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Lee County Community Development

e-Newsletter

AUGUST 2008
 

Lee population increased by 8,000 in 2007

The population of Lee County is officially 623,725 according to the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida.

The bureau issues an annual population report for the State of Florida based on April population figures.  Tuesday, the bureau reported that Lee County’s permanent population grew by approximately 7,984 people based on the April 2008 study.  The growth rate is substantially slower than during the 12 months ending April 2007, when Lee’s population increased by an average of 82 people a day.

The population of unincorporated Lee County was estimated at 329,279, an increase of 1.35 percent or 4,394 residents.

During the 12 months ending in April 2008, Bonita Springs had the fastest pace of growth at 3.4 percent.  Bonita’s population grew by 1,533 to 46,681.

Fort Myers Beach had the only decline in growth rate.  Its population fell by 1.55 percent.  The bureau estimates that 6,928 people live on Fort Myers Beach, 109 less than last year.

The recently released figures are subject to input from local jurisdictions.

Here are the preliminary estimates of permanent population as of April 2008 for Lee County:

Renewal of Certificates of Competency for contractors doing business in Lee County is under way and will continue through Sept. 30.  After that, late fees increase monthly through March 31, 2009.

At www.lee-county.com/dcd/contractorlicensing, renewals can be done easily online.  You will need current certificates of insurance for general liability and for Workers Compensation or an exemption.

The fee for renewal is $24 for journeyman, $90 for all trades, and $100 for general, building and residential contractors.  Make checks payable to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.

If your certificate of competency is not renewed or placed on voluntary inactive status by March 31, 2009, it will expire.  Expired certificates require re-filing and approval by the Contractor Licensing Board to renew.

If you are not able use the online renewal system, please call (239) 533-5895.

New flood maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will become effective on Thursday, Aug. 28.

These maps establish new floodways in which construction is restricted by federal policy.  Development permits in floodways will be affected by these new maps.  Building permits to be issued in projects with already-approved Zoning Resolutions and Development Orders may still be subject to special conditions as a result of these new maps.  The use of fill will be restricted in the new floodways.

Anyone with an interest in a parcel that is in a newly designated floodway is urged to contact Lee County to discuss the impact these maps may have on Zoning Resolutions, Development Orders or building permits.  Call Joan LaGuardia at (239) 533-8705.

The maps also establish base flood elevations for Special Flood Hazard Areas.  The status of properties throughout Lee County floodplains may have changed as a result of these maps.

View the maps online at http://www.lee-county.com/dcd/fema.htm. To download GIS shape files, go to http://leegis.leegov.com/GISData.htm.

Local Planning Agency
Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m. in Commission Chambers, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers, review of proposed amendments to the Lee Plan and to the Land Development Code, creation of Chapter 12, Resource Extraction. Read proposed Chapter 12 amendments at http://lee-county.com/dcd/CommunityPlans/SELC_DRGR/LDCch12.pdf.

Board of County Commissioners
Aug. 26, 5:05 p.m. in Chambers, public hearing on proposed amendments to the Land Development Code, creation of Chapter 12, Resource Extraction.

Sept. 5, 1 p.m. in Chambers, special meeting for public input on the Dover, Kohl and Partners DR/GR study, “Prospects for Southeast Lee County.”  Read the report at http://www.lee-county.com/dcd/CommunityPlans/SELC_DRGR/FinalReport.htm

Executive Regulatory Oversight Committee
Sept. 10, 2 p.m., Community Development/Public Works Center, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, review of proposed road impact fee amendments.

Land Development Code Advisory Committee
Sept. 12, 8 a.m., Community Development/Public Works Center, review of proposed road impact fee amendments.

Please join us in congratulating Department of Community Development employees who recently received length-of-service awards for 10 or more years of service:

20 years – Bryan Kelner, Zoning Division
15 years – Julie Ende-Killion, Permitting Services, and Len McCabe, Code Enforcement
10 years – Linda Ramsey, Plan Review

During July, Lee County Community Development issued permits for 49 single-family homes valued at $16.8 million to be built in unincorporated Lee County.  In comparison, there were 56 permits for single-family homes issued in June and 119 issued in July 2007. 

There were 24 multi-family units permitted in unincorporated Lee County during July, compared to 14 the previous month and 18 in July 2007.

Permits were issued for 8 new commercial buildings valued at $2.7 million in unincorporated Lee County, compared to $12.6 million the previous month.  In July 2007, newly permitted commercial buildings were valued at $4.5 million.

Permit numbers for Unincorporated Lee County no longer include Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach.

To see detailed permit reports, go to http://www.lee-county.com/DCD/Reports/ReportsMain.htm.