UPDATED TIME: Commissioner Nance to Hold Meeting in Ave Maria
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Published on Saturday, 27 September 2014 19:54
Collier County Commissioner Tim Nance, who represents the district that includes the town of Ave Maria, will be in town Wednesday, Oct. 1, to talk to residents in advance of an Oct. 14 commission meeting that will hear proposals for land-use changes. (Right, Commissioner Nance at the official ribbon cutting opening Collier Family Farms in January, 2013)
A number of residents have expressed concerns that the changes, which will create a 144-acre commercial/industrial park on the south edge of town along Oil Well Rd., have the potential to change the character of the town and that there has not been sufficient discussion between the residents and the developers about the plans.
The Collier County Planning Commission approved the plans Sept. 18 after developers agreed to construct a large berm to separate the commercial area from the abutting Del Webb neighborhood. A community organization, the Ave Maria Community Alliance, was formed soon afterward seeking more resident involvement in the plans.
Commissioner Nance said in an interview that he is eager to talk to residents and is looking at a number of aspects involving the proposed changes, including financial state of Ave Maria and the county's need overall for more commercial development.
"Ave Maria has struggled," he said. "I think the Barron Collier Company [a partner with Ave Maria University founder Tom Monaghan in developing the town] is trying figure out how to make the town economically healthy."
The meeting with Commissioner Nance is open to everyone and is at 5:30 pm Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Del Webb Oasis Club.
Click here for Ave Herald story on the planning commission approving the changes.
Click here for Ave Herald story on formation of the Ave Maria Community Alliance.
