Recent Pine Island, Florida Land Use Decisions
Two recent decisions on Pine Island's land use regulations uphold our Pine Island land use plan and restrict increases in density on Agricultural Land. A group of Pine Island developers or large land owners brought a suit in Circuit Court that challenged the zoning regulations and Pine Island Plan as unconstitutional. This suit has recently been dismissed.
Another large agricultural land owner had applied for a special exception to create an apartment complex for farm worker housing that would have increased density and use on agricultural land. This application was opposed by the Greater Pine Island Civic Association, and was denied by the hearing examiner this month.
I am pleased the judicial process seems to be working in upholding our low density Pine Island Land Use Plan. I am opposed to "Special Exceptions" that contravene existing density regulations, whether for farm worker or millionaire housing.
When a person or entity buys land, it is up to the buyer to ascertain the permitted uses of that property according to present zoning regulations. They should not expect to be allowed to change the permitted use of the property or the zoning category (residential, agricultural, commercial etc.) simply for economic gain. If the present use allowed is not acceptable to them, they should not buy the property. That is one reason why it is important for land buyers to be fully informed.
I encourage land buyers to engage the services of both a real estate attorney and an accredited buyer's representative familiar with the area. I am an accredited buyer's...