<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Zng2S_1GzZUp1T00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Zng2S_1GzZUp1T00" width="1200" height="675" ><figcaption>The South Naples Citrus Grove market at 341 Sabal Palm Road in East Naples is part of a property proposed for an 18-hole private golf course. A missed state deadline has forced Collier County to restart public hearings on the development, which has faced opposition from residents and environmentalists. Harriet Howard Heithaus</figcaption></figure>A developer’s plans to build an upscale members-only golf course on a failing 169-acre citrus grove in East Naples hit another roadblock after the state rejected the proposal because of a missed deadline.As a result, Collier County will have to hold four more public hearings from December through May for the proposed 18-hole golf course and club at 341 Sabal Palm Road, where South Naples Citrus Grove operates a citrus stand.“This was not rejected because of environmental concerns, this was not rejected because of transportation concerns, this was not rejected because of water management concerns — or any other reason other than it was a procedural due-process step,” Collier Planning &amp; Zoning Director Mike Bosi told commissioners at their Nov. 10 meeting.In an Oct. 7 letter, the Florida Department of Commerce alerted the county that it should have acted within 180 days after FloridaCommerce’s review of the proposed Growth Management Plan amendment was returned to the county July 2, 2025.“If the local government fails to hold the second public hearing within 180 days after receipt of agency comments, the amendment shall be deemed withdrawn unless extended by agreement with notice to the state land planning agency,” the letter noted, citing state law. “FloridaCommerce did not receive any such notice.”Since receiving the letter, county officials and developer SWJR Naples I LLC’s land-use attorney, Rich Yovanovich, spoke with state officials, but they stood by the decision. Bosi said the county had asked for an extension in December 2025, a month before county commissioners continued the hearings.In January, Rubinton, through SWJR Naples I LLC, withdrew initial plans for 423 homes, including affordable units, after an outcry from residents. Rather than voting to deny the proposal, commissioners urged the developer, landowners and residents to work on a more palatable solution, including a possible purchase by Conservation Collier. But the roughly $8 million offer was turned down because it was less than half what the landowners hoped for.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3fmiNN_1GzZUp1T00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3fmiNN_1GzZUp1T00" width="946" height="532" ><figcaption>A map highlights the Sabal Palm Road property in East Naples, where a developer plans to build an 18-hole private golf course. A missed state deadline has forced Collier County to restart the approval process, requiring four additional public hearings through May. Collier County government</figcaption></figure>Bosi said county officials asked the state to accept the January continuance as an extension and accept the Growth Management Plan amendment, but that request was refused. They also asked whether the state could accept the later July and September hearings as transmittal hearings.“They had indicated that they had done that once before in Miami-Dade and then litigation arose,” Bosi said. “They said that the county needed to start back at square one.”Bosi took responsibility, saying he and the applicant’s representative should have asked for an additional extension after the January meeting. He’s now asked the IT department to create an automatic reminder to prevent a similar situation.County Attorney Jeff Klatzkow contended “the state got it wrong,” but said a lawsuit could take two to four years, during which developers could build something else. He agreed with Bosi that the “fastest way to cure this” is to take the proposal back through public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners.Developer Jon Rubinton plans to move ahead with the golf course proposal, which is scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission on Dec. 3, followed by county commissioners on Jan. 26 and two more hearings April 1 and May 11. The Board of County Commissioners is expected to vote on adoption and submittal to the state at the final hearing.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3H4iig_1GzZUp1T00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3H4iig_1GzZUp1T00" width="474" height="266" ><figcaption>An aerial view outlines the citrus grove at 341 Sabal Palm Road in East Naples, where a developer proposes an 18-hole private golf course. A missed state deadline has forced Collier County to restart the approval process, requiring four additional public hearings through May. Collier County government</figcaption></figure><h2>Failed citrus grove</h2>The land is about 1.4 miles east of Collier Boulevard, near Picayune Strand State Forest and the Verona Walk and Tamarindo communities. The course will be similar to Calusa Pines Golf Club in Golden Gate Estates and Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, which hosts the Masters Tournament. New York-based Audubon International, which is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society, is a nonprofit that promotes sustainable practices.South Naples Citrus Grove had operated on the land since 1979, but citrus greening left the grove unproductive. The Smits family and in-law Henry Jacobs, all past retirement age, wanted to sell. The produce stand, which also sells juice, marmalade and orange soft-serve ice cream, still operates under Jacobs but is temporarily closed until the season gets underway.The unanimous Sept. 22 decision by the Board of County Commissioners followed a roughly four-hour hearing in which more than two dozen residents and environmentalists opposed development.As a result, Yovanovich made concessions, agreeing not to build the 10 cottages with up to four bedrooms, adding a deed restriction limiting the property to golf course uses and restricting the clubhouse to 10,000 square feet. The developer also agreed to install drainage culverts along Sabal Palm Road and work with the developer of nearby Tamarindo to help alleviate flooding issues. That approval was sent to the state for review.The vote came a month after the county Planning Commission recommended rezoning the agricultural property and amending the county Growth Management Plan to allow the private golf course, which also includes a driving range, putting greens and practice facilities, as well as possible maintenance, recreation and administrative buildings, gazebos, nature trails, picnic areas and boardwalks.The agricultural designation had restricted building to one home per 40 acres because the property is in the Rural Fringe Mixed-Use District, which has protected environmental status — a “sending area” that restricts development.The state decision gave residents hope again.“Many residents hope that this ‘do-over’ will result in the Smits reapplying to Conservation Collier — the ideal solution for Florida wildlife,” said neighboring resident Chris Briggs, whose Change.org petition garnered 3,045 signatures, one of several petitions opposing development.</div></body>

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A developer’s plans to build an upscale members-only golf course on a failing 169-acre citrus grove in East Naples hit another roadblock after the state rejected the proposal because of a missed deadline. As a result, Collier County will have to hold four more public hearings from December through...

State rejects Collier golf course plan over missed deadline

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A developer’s plans to build an upscale members-only golf course on a failing 169-acre citrus grove in East Naples hit another roadblock after the state re

State rejects Collier golf course plan over missed deadline

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