A minor technical glitch identified by a representative from Moorings Park nearly put the retirement community's expansion plans on hold during the Naples City Council meeting Wednesday.
The retirement community sought to expand its residential units. Moorings Park was previously restricted to 414 independent living residences and 180 assisted living/nursing home beds. The zoning change to expand those residences as considered by council on second, and final, reading Wednesday would allow up to 514 single and multifamily residences and up to 220 assisted living/ nursing home beds.
Richard Yovanovich, the Naples attorney representing Moorings Park, noticed that the ordinance reviewed by Naples City Council earlier in August included a mathematical error on how the increase would change the density on the 83-acre property.
The ordinance had read that the density would become 6.2 units per acre after the expansion. However, Yovanovich brought to the attention of city staff and council that the density will actually be 8.84 units per acre.
The actual plans, however, haven't changed.
Following some brief debate, City Attorney Robert Pritt said he didn't think the change would require starting over by holding two more public meetings with the correct density in the ordinance. There was no substantial change to the request, Pritt advised.
Council members agreed.
“I'm okay with that number...” said Councilman Gary Price, of the corrected density.
Moorings Park CEO Daniel Lavender has said he didn't plan on constructing anything in the immediate future to take advantage of the increased density provided by the zoning change considered by council, but rather was preparing for the future.
Council unanimously (7-0) voted to approve the zoning change.
