HEX Final Decision 2023-22Page 1 of 5
HEX NO. 2023-22
HEARING EXAMINER DECISION
DATE OF HEARING.
July 27, 2023
PETITION.
Petition No. PCUD-PL20230002616 – Northbrooke Plaza – Request for a determination that
the proposed use of an alternative learning and enrichment education facility is comparable
in nature to other permitted uses in Section III, Tract A, of the Northbrooke Plaza Planned
Unit Development (PUD) adopted by Ordinance Number 98-59. The subject property is
located at 2659 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119 also known as Northbrooke West, a
Commercial Condominium, Units 1107 and 1108, in Section 19, Township 48 South, Range
26 East, Collier County, Florida
GENERAL PURPOSE FOR THE PETITION.
The petitioner is seeking confirmation that the intended use of an alternative learning and
enrichment education facility is comparable with the several uses permitted as a matter of right in
the Northbrooke Plaza PUD in Section III, Tract A.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
Approval with conditions.
FINDINGS.
1. The Hearing Examiner has jurisdiction over this Petitioner pursuant to Sec. 2-87 of the Collier
County of Ordinances, Sec. 8.10.00 of the Land Development Code, and Chapter 9 of the
County Administrative Code.
2. The public hearing for this Petition was properly noticed and conducted in accordance with all
County and state requirements.
3. The public hearing was conducted electronically and in-person in accordance with
Emergency/Executive Order 2020-04.
4. The Petitioner and/or Petitioner’s representative executed the Hybrid Virtual Quasi-Judicial
Public Hearing Waiver related to conducting the public hearing electronically and in-person.
5. A Neighborhood Information Meeting (NIM), posting of a sign on the subject property, and a
mailing to surrounding property owners are not required. A newspaper advertisement for the
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Hearing Examiner public meeting is the only notice required (Administrative Code, Chapter
3L, and LDC §10.03.06. O) and was posted in the Naples Daily News on July 7, 2023.
6. The County Staff presented the Petition followed by the Petitioner and/or Petitioner’s
representative, public comment and then rebuttal by the Petitioner and/or Petitioner’s
representative. There were no objections at the public hearing.
7. The County’s Land Development Code Section 10.02.06.K lists the criteria for a comparable
use determination. The Hearing Examiner may approve a comparable use determination based
on the following standards, as applicable.1
1. The proposed use possesses similar characteristics to the other permitted uses in the zoning
district, overlay, or PUD, including but not limited to the following:
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the official
interpretation approved on June 30, 2009, for a different building in Tract A and
determined that the office and classroom use on Tract A of the PUD associated with the
main university campus on Tract B, is comparable and compatible with the uses allowed
by right in the Tract A. Furthermore, the proposed use in the subject property will involve
the operational characteristics of the school operator, such as:
i. Operating hours.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the operating
house during the school year will be Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
and during the summer, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These
operating hours are consistent with the proposed use and the educational enrichment
programs being offered. These proposed hours are comparable and consistent with other
uses allowed in Tract A.
ii. Traffic volume generated/attracted.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that minimal traffic
volume will be generated. Students’ drop-off and pickup are staggered throughout drop-
off/pickup hours, roughly an hour from 8-9 am for morning drop-off and 5-6 pm for
pickup. Only 3-4 cars will ever congregate at a time due to the staggered drop-off/pickup
windows, with a total of 20-25 vehicles moving through per day. The Transportation
Review verified approval of the traffic volume for the proposed use and that it is
consistent and comparable with other allowed uses in Tract A and won’t generate a
substantial increase in traffic volume.
iii. Type of vehicles associated with the use.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that 2-3 staff cars
and 2 vans will be parked during business hours. Customer/Parent drop off and pick up
1 The Hearing Examiner’s findings are italicized.
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times will add 3-4 cars to this. The vehicles to be used in association with the proposed
use have minimal impact on the existing transportation facilities located at the subject
property. The Transportation Review found the vehicles for the proposed use are
consistent and comparable with other allowable uses in Tract A.
iv. Number and type of required parking spaces.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that there will be no
change to the existing required parking spaces.
v. Business practices and activities.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the business
practices and activities will be After School Enrichment classes, Summer Camps, and
Single Day Camps These are the educational programs that are consistent with the
proposed educational uses for the subject property, this is consistent with other
educational service uses allowed in Tract A and is sufficient.
