Catching Up With the Collier Commissioners
March/April 2025
Pedestrian safety, development, and affordable housing are some of the public policy areas addressed by Collier County’s Board of County Commissioners since my last Collier government update. In this post:
Pedestrian Safety
At their meeting on April 22, commissioners approved an ordinance banning certain electric bicycles (e-bikes) from sidewalks in unincorporated Collier County. Commissioner Dan Kowal, who had a 28-year career in law enforcement, proposed the changes. He had noticed increased use of e-bikes along sidewalks and pathways throughout the county and an uptick in accidents, and felt they must be regulated better. The new rules:
Set a speed limit for bicycles and e-bikes of 15 mph on public sidewalks.
Require riders over 16 to use bike lanes when available.
Require bicycles and e-bikes on shared pathways, including ones in parks and recreational areas, to yield to pedestrians and warn before passing.
Prohibit riders under 16 from operating Class 3 e-bikes (those with a top speed of 28 mph) on roads, bike paths, and shared pathways.
Allow adults to ride e-bikes on sidewalks only when supervising children under 16.
Require e-bike riders to stop for school buses while their stop arms are out, remain stopped, and not pass on the side where children enter or exit.
Require riders to stop and yield at open intersections and follow pedestrian signals on sidewalks.
Class 4 e-bikes (those with a top speed over 28mph or motor wattage over 750W) are prohibited on sidewalks, bike paths, and shared roadways/pathways.
For more, see 4/22 Agenda Item 9C; Naples Daily News.
Growth and Development
Golden Gate Golf Course Update
From The Clerk’s Report – April 2025:
The Gate Golf Club, on behalf of Arthrex and First Tee – Naples/Collier, presented the construction progress of the Golden Gate Golf Course at the BCC Meeting on March 25. The County purchased the property in 2019 for $29 million. The public golf course project has been delayed due to the previous developer’s financing challenges, which ultimately resulted in the termination of their contract.
On April 23, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners approved a new long-term lease and operating agreement with The Gate Golf Club, Inc., to continue the development of this project.
After nearly a year of securing funding and permits, The Gate Golf Club officially broke ground in February. The project consists of three phases running concurrently. Phase 1 involves the demolition and reconstruction of the maintenance and grounds facilities, which began two months ago. Phase 2, the construction of the 9-hole par-35 golf course, started in March with the removal of invasive vegetation and land clearing. Phase 3 will focus on developing “The Village,” which will include the First Tee Academy as the headquarters for First Tee – Naples/Collier, along with training centers, offices, gathering and event spaces, dining facilities, and a 30-bay covered driving range.
The Gate contract with the County includes provisions to make the golf course accessible and affordable to the community. The Gate will provide a resident discount of 40% on seasonal rates and 20% on off-season rates; the base rates are not yet set. The developer estimates the annual value of discounts to be $600,000.
With no expected interruptions from hurricanes and other natural disasters, the community golf course is on track for a Spring 2026 opening. We will continue to monitor the progress of this project.
For more information, visit thegategolf.org.
NC Square Mixed-Use Development Expansion
The developer of the NC Square mixed-use planned unit development near Immokalee Road and Twin Eagle Boulevard recently proposed reducing the commercial portion of its proposed retail/office strip from 44,400 to 36,500 square feet. In doing so, it would forego a day care center and increase the residential density from the approved 129 townhomes to 205 apartments.
After receiving dozens of emails opposing the change and hearing public comments at its April 8 meeting, the commissioners postponed a decision on the request until its May 13 meeting.
For more, see 4/8 Agenda Item 9A and 9B; 4/8 Vote Count; Gulfshore Business.
Zoning Appeals
When a developer or property owner wants to modify a property’s use, density, or intensity in a way not permitted by current law, the votes of four of the five commissioners are required to approve it.
At their March and April BCC meetings, commissioners unanimously approved:
the development of up to 400 dwelling units with affordable housing, up to 100,000 gross square feet of commercial and light industrial uses, and up to an additional 80,000 gross square feet of mini-warehouse use on property located north of Tamiami Trail East, approximately 1,000 feet west of the intersection of Tamiami Trail East and Recycling Way (Source: 3/25/25 Agenda Items 17A and 17B)
a proposal to build a 150-foot-tall monopole communications tower at 191 Weber Boulevard N on a parcel currently occupied by a Florida Power and Light electric substation and a conservation easement in Golden Gate Estates. The proposal deviates from the required 150-foot separation from residential property. (3/11/25 Agenda Item 8A)
Commissioners unanimously rejected:
a proposal to build a 350-foot-tall communications tower at the site of the Ochopee Fire Control Station off U.S. 41 East near the Everglades and Big Cypress Preserve. The decision came after strong opposition from residents, nearby tribal communities, and health and environmental advocates. (3/25 Agenda Item 8A; Naples Daily News)
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
From Commissioner Dan Kowal ‘s District 4 Newsletter – March 31, 2025:
Since January, the Board of County Commissioners has approved two new developments that will bring a total of 210 new affordable housing units to our community.
