Bonita Springs residents sue over eagle nest
Bonita Springs is named in a lawsuit filed by three Bonita Bay residents unhappy new homes will be built near their homes and the city’s oldest eagle’s nest.
Bonita Bay also is named in the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday.
The suit asks for an emergency temporary restraining order on city-issued development orders that allow construction within 330 feet of the eagle’s nest, which was discovered 30 years ago.
It states the development violates the city’s own ordinances and long-term planning guides.
Bonita Bay’s rezoning request was denied by the city last year.
Bonita Bay appealed the decision and a state administrative hearing judge overruled the city’s decision in April.
The Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission, comprised of Gov. Charlie Crist and his Cabinet, upheld that decision in July.
The city did everything it could to protect the eagles, said Mayor Ben Nelson, but decided not to appeal the state decision.
He said the lawsuit was not unexpected, but he said it could result in more protection for the eagles.
The city council will discuss the lawsuit at its Nov. 5 meeting.