Fort Myers City Council on Nov. 17 approved a potential high-density commercial development at the northeast corner of Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue, one of the region’s busiest intersections in a rapidly growing corridor east of Interstate 75 and west of Southwest Florida International Airport.
Representatives for property owner Brian S. Freeman asked the city to rezone about 21 acres to allow a
“commercial assemblage” on the undeveloped land, previously designated for low-density industrial and commercial uses.
Council members were split 4-3 on both votes, ultimately granting Freeman’s request. The approvals also prohibit market-rate multi and single-family residential development on the site for now, though both city officials and nearby residents expressed concern the land could eventually shift to residential use anyway.
Residents in surrounding communities have for several years opposed residential proposals for the intersection, citing traffic congestion and potential strain on water resources and infrastructure.
Brian S. Freeman’s property at the northeast corner of Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue, shown at night, was rezoned Nov. 17 to allow high-density commercial uses and prohibit residential construction for now.
Evan Williams
Throughout the Nov. 17 hearings, Freeman and his representatives emphasized they do not intend to pursue multifamily housing. Freeman and his companies, BJ Holdings of Fort Myers LLC and Brian Scott Holdings Inc., own nine parcels at the site. He was represented at the hearings by Fort Myers attorney Sawyer Smith of the Wilbur Smith law firm.
“Mr. Freeman has been trying to develop … his property on the corner there,” Smith told Council. “He has never once, I will repeat for I don’t know the 500th time, wanted to bring residential development.” Freeman also addressed Council directly, saying, “We have no intention of doing any multifamily.”
Council members first voted 4-3 to change the Future Land Use designation from Industrial to Corridor Commercial, which technically allows between 25 and 60 residential units per acre. Darla Bonk, Fred Burson and Diana Giraldo dissented. Immediately afterward, in a separate 4-3 vote, Council approved a rezoning from Light Industrial to Commercial Intensive–Non-Residential, which bans single- and multifamily uses. Liston Bochette, Bonk and Giraldo dissented.
Bonk, who represents Ward 6, said residents remain uneasy because the future of the land is uncertain.
“We don’t know what (Freeman) is going to do but by his word he isn’t doing multifamily,” Bonk said, noting that nothing prevents him from selling the increasingly valuable property to someone who might seek multifamily zoning in the future.
Property owner Brian S. Freeman and attorney Sawyer Smith address Fort Myers City Council on Nov. 17 before the Council approved rezoning 21 acres at Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue for commercial development.
Evan Williams
Signs on the property advertise it for sale through Brian Scott Realty Inc. Freeman did not return a call seeking more information about his plans.
Freeman’s land was part of about 64 acres annexed from Lee County into Fort Myers on Jan. 18, 2022, according to property records. Values on two of his parcels have more than doubled since last year. A 4.26-acre section at 10290 Vision Lane increased from $742,262 in 2024 to $1,855,656 in 2025. Another 3.8-acre parcel at 13380 Chana Court rose from $662,112 to $1,655,280 during the same period.
Council’s decisions allow for a maximum of 2.8 million square feet of commercial development — tripling the previously permitted density. Potential uses include office, retail and hotels. Smith also mentioned possibilities such as a brewery or distillery.
Vehicles pass through Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue, an intersection a traffic study says could exceed capacity under the site’s maximum allowable commercial build-out.
Evan Williams
A “worst-case scenario” traffic analysis found that the most intensive allowable commercial development, excluding residential projects, would exceed the current capacity of Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue. The study also noted that actual development is likely to be less intensive and that future roadway upgrades could improve traffic flow. On Nov. 18, Lee County commissioners approved a contract to upgrade the intersection by adding a second northbound right-turn lane, with work expected from April through September, weather permitting.
Several nearby residents urged Council to require Freeman to submit a Planned Unit Development that outlines his exact proposal. Fort Myers resident Bob McConahy said neighbors support commercial uses but want a PUD to ensure the site excludes residential units.
Smith argued a PUD would be premature.
“A PUD is what you do when you know what you’re doing on the property,” Smith said. “Zoning is so you know what you can do on the property. What we’re going to do, we don’t know. We’re trying to open it up and bring the land to its highest and best use.”