Charlotte County commissioners will discuss updating a master plan for the Burnt Store Road corridor, which has experienced increased development over the last several years, at a March 19 workshop.
The 2005 master plan for the corridor was created at a time when there was a sparse population along the roadway.
Burnt Store Corridor Coalition represents more than 11,000 residents. Coalition Chairman John Fleming has been meeting with government officials at the local and state levels, seeking support to make changes along Burnt Store Road to solve several problems.
Fleming moderated a Feb. 8 meeting attended by officials from Charlotte and Lee counties, including Charlotte Commissioners Joe Tiseo and Chris Constance and Lee Commissioner Kevin Ruane.
Fleming asked officials from both counties to formulate a new comprehensive plan for the corridor to replace the 2005 plan, a hydrology study to address flooding concerns, widening of Burnt Store Road, wildlife protection and neighborhood commercial development.
“We are planning to update the BCC during an upcoming workshop,” Charlotte County Public Relations Manager Tracy Doherty said. “However, the BCC has not given us any direction to update the entire corridor study at this time.”
But changes are being made in areas the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition has been requesting.
Doherty said a drainage study will be conducted soon. The coalition has been asking for the hydrology study, citing concerns about flooding and rainwater runoff from the new developments.
Also, traffic concerns, including congestion and speeders, wildlife kills from traffic and a lack of commercial development, such as a supermarket, are issues the coalition seeks to resolve with an updated master plan.
Doherty said Public Works is updating a transportation element the coalition has requested and was provided by Director of Public Works John Elias.
Safe passage for wildlife crossing roads and signs for motorists were among the top issues the coalition addressed.
Doherty recently said Public Works “cleared out a critter-crossing pipe end and is working with an environmentalist to put up additional signage.”
At the Feb. 8 meeting, Ashley Cook, park manager for Alligator Creek at Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, said the preserve is the third largest in Florida, encompassing 46,000 acres. It is located along Burnt Store Road, and the area of the preserve has the highest concentration of roadkill, as the animals are struck by vehicles while attempting to return to their habitat.
She said Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center conducted a six-month study and said upward of 25 species were involved, including armadillos, raccoons, anhingas, gophers and other turtles and tortoises, hawks, bobcats, possums, vultures, coyotes, squirrels and cows.
She said while trying to reach habitat the animals are killed because the spots are fragmented by development.
In the updated master plan, the coalition seeks a designated wildlife corridor that connects to other communities, giving wildlife a safe passage, either through greenspace, overpasses or underpasses.
“Things have got to be proactive now,” Fleming said, adding that since development has greatly increased, it warrants commercial development for corridor residents.
With some homes in Burnt Store Lakes selling for prices in the $800,000s, he said those choosing to live along Burnt Store Road expect services and amenities.
Currently, residents must travel about 8 miles to Punta Gorda or Lee County to find a supermarket. While a previously sparse population was a reason why commerce was not coming to the area, that has since changed, Fleming said.
An owner of 40 acres zoned for agriculture seeks a rezoning to commercial with hopes of attracting a buyer who will build a supermarket and/or shops, Fleming said.
Meanwhile, he continues to lobby Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio and credits Rep. Greg Steube with securing a $2 million grant for Burnt Store Road’s improvements. Fleming is asking Rep. Byron Donalds to do the same for the Lee County portion of Burnt Store Road, so road widening can be completed.
At the Feb. 8 meeting, when a member of the public asked why the speed limit couldn’t be reduced, Elias said it would cause traffic backups, but mentioned a section of the road in Punta Gorda has already been reduced to a 35 mph limit.
A county study is underway to build an east-west corridor to reduce traffic volume on Burnt Store Road. Eventually, the road will be widened to six lanes, Elias said. Burnt Store Road was recently expanded to four lanes for the entire length of the road in Charlotte County.
Fleming also said he was pleased to see wildlife signs recently erected on Burnt Store Road.
The BOCC workshop starts at 9 a.m. March 19 at the County Administration Building. The next regular meeting when public comment is allowed is at 9 a.m. March 12.
