Fort Myers City Council approved the rezoning of 42.5 acres on 3851 and 3821 Colonial Blvd. and 3850 Winkler Ave. at a second public hearing Tuesday. 

The rezoning from the commercial general zoning designation to commercial intensive allows the applicant and property owner, Hope 97 LLC, to develop an HCA Healthcare hospital on the site. The proposed hospital is expected to be a general hospital with maternity and emergency room services. 

The property consists of seven vacant parcels south of Winkler Avenue, east of Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard, north of Colonial Boulevard and west of Umbria Lane. 

A total of 126 public notice letters were sent to property owners within 300 feet of the parcel with the site having the Lindsford and Castalina communities to the east and west of the property. 

The city’s planning board recommended approval in November, with one nay voter addressing the need for a traffic light at the intersection of Alderman’s Walk Boulevard and Winkler Avenue.  

“The primary concern that was brought before the planning board was the Lindsford traffic light, or the desire for Lindsford residents to have a traffic light at Alderman’s Walk Boulevard,” said Megan Strayhorn, attorney and legal counsel for the applicant. “Fortunately, thanks to you all on Dec. 5 at a city council [meeting], that was rectified.” 

At the December meeting, where permission to advertise for the rezoning of the site was approved, a Lindsford resident spoke on behalf of more than a dozen community members stating a need for a traffic light at the Alderman and Winkler intersection for public safety. 

The concern of a traffic light was satisfied at the December meeting, where a separate motion to implement the light was brought forth by council member Fred Burson and approved by council. 

The rezoning was approved unanimously, with no members of the public commenting on the item.