Habitat homes expand in Golden Gate Estates development plan

An existing development in Golden Gate Estates can now grow from 231 units to 550 after approval of an increase in affordable homes that will be sold by Habitat for Humanity.  

Collier County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 14 to amend the Magnolia Pond Planned Unit Development on 19.6 acres on Magnolia Pond Drive, where the three- and four-bedroom Habitat homes will be built. The amendment received no opposition and was approved without discussion. 

The PUD is located on nearly 47 acres on the north side of Interstate 75, a half mile west of Collier Boulevard. It’s across Magnolia Pond Drive from Noah’s Landings Apartments, Mike Davis Elementary School and Golden Gate High School, with access on Magnolia Pond Drive.

The PUD currently allows 4.9 dwelling units per acre, but by utilizing the county’s Growth Management Plan’s Density Rating System and its Affordable Housing Density Bonus, the amendment increases that to 11.7 dwelling units per acre. 

The affordable homes will be located on the north side of Magnolia Pond Drive, while market-rate, multifamily rental apartments — to be built by Indiana-based Thompson Thrift — will be located on the remaining 27.5 acres on the south side of Magnolia Pond Drive. It’s adjacent to a luxury apartment complex called Everly that was developed by and built by KAST construction group.

Habitat purchased the property, nine parcels, in 2021 for $8 million.

The amendment was recommended by the Planning Commission and county staff, who agreed it will help Collier address the “continued need” for affordable, workforce housing. 

“This has proven to be a good formula for the bringing of actual owner-occupied affordable housing to Collier County at the lower income levels that are difficult for a for-profit builder to meet,” Rich Yovanovich, Habitat’s land-use attorney, told the Planning Commission in August.

County Planning & Zoning Director Mike Bosi called it “a great marriage,” telling planning commissioners that staff supports the amendment due to the affordable housing and multifamily apartment opportunities and the location, which will attract school-aged families.

The vote also allows the multifamily building height to increase from 38 feet zoned height (45 feet in actual height) to 57 feet zoned height and 65 feet in actual height — similar to the heights of homes to the west. County staff deemed the changes compatible with the neighborhood.

Habitat CEO Rev. Lisa Lefkow said construction is expected to begin in 2027, with plans for 210 affordable homes in three-story condominium buildings ranging from 12 to 24 units each. Of the 550 total homes, 165 will be reserved for residents earning at or below 80% of Collier County’s area median income of $113,600. The affordability requirement will remain in place for 30 years.

Amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse and pickleball courts. Roughly 9 acres will be set aside as a preserve.

Collier County’s land-development code typically requires affordable housing to be integrated throughout a development. However, commissioners approved the developer’s request for a deviation, allowing the affordable and market-rate projects to be built on opposite sides of the property.

The project team includes engineer Dan Waters and planning manager Chris Scott of Peninsula Engineering in Bonita Springs, environmental consultant Jeremy Sterk of Naples-based Earth Tech Environmental LLC and traffic engineer Norm Trebilcock of Trebilcock Consulting Solutions in Naples.