A 650-home development planned for Majestic Oaks, a 433 acre cow pasture that was rezoned for residential use 15 years ago is environmentally friendly, according to its developer -- but not according to a planner living in the area.
'Environmentally, this is a very friendly project,' said developer Tom Bronson. That's not the opinion of two residents pushing for smarter growth. 'It's pretty consistent with good old-fashioned sprawl,' said Eugene Kelly, a planner with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Along with another district employee, Kelly has given presentations explaining the differences between good and bad development patterns. Because it houses more people on less land, high-density development is generally favored by planners, but only if it is near other densely developed or commercial area, Kelly said. The rural surroundings leave inefficient options for serving residents of the proposed subdivision, according to Kelly."
Thanks to Sheryl Stolzenberg
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