On Friday, March 16th the city released the results from the ZVL Request (ZVL=Zoning Verification Letter). You can read the complete response here...Click Here But be warned!... It is 71 pages and 18MB. If you would like to read the shortened version (13 Pages & 3MB) Click Here
Here is what we know...
#1 The ZVL appears to indicate that the City thinks a homeless shelter is ALLOWED on the property.
#2 There is a contract pending on the property and this ZVL was likely necessary to confirm that purchaser could use the property for a shelter or related use.
#3 The attorney that requested the ZVL is the same attorney who opposed the City's attempt to regulate shelter locations and operations.
#4 The City's current Land Development Code does not contain adequate safeguards to ensure that a shelter is compatible with the surrounding land uses. This needs to change immediately.
#5 City Council admitted it has no way to regulate the operation of a shelter and agreed it needed to pass an ordinance to do so. It is negligent for the City to allow a shelter to be constructed when it is aware that the adequate safeguards are not in place.
WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO:
#1 We need to get the word out that there is a very real possibility that this shelter could be constructed next to the school. FACT... If they sell the land right now, there is nothing in place to stop them from building!
#2 Talk to your neighbors and friends all across Bonita Springs. Educate them that the project is still moving forward. Encourage them to sign up for our email list to keep informed.
#3 Contact the Mayor and City Council urging them to place a moratorium on issuing any building permits for shelter or related uses until such time the Bonita Springs Land Development Code is revised to incorporate appropriate setbacks and buffering for such uses and until the ordinance regulating the use is passed.
#4 Please donate and encourage others to donate. The only way we will have any chance to prevent the City from allowing a use that is clearly incompatible with its surrounding uses is to work with a lawyer experienced in land use to challenge the City's interpretation of the zoning and to force the City to adopt the regulations necessary to prevent a shelter from being approved when it is so clearly incompatible with the surrounding uses.
(Use the PayPal Link Above)
#1 The ZVL appears to indicate that the City thinks a homeless shelter is ALLOWED on the property.
#2 There is a contract pending on the property and this ZVL was likely necessary to confirm that purchaser could use the property for a shelter or related use.
#3 The attorney that requested the ZVL is the same attorney who opposed the City's attempt to regulate shelter locations and operations.
#4 The City's current Land Development Code does not contain adequate safeguards to ensure that a shelter is compatible with the surrounding land uses. This needs to change immediately.
#5 City Council admitted it has no way to regulate the operation of a shelter and agreed it needed to pass an ordinance to do so. It is negligent for the City to allow a shelter to be constructed when it is aware that the adequate safeguards are not in place.
WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO:
#1 We need to get the word out that there is a very real possibility that this shelter could be constructed next to the school. FACT... If they sell the land right now, there is nothing in place to stop them from building!
#2 Talk to your neighbors and friends all across Bonita Springs. Educate them that the project is still moving forward. Encourage them to sign up for our email list to keep informed.
#3 Contact the Mayor and City Council urging them to place a moratorium on issuing any building permits for shelter or related uses until such time the Bonita Springs Land Development Code is revised to incorporate appropriate setbacks and buffering for such uses and until the ordinance regulating the use is passed.
#4 Please donate and encourage others to donate. The only way we will have any chance to prevent the City from allowing a use that is clearly incompatible with its surrounding uses is to work with a lawyer experienced in land use to challenge the City's interpretation of the zoning and to force the City to adopt the regulations necessary to prevent a shelter from being approved when it is so clearly incompatible with the surrounding uses.
(Use the PayPal Link Above)
