Treasured Florida landmark just days away from becoming a GOLF COURSE

A beloved slice of Old Florida could soon swap freshly squeezed orange juice for fairways and golf carts – unless desperate locals can pull off one final victory.

The South Naples Citrus Grove, a decades-old landmark famous for its fresh citrus, orange-swirl soft serve and roadside charm, is facing an uncertain future after developers unveiled plans to transform the 169-acre property into an exclusive private golf course.

The proposal is now just days away from its first major hurdle, with Collier County’s Planning Commission due to consider the application on August 6 before county commissioners cast the deciding vote on September 22.

For nearby residents, the fight has become about far more than a golf course.

Many fear the development could forever alter one of the last remaining pockets of rural Naples, replacing peaceful agricultural land bordering protected wildlife habitat with increased traffic, noise and luxury development.

‘If they do rezone the land, and turn this agricultural land residential, I’ve thought about this long and hard – I’ll move,’ resident Gwen Ransone told Realtor.com.

‘All I’ve wanted in my life is just peace and quiet. If this comes to fruition, all I will hear is trucks and cars.’

The battle has already seen one development proposal defeated.

The South Naples Citrus Grove, a decades-old landmark famous for its fresh citrus, orange-swirl soft serve and roadside charm, is facing an uncertain future after developers unveiled plans to transform the 169-acre property into an exclusive private golf course

Earlier this year, developer SWJR Naples LLC sought permission to build up to 423 homes on the agricultural land, which sits within Florida Forever’s conservation boundary near Picayune Strand State Forest.

The proposal sparked fierce public opposition.

Susan Scalf, who has lived part-time in nearby Verona Walk for six years, revealed that she organized neighbors by posting across multiple Facebook groups and encouraged dozens of residents to attend county meetings.

Environmental experts also warned commissioners that the site lies close to critical habitat for endangered Florida panthers, black bears and other wildlife while playing an important role in water management.

County commissioners ultimately voted 3-2 to continue discussions rather than approve the housing proposal, with officials instead exploring whether the land could be purchased and preserved through the county’s Conservation Collier program.

Now, the developer has returned with a dramatically different proposal.

Instead of hundreds of homes, plans now call for an 18-hole private golf course, a clubhouse with a restaurant and up to 10 overnight cabins for members and guests.

But many residents believe the latest proposal is simply another attempt to pave the way for future housing.

Earlier this year, developer SWJR Naples LLC sought permission to build up to 423 homes on the agricultural land, which sits within Florida Forever’s conservation boundary near Picayune Strand State Forest

‘It’s just a ploy to turn the land to residential,’ Ransone told Realtor.com.

‘Once that land is rezoned, that’s it. Then they’re going to build the 423 houses.’

Developer representative Rich Yovanovich rejected those concerns during a neighborhood meeting, insisting the project ‘cannot do anything residential’ and arguing that demand for private golf clubs remains strong because waiting lists at existing clubs are long.

Supporters have also promised the course would achieve Audubon International Gold, an environmental certification.

However, opponents argue that certification is unrelated to the National Audubon Society, which has publicly distanced itself from Audubon International.

The controversy has spilled onto social media, where residents have been urging neighbors to attend this week’s hearing.

Writing in the Golden Gate Estates Neighbors Facebook group, campaign organizer Susie Que warned: ‘Do not let the change of plans fool you. Once this land is rezoned, anything can happen.’

She also claimed: ‘Approving this rezoning weakens the county’s long-standing rural fringe protections and sets a dangerous precedent for every other agricultural parcel in the corridor. If it can be rezoned here, it can be rezoned anywhere.’

The Facebook campaign has generated hundreds of reactions, with many residents voicing concerns about wildlife and future development.

Wildlife remains one of the biggest concerns. The citrus grove borders Picayune Strand State Forest, home to one of the state’s remaining populations of endangered Florida panthers

Black bears, white-tailed deer and other native species also regularly roam through the area

‘Always just changing the building plan and trying to sneak it back in,’ one commenter wrote.

‘I think the land should be preserved. I am not rich enough to be influential unfortunately,’ another added.

Others were more optimistic.

‘You do not have to be rich to be influential. You just have to show up,’ Susie Que replied. ‘Over 70 people walked into that county meeting and changed the outcome once already.’

Wildlife remains one of the biggest concerns.

The citrus grove borders Picayune Strand State Forest, home to one of the state’s remaining populations of endangered Florida panthers, while black bears, white-tailed deer and other native species regularly roam through the area.

Residents also worry about additional traffic, noise, lighting, water usage and pollution.

‘A private golf course with guest cabins would increase traffic on Sabal Palm Road… and add noise, lighting, and activity,’ Scalf told Realtor.com.

While the citrus grove’s owners have previously said citrus farming has become increasingly difficult because of greening disease, preservation remains a possibility

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‘I do not see it as clearly better for the community.’

Some residents argue Collier County simply doesn’t need more housing or another luxury golf destination.

‘All I see is development. Ever since Covid occurred, they have been building like crazy,’ Ransone said.

‘If you’re driving down here, there’s plenty of land for sale that’s residential. This is different; this is agricultural land, and it is precious and it is rare.’

While the citrus grove’s owners have previously said citrus farming has become increasingly difficult because of greening disease, preservation remains a possibility.

Commissioner Rick LoCastro has announced that the county is pursuing a formal appraisal to determine whether the land could qualify for purchase using Conservation Collier funds.

If an agreement can be reached with the landowner, the property could remain permanently protected instead of being redeveloped.

For now, however, residents are preparing for what could be the biggest planning battle the area has faced in years.

‘I said, if we lose, we lose, but at least I did something, and I fought for what I thought was right,’ Ransone said.

And if the golf course is ultimately approved?

‘It doesn’t seem like Naples anymore,’ she said.

‘That was the allure of Naples – it’s so peaceful and calm, and that’s why people would vacation here. It was all I wanted. But if this happens, I’m gone. I won’t live like that.’