The Lee Communities Coalition (TLCC), an alliance of civic and community organizations that united in August 2026 to oppose sweeping changes to Lee County’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code proposed with no public input, is continuing to grow as new organizations join the opposition to changes.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, TLCC announced that the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation has joined as a full member and that 1000 Friends of Florida and Calusa Waterkeeper have joined as organizational advisors. The League of Women Voters of Lee County has also joined as a communications ally to help share news and information about the Coalition’s activities.

“We’re so pleased to have SCCF, 1000 Friends of Florida, Calusa Waterkeeper and the League of Women Voters of Lee County supporting The Lee Communities Coalition,” said TLCC Coordinator Nadine Slimak. “We’re grateful they’re willing to share their expertise in public policy and on growth and development issues and grateful they understand how big the stakes are in this discussion and want to help.

“Our Coalition is growing day-by-day, showing just how much this topic means to our communities, and that public interest cuts across geographic, social and neighborhood lines. We’re not just a few folks talking on Facebook. We’re long-standing members of our communities. Our voices should be heard and we should be involved in deciding what our communities look like today, tomorrow and decades from now.”

Why the Coalition was Created

In August 2026, Lee County proposed sweeping changes to the Lee County Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code without public input and disregarding unique community characteristics. The proposed revisions to the plan included the wholesale elimination of Community Plans that guide growth in unincorporated Lee County communities, turning the county’s back on planning and development philosophies that residents had championed and that had been in place since the 1980s.

The proposed changes reorganized, relocated and eliminated numerous provisions, including many that were created specifically to recognize the unique characteristic of individual Lee County communities. The revisions also removed a key avenue for public input to development plans in their communities.

The first and only public information meeting that Lee County held about the changes was attended by more than 100 residents and, during a subsequent hearing held by the Local Planning Agency just a few days later, dozens of residents spoke against these changes.

Civic and community groups from Alva to Captiva formed The Lee Communities Coalition to work together in a united voice to oppose these sweeping changes and urge Lee County to put them on hold until the state-mandated comprehensive review takes place in 2028 with full public input and discourse.

Public Response

As Coalition members worked to raise public awareness of the changes and residents began calling and writing members of the Lee County Commission to oppose the revisions, new community groups have joined the cause.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation: Founded in 1967, SCCF’s mission is to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems by focusing on conservation, ecosystem restoration, water quality research, policy advocacy and public outreach. SCCF is the largest private landowner on Sanibel Island, managing more than 1,800 acres and holds more than 300 acres on surrounding islands, South Fort Myers, and Cape Coral. “SCCF is proud to be a part of The Lee Communities Coalition to support the vital need for unincorporated areas of Lee County to have Community Plans to protect their unique character and ecosystems,” said SCCF CEO James Evans. “Through this powerful alliance of organizations and science-backed policy, we will continue to advocate to protect our region’s water quality, wildlife, wetlands, and overall carrying capacity — all of which support the county’s economy.”

1000 Friends of Florida: Since 1986, this nonprofit organization has been an advocate for a sustainable future for Florida, working to protect natural landscapes for residents and wildlife and processes that give citizens a meaningful role in shaping the futures of their communities and state. “Good planning isn’t about stopping growth. It’s about making sure growth reflects what a community values, and the people who live there know those values best,” said Paul Owens, President, 1000 Friends of Florida. “Lee County’s Community Plans represent decades of work by residents who showed up and helped shape their communities. We’re proud to support The Lee Communities Coalition in making sure residents keep a meaningful seat at the table as Lee County plans for its future.”

Calusa Waterkeeper: Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK) is Southwest Florida’s independent voice for clean water, working to protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the coastal waters.  Through science, education, and advocacy, Calusa Waterkeeper works to protect the health of Southwest Florida’s waters and to ensure that decisions affecting them are informed by sound science, strong public policy, and an engaged community. “The people who live in these 17 communities know them best and deserve a say in their future,” said Jason Pim, CWK Board President. “They understand where flooding occurs, where infrastructure is lacking, and where wetlands and wildlife remain. As Lee County considers changes that will shape future growth, residents deserve a meaningful role in the decisions that will affect their neighborhoods and our waters for generations to come.”

League of Women Voters of Lee County: This nonpartisan organization encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. “Congratulations to TLCC leaders on their successful rapid response and their formation of a structure to continue their work,” said Sandy Frank, President, League of Women Voters of Lee County, Inc. “The League believes in promoting resource conservation, stewardship, and long-range planning, with the responsibility for managing natural resources shared by all levels of government. The League supports informed and active participation of citizens, and public policies that provide for cooperative, coordinated planning for and decisions about land use.”

The new members, advisors and allies join current TLCC members:

• Greater Pine Island Civic Association
• Matlacha Civic Association
• Buckingham Community Association, Inc.
• Alva, Inc.
• Captiva Civic Association
• Captiva Community Panel
• Concerned Citizens of Bayshore Community, Inc.
• Greater Pine Island Water Association
• And current organizational advisor, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

On Sept. 15, after hearing from countless residents, the Lee County Commission voted to send the changes back to staff with a request for a revised timeline for the process and a schedule for meetings where communities could offer input and have a dialogue with Lee County planning staff.

In the meantime, The Lee Communities Coalition is continuing its work to analyze the proposed changes and what they could mean for future growth and development across Lee County. The Coalition is also continuing to urge residents to get involved in the process of determining the future of their communities.

• Residents can learn more about the Lee County Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development code at LeeCommunities.com. There are also helpful tips for taking action.
• Follow us on Facebook @LeeCommunitiesFL