Legal Roadblocks Stall Ambitious 10,000-Home Community Near Verdana Village

A Quick Recap of the Kingston Vision
Lee County Commissioners initially denied a limestone mine for the site, but later approved this massive residential and commercial development. The original plans included:

• 10,000 dwelling units
• A 240-room hotel
• 700,000 square feet of commercial space
• Over 3,200 acres of restoration, conservation, and flowway areas

Cameratta also committed to key community benefits, including:

• A K–8 school
• Internal infrastructure such as a spine road
• A human-wildlife coexistence plan
• Enhanced stormwater and flood control systems
• A central irrigation system
• Hydraulic improvements to help neighbors in Wildcat Farms

The project was designed with a proposed density of 1.5 units per acre, a figure intended to balance growth with environmental preservation in this sensitive area, which borders conservation lands like the CREW lands and Imperial Marsh Preserve.

The Setback: Legal Challenges Over Wetlands Permitting
Despite the developer’s promises and environmental initiatives, a major obstacle has emerged. In early 2024, a U.S. District Judge, Randolph Moss, ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency violated the Endangered Species Act when they handed over permitting authority to the State of Florida.

This decision overturned the federal agencies' move—made four years ago—to let Florida approve specific permits related to building on or filling wetlands. The judge concluded that the proper legal procedures were not followed, rendering Florida’s permitting authority invalid under federal law.

As a result, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) cannot currently issue the wetland permits necessary for Kingston—or any similar project—until a clear legal pathway is established.

What Does This Mean for the Kingston Project?
At this point, the development is on hold. While it hasn’t been canceled outright, no construction can move forward until the legal and permitting situation is clarified. This could take time, as it involves not only state agencies but also potential federal legislative or administrative responses.

The implications stretch far beyond Kingston—this ruling could impact numerous projects across Florida that are awaiting wetland permits under state review.

Stay Tuned
We’ll continue to monitor this developing story closely. The Kingston project represents a significant transformation for the area east of Verdana Village, and whether it proceeds—or how it might evolve—will be critical for local residents, investors, and environmental advocates alike.

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