On land with few uses, mines force difficult decisions

Mining continues to be a sensitive issue in the east Corkscrew Road rural community. Considering that there are three proposed new sites and a lawsuit over the restrictions of a fourth site, we should dig a little deeper (pardon the pun) to see how mining affects growth and development in this area.

Mining is one of the few acceptable uses for some of the land east of I-75 in Estero that is designated by Lee County as Density Reduction Groundwater Resource (DRGR). However, mining east of I-75 can also significantly impact residents in western Estero because of the traffic and noise from dump trucks hauling materials from the mines.

Trucking through residential areas is already an issue in Bonita Springs, where residents have complained to city officials that trucks shipping deliveries of goods and materials on their streets have become a nuisance.

On the flip side, there are economic implications to consider as well because mining supports the local economy. There also may be a supply crisis due to a possible mining ban in an area northwest of Miami-Dade County known as the Lake Belt, which could severely limit the supply of mined materials and rock in Florida.

If a federal judge stops the mining, the price of quality rock could double unless new mining sites are permitted. The construction industry has already been hit hard enough by high material costs resulting from supply shortages. A rock shortage would be another blow not only to the industry but would be passed on to the consumer as well.

There are three proposed new mines along the north side of Corkscrew Road, all of which have applications pending with the county. Youngquist Brothers proposed to mine sand on a 1,356-acre site and Estero Group Ltd. proposed to mine fill dirt at a 318-acre site further east. Golfrock LLC proposed blasting for rock at its 255-acre site, which would then be developed as a low-density residential subdivision and/or possibly a golf course.

Schwab Materials is suing Lee County for $18 million over anti-blasting rules adopted in 2002. Schwab is seeking the fair market loss of value of its 637-acre property on Corkscrew Road caused by the anti-blasting ordinance. The site was intended to mine for limestone at a greater depth than is now allowable.

Estero's leadership council has voted to work with the community on addressing any issues resulting from the expansion of mining activities. In addition to noise and traffic, there are environmental concerns due to potential disruption of water flow-ways around the mines, among other possible disturbances to the ecosystem. County planners are in the midst of reassessing where land is most suitable for industrial uses such as mining, including the undeveloped areas to the east. Until then, the best possible compromise remains elusive for now.

— Frank D'Alessandro is a real estate broker with Gates D'Alessandro & Woodyard, LLC, Commercial Realtors. Readers may contact him via e-mail at fdalessandro@dw-cr.com or by calling (239) 425-6000.

Website provided by ImageGrafix - Computer and Network Systems - Site Hosting Solutions
© Copyright  2003 ImageGrafix. All Rights Reserved.