Overview

• The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a settlement agreement with agricultural company FFD that would eliminate mining as a possible land use on a 5,200-acre parcel in Southeast Lee County. This settlement, which has been the subject of negotiation for more than three years, would eliminate the possibility of mining on this property. The agreement would also ensure that developer maintains 65% of the property as open space, including 2,900 acres of conservation land. The developer would also be required to restore major flow ways on the property.
  

Timeline

• January 7, 2009: FFD Submitted it's MEPD rezoning application to the county. 
  
• May 6, 2013: FFD’s application for rezoning to MEPD was denied by the County (Resolution Z-13-002)
• May 5, 2017: FFD filed lawsuit against the County
  

Overview

• The 2019 mining amendments approved by the board were challenged legally by the Sakata Seed Corporation. After administrative hearings, the Department of Economic Opportunity issued a final ruling that Lee County staff’s work and County Commissioners’ actions were consistent with land-use laws. The county was sufficiently protecting the community and the environment.