Fort Myers City Council plans to host public hearings Nov. 17 to consider land-use changes that would allow residential and commercial development at the northeast corner of Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue, just east of Interstate 75 and west of Southwest Florida International Airport.
Representatives of property owner Brian S. Freeman asked the city to rezone about 21 acres to build a “commercial assemblage” on undeveloped land that was previously set aside for low-density industrial use. They stated in an application that they do not currently seek to build residential units on the property.
Nearby residents said they are in favor of some commercial development on the land but are against residential construction due to concerns about traffic congestion and the strain on water resources.
A city map shows the 21-acre site at Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue proposed for a land-use change from Industrial to Corridor Commercial.
Fort Myers government
During a set of two back-to-back public hearings Nov. 17, officials will consider the future of the site. If City Council approves only the first measure, changing its Future Land Use Plan from Industrial to Corridor Commercial, both commercial and residential use would be permitted. Corridor Commercial Future Land Use allows for 25 to 60 residential units per acre.
The second, companion hearing would allow Council to change the zoning on the site from Light Industrial to Commercial Intensive-Non-Residential, essentially banning residential permitting on the site.
The decisions also would triple the allowable commercial space on the property to a maximum 2.8 million square feet.
A “worse-case scenario” traffic study showed that the most intensive possible commercial development at the site would exceed the capacity available on Daniels and Treeline. But the report added that actual development would likely be less intensive, and that future roadway improvements may improve traffic flow. The study didn’t account for residential development.
Freeman’s land, owned under BJ Holdings of Fort Myers LLC and Brian Scott Holdings Inc., includes nine separate parcels. He is represented by Cindy Leal Brizuela with EnSite Inc. and Terry B. Cramer with the Wilbur Smith law firm.
The land was part of about 64 acres annexed from Lee County into Fort Myers on January 18, 2022, property records show.
Fort Myers City Council members meet as they prepare to consider two rezoning measures Nov. 17 that could reshape the northeast corner of Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue.
Evan Williams
Two of Freeman’s parcels more than doubled in value since last year. A 4.26-acre section at 10290 Vision Lane jumped in assessed value from $742,262 in 2024 to $1,855,656 in 2025. Another 3.8 acres at 13380 Chana Court rose from $662,112 to $1,655,280 in 2025.
Fort Myers resident Bob McConahy, who lives in a community abutting the northern edge of the development area, said he and other residents are in favor of some commercial development on the site, such as a doctor’s office, convenience store or restaurant. But they are concerned that a developer could later decide to build multifamily housing there.
“We just don’t want the developer pulling a bait and switch,” he said. “And the very last thing we need and want is more apartment buildings going up on that corner.
“The bottom line is, as residents over here, we understand that property is valuable. And frankly we do want the property to be developed. We just want accountability for the developers rather than allowing them to have a free hand and not knowing what the future is going to bring.”