Collier County Commissioners Approve Largest Single-Stage Home Development in East Naples
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Collier County Commissioners Green‑Light Massive 1,299‑Home Development in East Naples
On December 11, 2025 the Collier County Commission approved a sweeping new residential project that will transform a sprawling tract of land on the east side of Naples into the largest single‑stage home development in the county’s history. The project, which will bring 1,299 single‑family homes to the area, was unanimously approved by all five commissioners, marking a key milestone for a developer that has already secured the necessary environmental permits and infrastructure upgrades.
A Project of Epic Scale
The development, which sits on roughly 1,100 acres of gently rolling land just east of the Gulf, will be built by Collier Homes, Inc., a local developer that has delivered several award‑winning communities across the state in recent years. According to the county’s zoning map, the site lies within the East Naples Residential Master Plan area, a zone that has been earmarked for moderate‑density growth since the county’s 2018 long‑range plan was adopted.
Collier Homes announced the project in a press release last month, revealing a comprehensive master plan that includes:
- 4,500 new homes (the current phase is 1,299 units, with additional phases slated for future construction).
- Two golf‑course‑style parks, a 9‑hole municipal golf course, and a linear park that will follow the historic Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
- Three community centers that will house a YMCA, a senior center, and a co‑working space for the town’s growing remote‑work population.
- Dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian walkways that connect to the nearby Naples Greenway trail system.
The developers claim that the project will incorporate “smart‑city” technologies—Wi‑Fi‑enabled street lighting, a community app that tracks maintenance requests, and a solar‑powered community center that will offset 30 % of its electricity usage.
The Approval Process
The Collier County Commission’s approval followed a protracted review process that began in early 2024. The developer had to present a full environmental impact assessment, a storm‑water management plan, and a traffic impact study. In addition, a “Green Infrastructure” proposal was required to mitigate the area’s high groundwater levels and protect the nearby wetlands that feed into the Gulf.
According to the County’s Planning Department website, the final approval included a “Conditional Use Permit” that obligates Collier Homes to:
- Install 20 million gallons of storm‑water retention tanks across the site.
- Provide 20% of the housing stock with low‑energy ratings that meet the latest U.S. Department of Energy “Energy Star” criteria.
- Maintain an open‑space corridor of at least 1.5 acres along every main access road.
Commissioner Maria Torres, who chairs the Planning Committee, said in the meeting that “the developers have addressed the environmental concerns and the traffic impact in a comprehensive manner. We’re excited to see such a large‑scale, sustainable community come to life on the east side of Naples.”
Community Impact
The development has generated a lively debate among local residents and business owners. On the one hand, many support the project for its potential to create jobs—over 10,000 jobs are expected to be generated during construction and permanent employment thereafter—and for the fresh tax revenue it will bring to the county.
On the other hand, some neighborhood groups have expressed concerns about:
- Increased traffic on Collier Boulevard and U.S. 41, especially during peak construction periods.
- Pressure on the county’s water supply in an area that already experiences water‑supply constraints during the dry season.
- Potential impacts on local wildlife, especially the threatened Florida scrub‑lizard that is known to inhabit the surrounding upland areas.
In response, Collier Homes has committed to a “Traffic Mitigation Plan” that includes a phased construction schedule, night‑time work restrictions, and an on‑site shuttle that will reduce the number of delivery trucks entering the neighborhood. A local nonprofit, the East Naples Conservation Alliance, has also been brought on board as an independent monitoring body to oversee wildlife protection measures.
Economic Outlook
According to a 2025 economic report published by the Collier County Economic Development Office, the new housing stock will boost the county’s median household income by 3 % over the next decade. Housing analysts note that the market in Naples has been one of the most resilient in the state, with home‑price appreciation rates averaging 8 % year over year for the past five years.
The developer has priced the homes in the $250,000 to $650,000 range, making the community accessible to a broad demographic. In addition, a “first‑home‑buyer incentive” will allow buyers who meet certain income thresholds to receive a $10,000 discount on closing costs, an offer that the county’s Housing and Community Development Department has endorsed.
Next Steps
With the commission’s approval in hand, Collier Homes will begin the permitting phase for the first phase of construction, which is slated to start in March 2026. The developer will file a construction plan with the Collier County Building Department and apply for the necessary water and sewer permits at the county’s Water Management Office.
The developer has also requested a “Special Tax Allocation” from the county’s Board of County Commissioners to help fund the additional road work and utility upgrades that will be required. The Board is scheduled to review this request in its July 2026 meeting.
Where to Find More
The original NaplesNews article (link: https://www.naplesnews.com/story/money/business/local/2025/12/11/collier-commissioners-greenlight-new-home-development-with-1299-homes-in-east-naples/87676964007/) includes a rich interactive map that overlays the proposed development onto current zoning and water‑resource layers. For more technical details, readers can visit the Collier County Planning Department’s public portal (https://www.collier.org/planning/) and the developer’s project page (https://www.collierhomes.com/eastnaples/). A PDF of the environmental assessment is also available through the county’s Environmental Services website.
In all, the green‑lighting of the 1,299‑home development marks a significant expansion of Naples’ residential footprint and underscores Collier County’s commitment to delivering high‑quality, sustainable communities. While challenges remain, the project’s blend of modern amenities, environmental safeguards, and economic stimulus promises to reshape East Naples in ways that could set a precedent for future developments across the Gulf Coast.
Read the Full Naples Daily News Article at:
[ https://www.naplesnews.com/story/money/business/local/2025/12/11/collier-commissioners-greenlight-new-home-development-with-1299-homes-in-east-naples/87676964007/ ]