Collier County approves Vi at Bentley Village expansion

Vi at Bentley Village, a North Naples resort-style senior living community, was granted a rezoning and density increase to remove and replace older condos with 834 new units over 15 to 20 years.  

Collier Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 28 unanimously approved a rezoning from The Retreat planned-unit development district to a mixed-use PUD that includes increasing its maximum density from 740 future dwelling units to 834, increasing its acreage from 150 to 208.5 and revising its outdated development standards. 

“Rejuvenating a senior living community requires a planned occupancy decline, not only in the occupied buildings intended for replacement but also in other residential buildings to create room for relocation of our residents from the buildings that are to come down,” said Nancy Tolan, Vi Living’s vice president of project design and management of development. “This increased number of dwelling units will allow us to manage that process with reduced inconvenience to the seniors, grandparents and great-grandparents we serve.” 

About 1,000 residents currently live in the community off U.S. 41, just north of Wiggins Pass near Bonita Springs. Managed by Chicago-based Vi Living, Bentley Village, originally developed in the 1980s, allows seniors to transition from independent living to assisted living, skilled nursing and memory support. The 156-acre community includes an 18-hole par-3 golf course, 12 miles of walking trails, biking trails, lakes, a pro shop, wellness center, restaurants and several clubhouses. 

Tolan noted that over the past 15 years, they’ve significantly reinvested in the community by repositioning health care centers and amenities and incrementally replacing nearly half the residential units. 

The vote came after one of The Retreat’s homeowner associations opposed the plans, citing concern it could impact their property and future development rights. But Tolan said that after they raised concerns at a neighborhood information meeting and other meetings, they amended their plans, which don’t change the rights or add restrictions to parcels Vi Living doesn’t own. 

Attorney Ashley Lupo, of Roetzel & Andress, said the HOA has an obligation under its declaration to consent and support the PUD amendment if they meet the criteria. She noted they do, and plans were approved by county staff and the county Planning Commission with a unanimous vote. If the HOA wants to make changes, she said, it can go through the same process.  

Planner Bob Mulhere, of Bowman Consulting, said just over 200 units remain available under the county’s growth management plan. The approved plans allow buildings up to three stories over parking and do not exceed 40 units per acre. He added that enhanced vegetative buffers, including along the southern boundary next to Audubon Country Club, will be added and vegetation in three tracts will exceed county requirements. 

Douglas Stather, chair of the community’s Residents’ Council, and its finance committee chair, Sue Goodwin, told commissioners they support the plans and urged approval.  

“We’ve been very pleased with the strength and the dedication of the leadership, and how they’ve particularly focused on robust methods to maintain the campus, beautiful landscaping, keeping the code up and maintaining the buildings,” Goodwin said. “They systematically are planning for our renewal and for the long-term planning of our village, and we appreciate that very much.” 

Commissioner Chris Hall made the motion to approve after pointing out the HOA’s concerns over a preserve requirement were satisfied by moving the requirement to three other tracts. 

The project team also includes civil engineer Terry Cole, of Bowman Consulting, transportation engineer Norman Trebilcock, of Trebilcock Consulting Solutions, ecologist Bethany Brosious, of Passarella & Associates, and attorney Amy Thibaut of Roetzel & Andress.