Loading...
Commissioner LoCastro ••---• CITY OF NAPLES p� a; OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER ON THE t }'; GULF ;r 735 EIGHTH STREET SOUTH °.a 0' NAPLES,FLORIDA 34102 (239)213-1030 October 14, 2025 Chairman Burt Saunders Commissioner Chris Hall Commissioner Dan Kowal Commissioner William McDaniel Commissioner Rick Lo Castro Dear Chairman Saunders and Commissioners, Re: BOCC Meeting of October 14, 2025, Agenda Item: Recommendation to consider directing the Zoning Director to sign a Florida Housing Finance Corporation "Local Government Verification that Development is Consistent with Zoning and Land Use Regulations" form in accordance with Florida Statutes 125.01055. "Gallery at Naples, LLC" I am writing on behalf of the Naples City Council, following direction provided to me late yesterday at the conclusion of a Council Workshop. While we are not expressing a position on the merits of the proposed 120-unit affordable housing development at 1465 Golden Gate Parkway (a 2.03-acre site), we do wish to reaffirm our support for the broader goal of increasing affordable housing in our community. However, we are deeply concerned that the established and valued process of community involvement, conducted through open and transparent public dialogue, appears at risk of being bypassed in this instance. This is especially troubling given the size, scope, and limited public awareness of the project, which is located directly adjacent to the City's borders. We have recently convened a meeting between City and County planning staff to promote greater information exchange and collaboration. Yet, the supporting documentation provided for this particular agenda item is notably limited. We are concerned that any action taken today could inadvertently hinder the City's ability to engage meaningfully in the project's development process moving forward. As you are aware, this project will require the City to provide critical services, including water, police, fire, and rescue support for approximately 120 families. Unfortunately, at this time, insufficient information is available on this project to assess the potential demands on these services or determine our capacity to meet them. Additionally, this is a unique lot configuration surrounded by distinctive and heavy traffic patterns. We are concerned about the traffic and access implications associated with this development, given the constraints of the proposed site. We currently lack the necessary data, given the limited information available on this project, to evaluate these impacts. Ethics above all else•Service to others before self• Quality in all that we do Page 1 of 2 Moreover, the City is in the midst of conducting a comprehensive and scientifically grounded traffic study, which has already highlighted significant strain along the Goodlette-Frank Road corridor, a situation that this project is likely to exacerbate. For these reasons, we respectfully request that, regardless of any action taken today, the Board of County Commissioners require the project's developer to provide the City and the broader community with a meaningful opportunity for input should the project proceed. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, 7-7 Gary L. Young City Manager 735 8th St. S — Naples, FL 34102 gyoung@naplesgov.com PHONE: 239-213-1030 Ethics above all else •Service to others before self• Quality in all that we do Page 2 of 2