Action Alert: Help Save the Pine Island Plan

ACTION ALERT from the Greater Pine Island Civic Association: Comp Plan Change Update

September 13, 2026

Take Action Today: Tell County Commissioners that You DO NOT Support Changes to the Comp Plan!

These changes would include the wholesale elimination of the Pine Island Plan that guides development on Pine Island and Matlacha and remove the requirement that developers hold public information sessions in the communities where they are proposing to build. Sixteen other Lee County communities are similarly impacted.

When GPICA heard the news and saw the extensive changes that county planners were proposing on Aug. 25, we jumped into action:

• We created a coalition of community and civic groups from across Lee County to speak against these changes with a united voice.
• The Lee Communities Coalition is now working together to advocate for the plans that our communities worked so hard to develop. GPICA Vice President Nadine Slimak is coordinating the coalition, which includes Alva, Inc., the Buckingham Community Association, Captiva Civic Association, Captiva Community Panel, Concerned Citizens of Bayshore, Inc., the Greater Pine Island Water Association and the Matlacha Civic Association (and more are joining!);
• GPICA Board members, including Chris, Steve, Sue and Deb, have attended and spoken against these changes before Lee County Committees and Advisory Boards;
• We developed a new Coalition website — LeeCommunities.com— that outlines the changes and provides the information you need to take action.

Some Early Successes

• The Media is paying attention to this issue and reporters have written and aired numerous stories to help educate the community.
• Residents are writing letters and attending meetings. Nearly 100 people spoke against these changes during the Aug. 31 hearing before the Local Planning Agency. It was amazing to see such a large turnout just a few days after the revisions and changes were shown to the public for the first time on Aug. 25.
• Our District 1 Commissioner, Kevin Ruane, has told us he will be voting AGAINST these changes!

But the Fight is Far From Over & We Need Your Help!

• We need you to keep calling, keep writing and keep meeting with Lee County Commissioners to tell them you are AGAINST these changes. Please keep the pressure on Districts 2-5.
• Click Here for email addresses and Click Here for talking points to help you draft your letters.
• Ask Commissioners to send these plans back to staff and table this issue until the full state-mandated comp plan review is scheduled to take place in 2028. Why rush this process now?
• Demand that the public have meaningful input into changes and revisions and that our communities continue to have a say in how our communities grow and develop.

Help Us Spread the Word to Save Our Plan!

• Email us at Info@GPICA.org to help with things like handing out fliers and chatting with folks about how important the Pine Island Plan is to the character of our community.
• Forward this email to a friend!
• Share this website — LeeCommunities.com — in your neighborhood Facebook group and encourage your neighbors to get involved.
• Send a letter to the editor of the Pine Island Eagle by emailing news@breezenewspapers.com
• Send a letter to the editor of The News-Press by emailing DCHolmes@fortmyer.gannett.com
• Not yet a GPICA member? Click here to join today. Your dues help to support our efforts — from building a new website to seeking expert advice on opposing county plans. Your Membership also shows your support for the GPICA and helps give us a stronger voice when we advocate before our elected officials.
• Make a donation to support the fight!

Make Plans Now to Attend and Speak at the Oct. 7 County Commission Meeting

This is a wholesale change to planning philosophy in Lee County and sweeps away more than 40 years of work conducted by Lee County citizens, including hundreds of Islanders. Speak at the meeting to oppose these changes!

Note: We will update the LeeCommunities.com site with any date changes. So please sure to bookmark the site.

• When: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7
• Where: Old Lee County Courthouse Commission Chambers, 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901

—Dr. Frank Alcock, a Professor of Political Science & Environmental Studies at New College of Florida where he has taught courses on world politics, international law and environmental policy for the past 21 years.

—Matt Caldwell, who took over as Lee County’s Property Appraiser following the retirement of 40-year incumbent Ken Wilkinson, will focus on the local impacts of Amendment 3 what it could mean in reality for Lee County residents.

When/Where: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the First Baptist Church of Pine Island, 5363 Avenue D., Bokeelia, 33922.

Learn about recent regulatory changes that will affect Southwest Florida waters and how you can support clean water for our community during this special summit sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lee County and the Sierra Club Calusa Group. GPICA is helping to sponsor this event.

• When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
• Where: This is a hybrid event. You can join in person at The Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, or via Zoom.
• Click here to reserve your spot

Our Waters, Our Vote will include:

• Updates on regulatory changes for clean water
• Impact of regulations on SWFL waters
• Tools, resources, and strategies for supporting clean water
• Voting for clean water
• Interacting with government officials
• Environmental advocates collaboration