With no public explanation or any debate from the dais of the Old Lee County Courthouse, all five Lee County commissioners voted to amend the comprehensive land-use plan to allow a sewer extension to Alva under the Caloosahatchee River.  

About 40 Alva residents spent more than two hours pleading with the commissioners not to approve sewer, which would allow Neal Communities the opportunity to ask for increased density on the 788 acres at a future hearing.  

County staff and Neal Communities agreed sewer would be better for the environment because it more effectively could eradicate nitrogen from entering waterways. Alva residents insisted a sewer spill under the river wasn’t worth the risk and modern septic tanks are just as effective. More homes would mean more pollution along the Caloosahatchee River, they argued.  

The decision clears the way for a clustered neighborhood of about 2.5 homes per acre (788 homes) on 315 acres adjacent to about 473 acres of conservation land. That density could rise to 3.5 homes per acre (1,099 homes) following a future hearing, according to a development order.  

Neal Communities pledged to fund the $10.9 million sewer extension.  

Commissioner Mike Greenwell, who recused himself from voting on the rezoning of his Alva land last year, didn’t recuse himself from this vote. He began the meeting by asking the county attorney if he had any reason to recuse himself, and the attorney said he didn’t.   

Lee County Communications Director Betsy Clayton did not answer questions regarding whether Greenwell’s future nearby shopping center would be able to connect to Neal’s sewer extension in future years.  

The edge of Greenwell’s property is about 2,500 feet from the beginning of the Neal sewer line, the property appraiser’s map shows. 

Retired Judge Keith Cary, whose family has lived on and raised cattle on those lands for four generations, was among those in favor of the sewer extension. The landowners intend to sell the land to Neal Communities following the approval process, Cary said.  

Neal already owns 342 acres that has been approved for 440 homes, an average of 1.2 homes per acre.   

“We came together and looked at options,” Cary said. “We decided not to pursue 788 individual ranchettes, each with its own water well.   

“We do not believe that septic or wells are good for the community. Even though our family has deep roots in North Olga, we have all had to face the reality that the character of State Road 31 has already changed.”   

Alva resident after Alva resident visited the podium as Neal sat directly behind them. They continually told commissioners the incoming sewer extension forever would change their home from paradise to becoming part of a sprawl they wanted to be protected against.  

Alva resident Darius Cochran pointed to all the septic tanks Lee County approved for the Lennar Homes community in Alva called Serengeti, which is even closer to the river than the new planned neighborhood.  

“Please don’t fool us and tell us you’re trying to save the environment by bringing 6,000 people to North River Road,” Cochran said. “I ask you guys to decide for the people who actually voted for you guys. Most everybody in here voted for you guys. And we feel like we’ve been stabbed in the back. What you did at Gunnery Road and Buckingham, we are fearful.”  

Alva resident Grant Fichter, who filed Jan.16 to run against Greenwell in the November election and announced his candidacy after the meeting, spoke against approving the sewer expansion.  

“I respect the property owners,” Fichter said. “This is not personal to me. I really want you all to prosper and sell your property and do what’s right for your family. That only makes sense. Certainly Mr. Neal bringing this impressive, dream team of planners and engineers to this table is pretty awesome. Pretty unbelievable.   

“But I’m here in opposition to this. I wanted to dispose of the narrative that these septic tanks are awful for the river. How can more sewage be better for the environment? I can’t rationalize that.”  

Steve Hartsell, an attorney with Pavese Law Firm, which represented Neal, rationalized that in his closing remarks. He said the community will preserve 52 acres of wetlands and will have 60% open space and will protect Owl Creek.   

“I appreciated the comment that the one gentleman made about finally getting the horse before the cart,” Hartsell said. “Because we’ve heard that so many times, the cart before the horse. No. This is the horse. This is the infrastructure that is needed within this area.”