The Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners recently approved a preliminary rezoning step for the 74-acre Wolff Farms property on SW 28th ST. However, the fight is far from over-the developer still has to pass permitting, traffic mitigation, and final site plan approval before a single shovel hits the dirt. 

We the residents of Okeechobee, demand that the Commission hold Lennar Homes to the highest levels of scrutiny or reject the final site plans entirely due to these catastrophic flaws:

• Severe Wetland and Ecological Impact:  This development directly impacts a 21-acre wetland ecosystem on the property. The current plans to construct a wooden walkway through the entire width of this fragile area threatens to permanently disrupt the local hydrology, displace native wildlife, and degrade an invaluable natural resource that protects our local water table.
• Flawed Traffic Data: The traffic studies were completed during the summer when school was out-completely ignoring the reality of gridlock within 1 mile of two local schools and an already deadly intersection. Evaluating traffic when school is out of session completely invalidates the findings and endangers our children.
• Catastrophic Flooding Risk: Drainage evaluations were not done during large rain events. While Lennar Homes may legally claim that water cannot discharge directly onto neighboring lands, the reality of new elevation requirements and inevitable groundwater seepage means local residents will face severe flooding.
• Environmental Destruction: This project creates a massive eyesore right in the middle of our town. It will clear-cut pristine woods, pasture land, native Sabel palms, and historical cypress trees to jam in an institutional grid of houses that completely contradicts why people choose to live here.
• Incompatible HOA Models: High- density, corporate managed subdivisions do not last in Okeechobee. Our community values space and independence, not corporate oversight. People move here to escape strict, corporate HOA's.

By signing this petition, you are adding your official voice to a unified package that will be delivered directly to our county commissioners. Let's protect what makes Okeechobee worth living in!