To explore available affordable housing options, click here and scroll three-quarters down the page to view our interactive map or click here for the list.
Guest House Rentals
At their March 11 meeting, commissioners discussed whether to permit the rental of guesthouses on lots that are zoned in the estates district (E) located west of Collier Boulevard if new requirements are met.
The change, which would require an amendment to the Land Development Code, was proposed by Commissioner Bill McDaniel as a way to increase the availability of housing.
After discussion and hearing from two public speakers, the commissioners decided not to pursue the recommendation.
For more, see 3/11/25 Agenda Item 11C; 3/11/25 Minutes.
DeSantis Appoints Four to the Collier County Housing Authority
The Collier County Housing Authority (CCHA) was created by the State legislature in 1966 with the purpose of providing decent and safe housing for eligible low-income families, including the elderly and people with disabilities. The CCHA is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Governor.
Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Randolph Cash, Danielle Hudson, Joseph Murgalo Jr., and Lindsey Touchette to the CCHA Board.
For more, see Press Release.
Other Commissioner Actions of Note
Collier County to Cooperate with DOGE
From Gulfshore Business:
The Board of County Commissioners on April 22 unanimously voted to support a resolution to support the Executive Office of the Governor’s DOGE Team. The resolution, authored by Commissioner Chris Hall [and amended by Commissioner McDaniel, appoints Hall] as a liaison to assist the team.
Hall said he wanted to send the resolution to the governor’s office “to let him know that we’re fully behind his efforts to eliminate any kind of wasteful government spending.”
For more, see 4/22 Agenda Item 10A.
Close Everglades Airpark?
The Collier County Airport Authority operates three airports: Marco Island Executive, Immokalee Regional, and Everglades Airpark. Acquired in 1968, Everglades Airpark has consistently operated at a loss.
County staff, through priority-based budgeting, are exploring options to address the losses, including potential decommissioning, which would enable reallocation of resources to the two profitable airports. Decommissioning the airport would require approval of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and, likely, additional costs.
After discussion at their March 11 meeting and hearing from 15 public speakers, including a representative of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the commissioners agreed to form an ad hoc committee to work with AOPA to identify ways to improve the airpark’s profitability.
At the same time, county staff will ask the FAA (1) what might be done to make the airpark eligible for grants, and (2) what costs would be involved in closing it.
For more, see 3/11/25 Agenda Item 16G2; 3/11/25 BCC Minutes; Gulfshore Business; Naples Daily News.
Baker Senior Center Naples Operations
On March 11th, the BCC approved the Baker Senior Center‘s request to allow expanded operating hours and a loosening of the requirement that it provide law enforcement presence for traffic control during its weekly Wednesday lunches.
Previously, the county required the Center to end its programs at 4:00 PM and close the building at 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Now it may be open until 9 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as two Saturdays a month and two Sundays a year.
The changes will enable the Center to offer programs and services to a broader range of older adults in the community, according to the Center’s CEO, Dr. Jacqueline Faffer.
For more, see 3/11/25 Agenda Item 17A; Baker Senior Center Social Bulletin.
FY 2026 Budget Policy
Commissioners heard presentations on February 25 on the FY 2026 budget policy, budget timeline, and the utilization of a priority-based budgeting approach. They held a Workshop on March 4 to discuss the Strategic Plan and Priority-Based Budgeting. And on March 11, they unanimously adopted a set of policies to be used in developing the County Government budget for FY 2026.
During the March 11 meeting, Commissioner Daniel recommended that “everybody read” the FY 2026 Recommended Budget Policies that were included in the meeting’s Agenda Packet. “It’s quite an education,” he said.
The budget will be developed over the next six months, with the maximum tentative millage rates adopted in July, taxable value certification and notices of proposed property taxes (TRIM notices) in August, and public hearings in September.
For more, see 3/11/25 Agenda Item 11A; 3/11/25 BCC Minutes.
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