Developer Syd Kitson Plans Affordable Housing for Teachers at Babcock Ranch

Strategic Insights -

Developer Syd Kitson unveiled plans for affordable housing for teachers at the Babcock Ranch, a 91,000-acre development in Charlotte and Lee counties. The "work force housing" units will be priced based on teacher salaries and reserved for teachers. Kitson also considered building housing for school support staff, such as bus drivers and custodians. The development will include million dollar homes, assisted living complexes, golf courses, a wilderness lodge, and protected environmental land. School officials are cautious, with some questioning the feasibility of the plan and the cost of building new schools.

Key Takeaways:

  • Developer Syd Kitson plans to build affordable housing for teachers at the Babcock Ranch, with prices based on teacher salaries.
  • The housing units will be reserved for teachers and may also include housing for school support staff, such as bus drivers and custodians.
  • The Babcock Ranch development will include 19,500 homes, million dollar homes, assisted living complexes, golf courses, a wilderness lodge, and protected environmental land.
  • At least five to seven new schools will be needed to accommodate an estimated 5,000 students, with a possible location in Lee County.
  • The state is expected to buy 74,000 acres for $350 million for preservation, and Kitson expects to break ground in two to three years.
  • Kitson is considering building a temporary K-12 school or busing children to existing schools in Lee County until the permanent schools are built.
  • School officials are skeptical about the plan, with some questioning the feasibility and cost of building new schools.

Statistics:

  • 91,000 acres: The size of the Babcock Ranch development.
  • 19,500 homes: The number of homes planned for the development.
  • 5,000 students: The estimated number of students to be accommodated by the planned schools.
  • 5-7 schools: The number of new schools planned for the development.
  • $350 million: The price of 74,000 acres being purchased by the state for preservation.
  • 2-3 years: The timeframe for Kitson to break ground on the development.
  • 74,000 acres: The size of the land being purchased by the state for preservation.

Sources:

  • Charlotte County Commission meeting minutes
  • School Board Chairman Barbara Rendell's statement
  • Syd Kitson's presentation to the School Board
  • Charlotte County Superintendent David Gayler's suggestion to build temporary classrooms.