Bonita Council approves Seagate’s Revana Lakes project

After years of debate, a Southwest Florida developer won approval from Bonita Springs City Council to build a luxury residential and commercial community along Bonita Beach Road. 

Council members on Oct. 15 voted 4-3 in favor of an ordinance allowing Seagate Development Group to move forward with plans to build Revana Lakes on 204 acres along Bonita Beach Road. It will include 299 homes, 80,000 square feet of retail and commercial and 20,000 square feet of office space. 

Seagate owns 114 acres of the property in Bonita Springs and 90 acres in Lee County. Revana Lakes was stalled because county officials have limited development on the land. It is part of the larger Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource area created in 1990 to protect water resources and limit urban sprawl. It allows a developer to build no more than one dwelling unit per 10 acres.  

Per Seagate’s request, the new ordinance allows Bonita Springs to annex the land and change its designation from DRGR to Urban Fringe Development. Seagate will be able to build at a higher density while Bonita Springs benefits from the development’s impact fees and boost to its tax base.  

It is a shift in policy that amends Bonita’s comprehensive plan, which would not allow Seagate to develop there. Bonita’s Local Planning Agency twice voted against the development because it was inconsistent with the comprehensive plan. Members worried that changing it would set a precedent. 

Seagate’s representatives argued that the 90 acres are not rural and no longer serve the DRGR area’s purpose because the land had been altered by mining, invasive vegetation and other qualities. It is also adjacent to dense development and other master planned communities.  

Residents packed Bonita City Hall for the decision. Some speakers during a public comment session worried the development will worsen traffic and flooding. Plans for Revana Lakes include a permitter berm that keeps water on-site before it is treated and released into the Kehl Canal and Imperial River Watershed.  

Many residents offered support for the project, including a real estate profess

ional who said it would boost property values. Others appreciated the planned retail features, including a grocery store.  

Seagate Chair Bill Price and his son, CEO Matt Price, sat near the front of the room to watch the proceedings. Matt Price was happy to hear residents speak in favor of the project. 

“I think that really goes to show the time and effort we put in,” he said. 

Bonita Springs Council members Jim Fitzpatrick, Chris Corrie and Jamie Bogacz cast dissenting votes. Fitzpatrick referred to Seagate as a model developer but was against an exception to Bonita’s comprehensive plan.  

“It established where we want to grow and what resources we want to protect,” he said. 

Council members voted against the development last year, but several changed their position. Jesse Purdon voted yes rather than let the project fall into Lee County hands. 

“This is going to happen with or without us,” he said. “… I’m a realist. We can minimize the impact and at least get the money.” 

Seagate representatives pointed to other benefits. The company plans to install a cell tower on the Revana Lakes property, an area known for spotty reception, and a new traffic light.  

Due to Florida’s 2023 Live Local Act, the property is also eligible for up to a 420-unit affordable housing development. But Seagate is a luxury developer. That alleviated some residents’ concerns that the property would be used for affordable housing. 

“They are the opposite of an affordable housing developer,” said Seagate representative Alexis Crespo with RVi Planning.