Have you ever said to yourself.."I wish I knew then what I know now"? Don't let it happen again!!!!!!!!!!
It is getting closer each day with regards to the necessary approvals the Barron Collier and Evans Group for the final approvals for a new town slotted for NE Okeechobee. I have been watching this area for some time and actually did a story with Channel 5 on the new growth in South Central Florida.
Check out my web sites www.FloridaRanchProperties.com www.PristineFlorida.com to view the articles from various publications.
The 9-square-mile residential and commercial development received unanimous approval last week from county commissioners despite some residents' concerns about rapid growth. State planners must review and approve the plan before developer Barron Collier Co. can start construction in 2008.
Owned by Evans Properties, The Grove now is a 4,600-acre grove of oranges nestled along Florida's Turnpike and Indian River and St. Lucie counties. But the trees are aging and infected with the tristeza virus.
So, Barron Collier plans to raze the grove and replace it with nearly 14,000 homes and roughly 2 million square feet of commercial space. The master-planned community would have a turnpike exit - built by the developer - and its own water and sewer system.
The developer doesn't need to incorporate The Grove to maintain the community. Instead, Barron Collier will set up a special assessment district, which allows a community to charge residents for infrastructure, Noah said.
Age-restricted communities would encompass about half The Grove's homes.
"It's going to be a lot of people from up North, getting on the computer and finding this community, and it's going to be a much cheaper place for them to live," Noah said. "Coastal living is just getting out of hand."
But Barron Collier is setting aside all 2,000 multi-family homes and some single-family homes for younger families. The master plan also includes land for a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school large enough to house 1,000 students.
Although the housing market has slumped in recent years, Noah said the developer wants to get The Grove approved and started soon in preparation for a market rebound.
ABOUT THE GROVE
Owner: Vero Beach-based Evans Properties
Developer: Naples-based Barron Collier Co.
Where: 4,600 acres in
Okeechobee's northeast corner along Indian River and St. Lucie counties and Florida's Turnpike
What: A dying orange grove proposed to become a residential and commercial development with 11,798 single-family homes, 2,202 multi-family homes, 1.35 million square feet of retail space, 420,000 square feet of office space and 350,000 square feet ofindustrial space.
How: Received unanimous approval from Okeechobee County Commission last week; being reviewed now by state planners with the Department of Community Affairs.
Give me a call or email me if you would like additional information on this project or others in the area.
Stephen Jara
Pristine Properties International
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