The Florida Planning & Zoning Association presented its Long Range Study Award of Excellence to Lee County for the Lehigh Acres Comprehensive Planning Study. The FPZA presented the honor to Lee County Community Development staff on June 12 in Tampa during its annual conference.

The study examines the long-term planning challenges facing a platted community of more than 140,000 residential lots lacking places to work and shop and possessing inadequate roads and infrastructure.

Among the proposed solutions is a three-tiered approach to direct growth to central areas in the 97- square-mile community.

The study, which followed more than two years of public meetings and stakeholder input, lays out strategies to target land for a more positive mix of uses including office, retail, parks, and other necessary facilities.

To read the plan, visit http://www3.leegov.com/dcd/CommunityPlans/LehighAcres/FinalReport.pdf

Lee County Community Development oversees planning, zoning, development, and building services, environmental review, building inspection and code enforcement for the unincorporated areas of Lee County.