Plans for a new indoor-outdoor entertainment venue in Bonita Springs have been halted.
The application for the development, proposed by Oakes Farms, was to be considered by the city’s Planning & Zoning Board on May 19. However, a few days before the hearing, a representative for the development team submitted a formal request for a 60-to-90-day continuance.
The request for a continuance has turned into a request for a withdrawal.
Lora Taylor, a spokeswoman for the city, confirmed the receipt of a formal request to withdraw the application from “further review and processing” on behalf of Oakes Farms. She did not comment on the reasons for the request made this week.
The city’s permit portal now shows the status of the application as withdrawn. The application, filed in April of last year, had only reached the 43% mark in the city’s review and approval process.
Oakes Farms had paid more than $8,500 in fees to advance the application before pulling it.
Alfie Oakes, the prominent and politically controversial agricultural and grocery magnate behind Oakes Farms in Naples, proposed the new development on a swath of vacant land near the intersection of Bonita Beach and Old 41 roads.
Oakes could not be reached for comment on why he dropped his plans.
To move forward with the development, Oakes Farms needed an amendment to an existing Commercial Planned Development. Ultimately, it required city council approval.
The proposed development faced opposition from neighbors, especially the closest ones in the exclusive Mediterra master-planned community. It had its supporters, too.
Dubbed Oakes Landing, the proposed venue would have sat on about 12 acres. It would have been another innovative addition to the Oakes’ portfolio.
Founded and owned by Alfie Oakes, Oakes Farms is a diversified agricultural company. Operations include farming, packing and distributing fresh produce and seafood, and running organic restaurants and cafes, and farmer’s market-style grocery stores.
The flagship Seed to Table grocery store in North Naples is a popular draw for local residents and visitors alike, with multiple eateries and bars and regular entertainment indoors. The one-of-a-kind mega store, a pro-MAGA hub, is notoriously packed, with a jammed parking lot.
More about the halted development
According to the narrative for Oakes Landing submitted to the city of Bonita Springs, the “heart of the venue” would have been a multi-use event space, with a large, tented area, a raised deck with lounge seating and a central stage for live performances and community events.
Surrounding the event space, bars and other food and drink outlets were planned to foster “a lively and interactive atmosphere.”
The design included family-friendly features, such as a playground, game zone, pools, changing and rental lockers, picnic seating and food concessions. Along with several pools, there would have been private cabanas.
A separate game area, including darts and axe throwing, and fire pit were included to “enhance the social setting” for adults and families alike.
The development would have spanned more than 55,000 square feet, including a main building to support the new venue’s operations.
In its application, Oakes Farms stated the venue would “foster a vibrant atmosphere, serving as a dynamic entertainment destination for the surrounding residential neighborhoods, while also contributing to the economic growth of the City of Bonita Springs by generating new employment opportunities and attracting tourism.”
To the north of the property Oakes eyed for development is Entrada Plaza, with a variety of tenants, including restaurants and boutiques. To the west is a RaceTrac gas station, to the south is Mediterra and to the east is the very popular Trackside Donuts & Cafe.
The closest single-family home in Meditterra is about 1,694 feet to the south of the property line for what’s known as Phase 2 of the existing Commercial Planned Development.
Entertainment venue faced strong opposition
The mayor, along with other city leaders and staff, received multiple letters in opposition from area residents, including one from Joanne Massaro, who lives in Mediterra.
In her letter, Massaro said: “Living off Old 41, Mediterra residents daily have to deal with horrible and dangerous traffic to get in or out of our development. The Oakes proposal will only exacerbate this condition.”
Furthermore, she said, Mediterra residents can hear the live music coming from Sugarshack, off Old 41 Road, farther to the north, every day.
“The Oakes proposal will be far worse with its extended hours and closer vicinity to Mediterra,” Massaro said. “The stages are outdoor and we will hear loud music constantly.”
Other Mediterra residents expressed strong opposition in their letters to the city, citing concerns about noise, traffic, safety, property values, and their overall quality of life. They argued it wouldn’t be compatible with their neighborhood or others nearby.
Residents were particularly concerned about the potential for live concerts to be held at the venue several nights a week into the wee hours of the morning.
The proposed venue did have supporters, too, in and outside of the city.
After word spread about the project in recent weeks, some shared their excitement for it on social media. That included Jill Jacobs, a Naples Realtor, who in a Facebook post described the proposal as a “fantastic REDEVELOPMENT project of the old Bonita Greyhound Track property.”
She said it’s wonderful when property can be redeveloped, rather than destroying “existing habitats” for new development.
The race track closed in Bonita Springs after voters decided to end greyhound racing in 2020, and its original building was later demolished, opening the door for redevelopment opportunities on the larger site.
In recent weeks, others commented on social media that they’d rather see an entertainment venue than more condos or apartments on the long idle property, and they would welcome more to see and do in Bonita Springs. One of the supporters exclaimed: “Can’t wait.”
With the application withdrawn, the wait will continue on what will become of the highly visible landmark property, near downtown.
Laura Layden is a senior business and government reporter. Reach her by email at laura.layden@naplesnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Plans for new Oakes Bonita Springs entertainment venue are withdrawn
Reporting by Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
