UPDATE: Enforce Zoning Laws at 10851 Deer Run Farms Rd. - AG-2 District
UPDATE: Enforce Zoning Laws at 10851 Deer Run Farms Rd. - AG-2 District
The Issue
UPDATE: The county has found the New Life Dream Center drug rehab on Deer Run Farms Road to be in violation of land use (not an allowable use in AG-2) and permitting (turning a single family home into a “commercial operation”) plus building/property maintenance which can include exposed electrical wiring, waste, vent and supply piping issues. These three open violations - VIO2026-00930, VIO2026-00931 and VIO2026-00932 - are public record and viewable at https://aca-prod.accela.com/LEECO This is a step in the right direction, but not a resolution to this issue - what happens next remains to be seen. As such, PLEASE continue to share this petition and contact our County Commissioners to respectfully voice your opinion. This is not about trying to stop people from getting the help they need. This is about the safety of our neighborhood. An unlicensed drug rehab, a facility that admittedly takes people directly from the courts “as an alternative to incarceration,” established itself in our community without ever giving us any opportunity to have a voice on the matter.
Also, Adam Botana rescinded his $1.85 million budget request so that funding for them to expand is not happening in this cycle.
An unapproved drug rehabilitation facility does not belong in our neighborhood
We’re calling on Lee County officials to uphold AG-2 zoning laws and protect our community’s and children’s safety.
⚖️ Why We’re Petitioning
We, the undersigned residents of unincorporated Lee County, are asking Lee County officials to take action regarding the unapproved drug rehabilitation for 30+ formerly incarcerated or court appointed male and female residents that has or will continue to take place at 10851 Deer Run Farms Road, which is zoned Agricultural (AG-2). Our goal is simple: Enforce existing zoning laws fairly and transparently so that AG-2 neighborhoods remain agricultural and residential — not a nonprofit-run, exempt from State of Florida substance abuse licensure, drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.
🏗️ What’s Happening at 10851 Deer Run Farms Rd.
Zoning Classification: This property located at 10851 Deer Run Farms Road is currently zoned Agricultural (AG-2), and no petition to change this property’s zoning has been received, reviewed or approved. The AG-2 zoning district does allow single-family residences in addition to other uses, including agricultural uses.
This drug rehabilitation facility is classified as Social Services, Group III by the County’s Land Development Code. This use is generally described as “Establishments primarily engaged in providing temporary living facilities for individuals with personal or social problems.” This use is not listed as a permitted use in the AG-2 zoning district, and the property would need to be rezoned to establish that use on the property.
State Representative Adam Botana recently sponsored state budget funding (tax payer dollars) for this facility to receive $1.85 million to expand to up to 100 residents on another property OR EXPAND ON THIS CURRENT PROPERTY.
https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/drug-rehab-center-church-neighborhood-lee-florida/70409812
https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/florida-drug-rehab-center-church-zone-fort-myers/70422913
Business Entity: The property operates under WORD OF LIFE MINISTRIES INC
6111 SOUTH POINTE BLVD
FORT MYERS FL 33919
o Observed Activity: Residents have documented multiple individuals residing on the property, excessive garbage – that attracts raccoons and vultures, etc. - each week that should be disposed of by a dumpster on the property, not taxpayer dollars through Waste Management, individuals with stated drug and alcohol issues wandering the neighborhood and trespassing on to neighbor’s properties without permission, foul use of language and foul gestures to neighborhood residents.
Code Enforcement:
o Active Code Enforcement violations are currently open for this property and have been being reported since 2024.
o At the time this petition was posted,the owner had not allowed the county onto the property to investigate even though they said they would comply. UPDATED: the owner finally allowed County code enforcement onto the property on Feb. 26, 2026.
o All information regarding these cases is publicly available through Lee County’s Code Enforcement database.
To make a code enforcement violation, visit https://www.leegov.com/dcd/CodeEnf
Residents have gathered this information from public records and direct observation, not speculation.
🏘️ How It’s Affecting the Community
The impact of the ongoing activity has been deeply felt by neighboring homeowners:
o Safety concerns for all neighbors. Women are afraid to walk past the home on daily walks.
o Unseemly trash weekly that should be required to be kept inside their gates in a commercial dumpster and not allowed to attract dangerous wildlife including rabid raccoons and vultures.
o Residents of the property have been seen numerous times trimming landscaping and tossing it into the drainage areas across the street that is a private property. Drainage ditches that are not maintained flood us all in the case of heavy rains and hurricanes.
o Environmental concerns as this property is surrounded by protected cypress and wetland areas. The property needs to be inspected for how many septic tanks are accessible for the 30+ residents recently living on the property.
