Lee County is expanding at a rapid rate, with the population growing from 760,822 in the 2020 census to an estimated 859,348 in 2025. It’s not just incorporated parts of the county feeling the exponential growth. Rural parts of the county including North Fort Myers and Alva are seeing their populations climb.

Alva is one of the last remnants of Florida’s rich agricultural past. Longtime residents are hoping to save part of the area’s rural charm, but a new development may upend their mission. The Board of Lee County Commissioners will hear from developers on a plan that would, if approved, more than double the number of families in the community that borders the Caloosahatchee River.

A local civic group called Alva Inc. was formed with the intention of protecting and fighting to preserve one of the last truly rural communities in Lee County through public involvement and community organization. The group meets monthly at Alva Park Community Center.

Among top concerns by the organization are the sale of approximately 800 acres of rural pasture and wetlands in Alva. Florida developer Neal Properties is interested in buying the land to add to the 350 neighboring acres of undeveloped land it acquired back in 2024. Current zoning codes allow for one home or residential unit per acre. The planned development will feature 1,099 homes on 788 acres, which is a significant increase in density from the current rural zoning.

Approval on the project from Lee County commissioners would allow for a higher-density development on the rural, agricultural land, with a portion designated for conservation. The goal of the project is to provide "attainable housing" and conserve some open space, but it has faced strong opposition from local residents concerned about the loss of Alva's rural character and the strain on infrastructure.

Neal Communities development overview

Development plan includes:

Project scope: The development will feature 1,099 homes on 788 acres, which is a significant increase in density from the current rural zoning.
Conservation: Plans for a portion of the land to be returned to its native vegetative state and placed under conservation easements.
Public utilities: The approval will clear the path for extending public water and sewer services to the area, a necessary step for the higher-density development.

In September a hearing examiner sided with rural landowners seeking to sell to the developer after three days of public meetings. The majority of the public who came to speak against the project said the planned community of more than 1,100 homes does not fit in with the rural landscape of Alva and Olga. They also felt Alva lacked the infrastructure to take on that type of expansive growth.

The project faces concern and opposition from local residents

Key concerns include:

Rural character: Many residents are worried the development will destroy Alva's rural atmosphere, which currently features open spaces and agricultural land.
Infrastructure: There are concerns about the capacity of existing infrastructure, particularly sewage systems, to handle the increased population.
Community impact: Residents fear the development will double the area's population, leading to increased traffic and the loss of the local way of life.

Other initiatives under review by Alva Inc. include the Lee County School Board’s upcoming vote on Phase 2 of a proposed high school in Alva. The school is proposed to be built at the intersection of Joel Boulevard and Tuckahoe Road. The plan has sparked controversy among residents who argue that logistically the location doesn’t make sense.

Alva Inc. meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be held in November 2025. Meeting time is from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: Alva Park Community Center, 21471 North River Road, Alva, FL 33920

Alva Community Center website: https://www.leegov.com/parks/centers/alva

For more information on Alva Inc. visit: AlvaInc.org and for information on future Lee County Zoning visit: www.leegov.com/bocc/zoning

Keep Alva Rural leads pushback on 800-acre development plan

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