MELISSA BILL The Lehigh Acres Architectural, Planning and Zoning Review Board met on June 22.

Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida made a presentation at the June 22 meeting of the Lehigh Acres Architectural, Planning and Zoning Review Board.

Linda Stewart, with David Douglas Associates, spoke on behalf of the private, non-profit health group. FHC was seeking a zoning amendment for its upcoming commercial project, which the board unanimously approved.

FHC is currently housed at 3400 Lee Blvd. and offers community health, healthcare for the homeless and social services. According to Jeffrey Mudgett, of Parker, Mudgett, Smith Architects, the new three-story office building will not only house medical and dental services, but also provide office space for chiropractic, optometry, social services and family education.

“FHC wants to move forward with the project and offer a quality center for patients,” Mudgett said.

The 59,000-square-foot building will be state-of-the-art and feature a decorative atrium and offer covered parking for patients.

MELISSA BILL Jeffrey Mudgett, of Parker, Mudgett, Smith Architects, speaks to the Lehigh Acres Architectural, Planning and Zoning Review Board met on June 22 about a proposed project.

“They are sparing no expense on the design of this building,” Mudgett said.

Another item on the agenda was a request for a development order permit for a new RaceTrac at 4409 Lee Blvd., at the corner of Lee Boulevard and Gunnery Road North. According to Greg Deserio, the board’s former chair, the RaceTrac will be slightly smaller and resemble the company’s new fueling station prototype.

Board member Tami Baker had some concern for the traffic congestion that already exists in the area.

“RaceTrac will work to eliminate the problem by widening and repaving both access roads, 4th Street West and Gerald Avenue,” Deserio said.

Additional items on the agenda included a project approval request for a new 7-Eleven at 2938 Meadow Road. Jose Martinez, from Bowman Consulting, presented on behalf of the applicant. The group asked for a special exception to exceed the number of fuel-pump islands, which is currently set at four per gas station.

“We want to be able to provide quicker service for customers by increasing the number of high-speed fueling stations,” Martinez said.

At the end of the meeting, the board presented Deserio with an honorary award for his service in the community.

The Lehigh Acres Architectural, Planning and Zoning Review Board meets and inspects plans to see if they comply with architectural standards and recommend changes, if they are needed. The proposed projects eventually go before the Lee County Board of County Commissioners for a final vote.

The Lehigh meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month, except November, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District, at 601 East County Lane.

They are open to the public and attendees are allowed to comment during certain portions of the meeting.