These conditions have caused understandable frustration and concern among neighbors who purchased homes in an area zoned and intended for agricultural and residential use.
🙏 What We’re Asking County Officials To Do
o Make the owner cease and desist all operations until the owner leaves the property or successfully reapplies for a zoning change.
o Conduct a full inspection of the property with all proper departments including zoning, waste management, fire, LCSO and any other government bodies applicable and document all findings. IN PROGRESS!
o Take appropriate enforcement action if violations are confirmed. IN PROGRESS!
o Investigate whether the Lee County Property Appraiser can claw back the past three years of property taxes not paid on the property because the owner said it was being used as a Church.
o Provide transparency by updating residents on the findings and next steps taken by Lee County.
We are not making accusations of intent or wrongdoing. Our goal is to ensure that Lee County’s zoning laws are applied consistently and equitably for all residents.
🌿 Why It Matters
Zoning laws exist to protect communities from incompatible land uses that diminish neighborhood character, quality of life, and property values.
Allowing a church-run drug rehab in AG-2 zones sets a dangerous precedent — one that threatens the peace and safety of residents who rely on zoning enforcement to safeguard their homes and investments.
We support agriculture and fair business practices. However, we believe that this type of facility that was never approved by our surrounding neighbors should only occur in properly zoned areas, not in rural neighborhoods where families live and raise children.
⚠️ Legal & Public Interest Disclaimer
This petition is based entirely on publicly available Lee County records, direct observations, and professional real estate consultations obtained by nearby property owners.
It expresses citizen concern regarding potential zoning inconsistencies and seeks official government review and enforcement. No accusations of intentional wrongdoing or illegal conduct are being made against any individual or business. All statements are presented in good faith, for the purpose of promoting lawful, transparent, and consistent zoning enforcement within Lee County, Florida.
✅ Sign this petition to stand with Deer Run Farm Road and surrounding residents and urge Lee County to protect our agricultural neighborhoods from unauthorized encroachment.
To contact the BOCC (BOCC members would vote on rezoning if the owner reapplies):
dist1@leegov.com
dist2@leegov.com
dist4@leegov.com
dist3@leegov.com
dist5@leegov.com
416
The Issue
UPDATE: The county has found the New Life Dream Center drug rehab on Deer Run Farms Road to be in violation of land use (not an allowable use in AG-2) and permitting (turning a single family home into a “commercial operation”) plus building/property maintenance which can include exposed electrical wiring, waste, vent and supply piping issues. These three open violations - VIO2026-00930, VIO2026-00931 and VIO2026-00932 - are public record and viewable at https://aca-prod.accela.com/LEECO This is a step in the right direction, but not a resolution to this issue - what happens next remains to be seen. As such, PLEASE continue to share this petition and contact our County Commissioners to respectfully voice your opinion. This is not about trying to stop people from getting the help they need. This is about the safety of our neighborhood. An unlicensed drug rehab, a facility that admittedly takes people directly from the courts “as an alternative to incarceration,” established itself in our community without ever giving us any opportunity to have a voice on the matter.
Also, Adam Botana rescinded his $1.85 million budget request so that funding for them to expand is not happening in this cycle.
An unapproved drug rehabilitation facility does not belong in our neighborhood
We’re calling on Lee County officials to uphold AG-2 zoning laws and protect our community’s and children’s safety.
⚖️ Why We’re Petitioning
We, the undersigned residents of unincorporated Lee County, are asking Lee County officials to take action regarding the unapproved drug rehabilitation for 30+ formerly incarcerated or court appointed male and female residents that has or will continue to take place at 10851 Deer Run Farms Road, which is zoned Agricultural (AG-2). Our goal is simple: Enforce existing zoning laws fairly and transparently so that AG-2 neighborhoods remain agricultural and residential — not a nonprofit-run, exempt from State of Florida substance abuse licensure, drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.
🏗️ What’s Happening at 10851 Deer Run Farms Rd.
Zoning Classification: This property located at 10851 Deer Run Farms Road is currently zoned Agricultural (AG-2), and no petition to change this property’s zoning has been received, reviewed or approved. The AG-2 zoning district does allow single-family residences in addition to other uses, including agricultural uses.
