State of the City

Naples FL Beach | Fine Art Photos

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There are new beginnings and many great happenings in the city this spring! April is one of my favorite months in Naples.

The City of Naples Parks and Recreation Department has worked hard to bring a season of activities. If you haven’t enjoyed the Naples Jazzmasters, the Artcrafters show, and the Naples Dixieland band at River Park Community center, now is the time! Check out the calendar on naplesgov.com to view the many events happening in the city.

At least twenty-two of our beaches have been remedied and opened since the devastation Hurricane Ian brought to our community. We should be proud of the city staff that continue to work hard to bring Naples back to all its beauty. We should also be proud of one another for the continued efforts many are taking to help a neighbor that has not fully recovered from the hurricane. You all make me proud to be mayor of a community that lends a hand to a neighbor when a hand is needed, this is what community is all about.

City Council has a list of priorities that we are addressing. These priorities include, but are not limited to the following: modifying planned development regulations, single-family lot combinations regulations, reviewing and approval of new development projects, modifying lot coverage regulations for multi-family and transient lodging facilities, reviewing outdoor dining regulations, reviewing signage and parking regulations in all districts, review interlocal agreements (including beach parking), address affordable/workforce housing, working with the Naples Airport Authority on solutions to the frequency of flights, and reviewing the pros and cons of roundabouts. All these items are priorities so we can maintain our quality of life.

We share in the community’s concerns regarding land development code items. Because of this concern, the city employed a land use consultant. Our land use consultant is assisting us in the evaluation of the current requirements/rules and to determine if and what changes may be necessary to be consistent and to maintain our beautiful City of Naples. The main topics of discussion were the following: lot coverage, setbacks, pervious areas, base point measurement for maximum height in commercial and mixed-use buildings, “build to” requirement in the Fifth Avenue South special overlay districts, and the density/intensity regulations. The city welcomed all members of the community to a listening session where these ideas were shared, they will be brought to the council for further discussion in April.

It has been wonderful to see restaurants and streets full of people! Naples continues to move forward in its recovery efforts, and I am pleased with how far we have come! Let us remember to take a moment to be grateful for the wonderful town in which we reside and celebrate all the beauty surrounding us every day.

God Bless,

Mayor Teresa Heitmann