Council recognized Estero students, Finance Department, and reviewed local development projects on Jan. 21, 2026
Kyle Gustave (center) surrounded by his family, Estero High School Principal, Lee County School Board member and Council. Mayor Joanne Ribble presented Estero High School student Kyle Gustave with a letter of recognition as an exceptional student at Estero High School who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and character. Kyle maintains an outstanding 4.49 GPA while balancing a demanding schedule as a four-year varsity football player, a full-time dual enrollment student at Florida Southwestern State College and working a minimum of 20 hours per week. Aiden Jensen is surrounded by his parents, Bonita Springs High School principal, Lee County School Board [Read More.]
Burn ban announced for all of Lee County on Jan. 20, 2026
Lee County has enacted a burn ban for unincorporated Lee County and municipalities effective immediately due to increasingly dry conditions throughout Southwest Florida. The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to enact the ban at a regularly scheduled meeting today. The county’s ordinance bans “outdoor burning ignition sources,” including campfires, bonfires and trash burning. Grills for food are not included. Officials ask all county residents to be mindful of dry conditions and to use good judgment to mitigate potential for significant wildfires. The Florida Forest Service offers residents information and tips at: Be Wildfire Ready: fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Fire-Prevention/Be-Wildfire-Ready Ready, Set, Go! Resources: fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Fire-Safety/Ready-Set-Go!-Resources For the [Read More.]
Kiker and Flint Pen Strand preserves contract approved by Lee County Commissioners
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted January 20, 2026, to award a contract for design and permitting of improvements for the Kiker Preserve & Flint Pen project to improve regional flood control, restore flow ways, protect habitat, improve water quality and enhance aquifer recharge. The Lee Board of County Commissioners acquired the 3,921 acres of what would become Kiker Preserve for $42 million in 2017. The property was renamed in honor of Commissioner Larry Kiker in 2019 shortly after his death. He was advocate of preserving the land for its environmental significance. The site contains significant natural flow ways, [Read More.]
Update on Estero development projects among topics for Council on January 21, 2026
Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, recognizing two Estero students and the Village Finance Department for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by Government Finance Officers Association. Action items include a purchase order for Ditch/Swale Cleaning & Maintenance Services, and a Code Enforcement lien reduction request. There will be public hearings for a rezoning of 4741 Broadway Avenue West and an ordinance adopting revisions to the Land Development Code regarding landscaping requirements and expiration of development orders. This will be followed by Workshops updating Council on development projects in Estero and the Planning, Zoning & Design Board’s [Read More.]
Estero Fire Rescue and Waypoint Apartments among projects addressed by the Planning, Zoning & Design Board on Jan. 13, 2026
Public Information Meetings Estero Fire Rescue Applicants for Estero Fire Rescue presented a request to add 4.6± acres to the existing property at Three Oaks Parkway for parking and construction of a 36 foot tall 10,000 square foot covered/enclosed storage facility. This request also includes minor additions to the existing fire house and revisions to the existing parking area to accommodate access to the additional property. Public comment: 5 residents expressed concerns regarding adjacent property values and the environment. No voting occurs during public information meetings. Waypoint Apartments at Coconut Point Mall The applicant is requesting to redevelop the closed [Read More.]
Waypoint Apartments at Coconut Point Mall among topics for the Planning Zoning & Design Board on Jan.13, 2026
The Board will start their meeting at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, with public information meetings for Estero Fire Rescue requesting the addition of 4.6± acres for parking and covered storage at their Three Oaks Parkway site, and Coconut Point Mall’s request to redevelop Muvico Theater for a 365-unit apartment building, garage and parking area. The Board will then conduct public hearings for Bonita Smoke Shop & Cigar Lounge in Coconut Point Mall and an ordinance pertaining to a Land Development Code amendment. The full agenda is available here. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, [Read More.]
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Council recognized Estero students and addressed utility expansion project funding on December 17, 2025
Sydney Ghannam (center) surrounded by her father, teachers, Estero High School Principal, Lee County School Board members and Council. Mayor Joanne Ribble presented Estero High School student Sydney Ghannam with a letter of recognition for her outstanding achievements and positive contributions to the community. An active member of multiple clubs and a committed athlete, she demonstrates exceptional initiative, collaboration and the ability to balance academics and extracurriculars with maturity. Trey Bronson is surrounded by his parents, Bonita Springs High School principal, Lee County School Board member and Council Mayor Joanne Ribble presented Estero resident and Bonita High School student Trey [Read More.]
Village utility expansion funding among topics for Council on December 17, 2025
Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, recognizing two high school students from Estero. Action items include a water monitoring contract, Village funding for utility expansion projects for Sandy Grove and Cypress Bend, Broadway Ave. West drainage improvements, and Sports Park update. There will be a first reading for ordinances for a Broadway Avenue West rezoning and amending the Land Development Code. There will be second reading of an ordinance amending the Village Code related to special assessments. The full agenda is available here. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, near [Read More.]
Chick-fil-A and Coconut Point Mall addressed by the Planning, Zoning & Design Board on December 9, 2025
Public Hearing Chick-fil-A The applicant was requesting to build a 5,695 square foot Chick-fil-A restaurant to be constructed at the site of the former Perkins restaurant at The Shoppes at Grande Oak. They plan to demolish the existing Perkins Restaurant and reconfigure the property for a 1-story Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant with dual-lane drive thru on the corner of Corkscrew Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. The building will provide seating for 70 indoors, with seating for 16 outdoors. The proposed architecture is Mediterranean Revival, with stucco finishes and Spanish barrel plastic composite roof tiles. Public comment: 2 eComments were [Read More.]