This drug rehabilitation facility is classified as Social Services, Group III by the County’s Land Development Code. This use is generally described as “Establishments primarily engaged in providing temporary living facilities for individuals with personal or social problems.” This use is not listed as a permitted use in the AG-2 zoning district, and the property would need to be rezoned to establish that use on the property.
State Representative Adam Botana recently sponsored state budget funding (tax payer dollars) for this facility to receive $1.85 million to expand to up to 100 residents on another property OR EXPAND ON THIS CURRENT PROPERTY.
https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/drug-rehab-center-church-neighborhood-lee-florida/70409812
https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/florida-drug-rehab-center-church-zone-fort-myers/70422913
Business Entity: The property operates under WORD OF LIFE MINISTRIES INC
6111 SOUTH POINTE BLVD
FORT MYERS FL 33919
o Observed Activity: Residents have documented multiple individuals residing on the property, excessive garbage – that attracts raccoons and vultures, etc. - each week that should be disposed of by a dumpster on the property, not taxpayer dollars through Waste Management, individuals with stated drug and alcohol issues wandering the neighborhood and trespassing on to neighbor’s properties without permission, foul use of language and foul gestures to neighborhood residents.
Code Enforcement:
o Active Code Enforcement violations are currently open for this property and have been being reported since 2024.
o At the time this petition was posted,the owner had not allowed the county onto the property to investigate even though they said they would comply. UPDATED: the owner finally allowed County code enforcement onto the property on Feb. 26, 2026.
o All information regarding these cases is publicly available through Lee County’s Code Enforcement database.
To make a code enforcement violation, visit https://www.leegov.com/dcd/CodeEnf
Residents have gathered this information from public records and direct observation, not speculation.
🏘️ How It’s Affecting the Community
The impact of the ongoing activity has been deeply felt by neighboring homeowners:
o Safety concerns for all neighbors. Women are afraid to walk past the home on daily walks.
o Unseemly trash weekly that should be required to be kept inside their gates in a commercial dumpster and not allowed to attract dangerous wildlife including rabid raccoons and vultures.
o Residents of the property have been seen numerous times trimming landscaping and tossing it into the drainage areas across the street that is a private property. Drainage ditches that are not maintained flood us all in the case of heavy rains and hurricanes.
o Environmental concerns as this property is surrounded by protected cypress and wetland areas. The property needs to be inspected for how many septic tanks are accessible for the 30+ residents recently living on the property.
These conditions have caused understandable frustration and concern among neighbors who purchased homes in an area zoned and intended for agricultural and residential use.
🙏 What We’re Asking County Officials To Do
o Make the owner cease and desist all operations until the owner leaves the property or successfully reapplies for a zoning change.
o Conduct a full inspection of the property with all proper departments including zoning, waste management, fire, LCSO and any other government bodies applicable and document all findings. IN PROGRESS!
o Take appropriate enforcement action if violations are confirmed. IN PROGRESS!
o Investigate whether the Lee County Property Appraiser can claw back the past three years of property taxes not paid on the property because the owner said it was being used as a Church.
o Provide transparency by updating residents on the findings and next steps taken by Lee County.
We are not making accusations of intent or wrongdoing. Our goal is to ensure that Lee County’s zoning laws are applied consistently and equitably for all residents.
🌿 Why It Matters
Zoning laws exist to protect communities from incompatible land uses that diminish neighborhood character, quality of life, and property values.
Allowing a church-run drug rehab in AG-2 zones sets a dangerous precedent — one that threatens the peace and safety of residents who rely on zoning enforcement to safeguard their homes and investments.
We support agriculture and fair business practices. However, we believe that this type of facility that was never approved by our surrounding neighbors should only occur in properly zoned areas, not in rural neighborhoods where families live and raise children.
⚠️ Legal & Public Interest Disclaimer
This petition is based entirely on publicly available Lee County records, direct observations, and professional real estate consultations obtained by nearby property owners.
It expresses citizen concern regarding potential zoning inconsistencies and seeks official government review and enforcement. No accusations of intentional wrongdoing or illegal conduct are being made against any individual or business. All statements are presented in good faith, for the purpose of promoting lawful, transparent, and consistent zoning enforcement within Lee County, Florida.
✅ Sign this petition to stand with Deer Run Farm Road and surrounding residents and urge Lee County to protect our agricultural neighborhoods from unauthorized encroachment.
To contact the BOCC (BOCC members would vote on rezoning if the owner reapplies):
dist1@leegov.com
dist2@leegov.com
dist4@leegov.com
dist3@leegov.com
dist5@leegov.com
416
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Petition created on February 24, 2026