2. The effect the proposed use would have on neighboring properties in relation to the noise,
glare, or odor effects shall be no greater than that of other permitted uses in the zoning
district, overlay, or PUD.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that here will be no
negative impact regarding noise, glare, or odor effects on neighboring properties. The
proposed use will be interior to the facility on the subject property. This is consistent
with the proposed use on the subject property, since it will be interior to the existing
facility with no proposed exterior changes, there will be no negative effects of noise,
glare, or odor.
3. The proposed use is consistent with the GMP, meaning the applicable future land use
designation does not specifically prohibit the proposed use, and, where the future land use
designation contains a specific list of allowable uses, the proposed use is not omitted.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the proposed use
of a STEM based school is consistent with the GMP because it is located within an
interchange activity center. Those centers allow a full array of commercial uses,
residential uses, institutional uses, hotel/motel uses. The inclusion of a STEM based
school within this PUD would be classified as an institutional use, thus it is consi stent
with the FLUE.
4. The proposed use shall be compatible and consistent with the other permitted uses in the
zoning district, overlay, or PUD.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the use for office
and classroom uses associated with the main college campus of the existing Hodges
University, on Tract B, is comparable and compatible with the uses allowed by right in
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Tract A”, was decided in the Official Interpretation, INTP-PL2009000083, for
Northbrooke Plaza PUD. The provided zoning interpretation determined on June 30,
2009, that this use was consistent and compatible for another building on Tract A. Based
on the allowable uses listed in Ordinance 98-059, the educational service use of a STEM
based school is consistent and comparable to other uses allowed in Tract A.
5. Any additional relevant information as may be required by County Manager or Designee.
The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the students that
will be served by the proposed use, will be between 5 and 36 students at a time. The ages
of students that will be served are primarily elementary-age students 5 - 11 years old.
There will be no Pre-K students and no High School students. The educational use is for
a narrow demographic.
ANALYSIS.
Based on a review of the record including the Petition, application, exhibits, the County’s staff
report, and hearing comments and testimony from the Petitioner and/or the Petitioner’s
representative(s), County staff and any given by the public, the Hearing Examiner finds that there
is enough competent, substantial evidence as applied to the criteria set forth in Section 10.02.06.K
of the Land Development Code to approve this Petition.
DECISION.
The Hearing Examiner hereby APPROVES Petition Number PCUD-PL20230002616, filed by
Francesca Passidomo, Esq. of Coleman Yovanovich & Koester, P.A., representing Northbrooke
Professional Village, LLC with respect to the property as described in the Northbrooke Plaza
Planned United Development (PUD) adopted by Ordinance Number 98-59, as amended, located
at 2659 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119, also known as Northbrooke West, a Commercial
Condominium, Units 1107 and 1108, in Section 19, Township 48 South, Range 26 East, Collier
County, Florida for the following:
• A request for a determination that the proposed use of an alternative learning and enrichment
education facility is comparable in nature to other permitted uses in Section III, Tract A, of the
Northbrooke Plaza Planned Unit Development (PUD) adopted by Ordinance Number 98-59.
ATTACHMENTS.
None.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION.
See Ordinance Number 98-59, as amended, located at 2659 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119,
also known as Northbrooke West, a Commercial Condominium, Units 1107 and 1108, in Section
19, Township 48 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida
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CONDITIONS.
1. All other applicable state or federal permits must be obtained before commencement of the
development.
2. The ages of students that will be served are primarily elementary-age students 5 - 11 years
old. There will be no Pre-K students and no High School students.
3. The operating hours will be as follows: During the school year, Monday through Friday
from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; During the summer, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m.
DISCLAIMER.
Pursuant to Section 125.022(5) F.S., issuance of a development permit by a county does not in any
way create any rights on the part of the applicant to obtain a permit from a state or federal agency
and does not create any liability on the part of the county for issuance of the permit if the applicant
fails to obtain requisite approvals or fulfill the obligations imposed by a state or federal agency or
undertakes actions that result in a violation of state or federal law.
APPEALS.
This decision becomes effective on the date it is rendered. An appeal of this decision shall be done
in accordance with applicable ordinances, codes and law.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AND EXHIBITS: SEE CLERK OF COURT, MINUTES
AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT. DECISIONS OF THE HEARING EXAMINER FOR
VARIANCES, CONDITIONAL USES, AND BOAT DOCK EXTENSIONS SHALL BE
NOTED ON THE ZONING MAP FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES.
________________________ ____________________________________
Date Andrew Dickman, Esq., AICP
Hearing Examiner