Many Punta Gorda area residents are asking the Charlotte County Commissioners, “Why have you approved several thousand new homes to be built along Burnt Store Road??” Not to mention big developments on Tuckers Grade, Jones Loop Road, and in Tropical Gulf Acres. Good question!!
During the Covid pandemic from 2020 through 2022, we had an unprecedented home buying frenzy in SW Florida (I hope you read my article in the June issue of this publication … it is available online).
Big real estate development companies and huge national builders presumed that there is demand for thousands of residential homes in Punta Gorda, and they bought huge tracts of agriculture-zoned properties (many former citrus groves) and received county permits to build thousands of new homes here.
There are two philosophies that favor such radical residential expansion: 1) the authorities should not restrict landowners’ right to sell their property, nor should they restrict the buyer from the right to develop said property into residences; 2) the county stands to gain millions of dollars in revenue from these future homeowners.
However, one must question whether the county authorities have considered such vital issues as freshwater availability, waste-water sewer handling capacity, stormwater drainage, and density regulations for emergency evacuations??
The Burnt Store Road Coalition (http://www.bsccfl.com) was created a few years ago consisting of concerned citizens who are demanding answers to these questions, a very noble quest. Hopefully it is not too late to change any of this messy situation. I encourage all civic-minding people to join the Burnt Store Coalition and the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (http://www.swfrpc.org) to stay informed and influence the political powers that control these important matters.
Thanks!
Rick Stewart, Realtor
