Lee County received two of only seven awards for planning studies presented by the State of Florida American Planning Association at its annual conference in Jacksonville in late September.

An Award of Merit was given for the Lehigh Acres Comprehensive Planning Study.  The plan addresses land development, redevelopment infrastructure, and service issues for Lehigh Acres, one of the largest platted subdivisions in the nation.

The second Award of Merit was given for the county’s study of the DR/GR, Prospects for Southeast Lee County: Planning for the Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource Area.  The master plan for this effort proposed several scenarios for future land use in the 83,000-acre area.

Learn more about the Lehigh Acres plan at http://www3.leegov.com/dcd/CommunityPlans/Lehigh.htm.  Follow amendments to The Lee Plan for Lehigh Acres at http://www3.leegov.com/dcd/PlanAmendments/PA2008-2009/CPA2008-00007/CPA2008-00007.html.

Learn more about the DR/GR study at http://www3.leegov.com/dcd/ComprehensivePlanning/SeLeeCounty.htm. Follow amendments to The Lee Plan for the DR/GR at http://www3.leegov.com/dcd/PlanAmendments/PA2008-2009/CPA2008-00006/CPA2008-00006.html

Owners of older buildings in unincorporated Lee County have an opportunity to improve their historic structures under the Lee County Historic Preservation Grant Assistance Program.  This year $50,000 is available for grants. The average grant award is $5,000.  However, grants have been given for as much as $25,000 and as little as $800.

Lee County’s historic resources, which are part of our area’s character, contribute to the quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.  The program helps preserve these valuable resources, which contribute to neighborhood preservation and urban revitalization, enhance our scenery, and help give Lee County its identity.

To qualify, a building must be about 50 years old and must be either designated or qualified for designation under the Lee County Land Development Code Chapter 22, Historic Preservation.  The structure must be located in unincorporated Lee County.  Buildings in the city limits of Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel do not qualify.

The criteria used to evaluate an application includes: percentage of total project cost to be funded by the grant, age and historical significance of the property, condition and degree of endangerment of the property (i.e., urgency of the project), and project planning and plans for future preservation.

All applications are due by 4 p.m. Dec. 4, 2009 at the Lee County Planning Division.  For an application or more information, contact the Lee County Planning Division, P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, FL 33902-0398, (239) 533-8118, FAX (239) 485-8319.  The division is on the second floor of the Lee County Community Development/Public Works center, 1500 Monroe Street, in downtown Fort Myers.

Renewal of Certificates of Competency for contractors doing business in unincorporated Lee County was due Sept. 30.  Renewals will be accepted through March 31, 2010, but late fees will increase each month.

Renewals can be done easily online at http://www.leegov.com/dcd/ContractorLicensing.htm.  Those who must renew in person will do so this year at the Community Development/Public Works Center, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, in the Permitting Lobby.  Contractor licensing services recently moved to this location.

For renewals, certificates for Workers’ Compensation and liability insurance must be active and current in our database.  Verify the status of your certificates online at www.lee-county.com/econnect.  Updated insurance certificates can be e-mailed to ContractorLicensing@leegov.com or faxed to (239) 485-8577.

The increased fee for renewal in October is $105 for all trades and $115 for general, building and residential contractors.  Journeyman renewal fees are now $36.  The fee to renew under voluntary inactive status is $29, and you must complete the Application for Inactive Status Form.  Download it at www.leegov.com/dcd/ContractorLicensing.htm

Make checks payable to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.

If your certificate of competency is not renewed or placed on voluntary inactive status by March 31, 2010, it will expire.  Renewal of expired certificates requires a new application and approval by the Construction Licensing Board.

Please join us in congratulating these Community Development Employees receiving Length of Service Awards from Lee Commissioners this quarter: Mary Gibbs, Director, 25 years; Charles King, building inspections, 20 years; Billie Jacoby, administration, and Rafiu Oyebanjo, plan review, 10 years.

During September, Lee County Community Development issued permits for 31 single-family homes valued at $8.2 million to be built in unincorporated Lee County.  In comparison, there were 34 permits for single-family homes issued in August and 32 issued in September 2008.

There were four multi-family units permitted in unincorporated Lee County during September, compared to 10 the previous month and six in September 2008.

Permits were issued for nine new commercial buildings valued at $7.7 million in unincorporated Lee County, compared to $1.9 million the previous month.  In September 2008, newly permitted commercial buildings were valued at $3.2 million.

For detailed permit reports, go to http://www3.leegov.com/dcd/Reports/ReportsMain.htm.

2008/2009 Lee Plan Amendment Transmittal Hearing – Wednesday, Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m., Commission Chambers, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers.

For a detailed calendar of events and links to agendas, go to
http://dcd-calendar.leegov.com//calendar.php.