Taking Care of Family, Clients & Community for Three Decades
Let's Connect

Concerned citizens and community groups to speak as public comments begin at hearing on rezoning of the Troyer Brothers property on SR82 for mining

Concerned residents and businesses are now speaking as public comments begin for the Lee County Hearing Examiner’s meeting on the proposed rezoning of the 1,790-acre Troyer Brothers property on SR82 near Homestead Road in Lee County for limerock mining. This portion of the hearing will continue through 4:30 p.m. today, June 28, and will then reconvene at 9 a.m. on June 29. Concerned businesses and residents in Lee County are encouraged to speak on June 29 at the Lee County Hearing Examiners Office, 1500 Monroe St., 2nd floor in Fort Myers, and to visit NoMineOn82.com. The public may participate in the hearing during public comments or may contact the hearing examiner at hex@leegov.com.

With concern for increased traffic, noise pollution, silica dust pollution and environmental threats as a result of mining trucks and activity, nearby property owners have organized a campaign, NoMineon82, opposing the rezoning request.

According to a traffic study from the applicant’s proposal, the proposed mine will bring increased traffic to SR82. The study forecasts that a dump truck will enter or exit the mine entrance every 40 seconds on SR82, and nearly 2,000 dump truck trips will happen daily along SR82 in Fort Myers.

Additionally, the opposition cites Lee County’s most recent mine study, The Waldrop 2016 report, citing current limerock supplies are sufficient for the next 20-50 years to meet local and regional growth needs.

With concern for the environmental impacts, Kelly McNab, Environmental Planning Specialist at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has said, “By its very nature, limerock mining results in ecologic impact to hydrologic flowways and wildlife. The Army Corps of Engineers identified the Density Reduction/ Groundwater Resource (DR/GR) area as containing important wetland and species habitat, as it is adjacent and in proximity to several conservation and mitigation lands. This portion of Lee County has also been identified as important habitat for the endangered Florida Panther. This habitat is critical for supporting the only known breeding population of Florida panthers in the world. There has been significant public and private investment in adjacent and nearby conservation lands, which would be needlessly put at risk by allowing mines in these locations.”

Following the hearing, the examiner will make a recommendation to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, which holds a second hearing and makes the final decision on whether to approve or decline the request.

For more information, visit http://nomineon82.com/.

Share now!

More To Explore