Port LaBelle Marina Gets Land Use Approvals

Future May Bring New Housing And Commercial Uses At Port LaBelle Marina

LABELLE, FL. -- Port LaBelle Marina, Inc. announced today that their application for land use change has been approved and finalized by settlement agreement between Glades County and the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

"After over three and one half years, we have finally reached a conclusion with the DCA," said Cliff Miller of WestGlades Consulting Service, agent for the owner. "Upon final execution of a settlement agreement between the County and the DCA, the land use classification for the 96 acres has changed from a designation of Agricultural/Open to Transitional," he continued.

This change in designation allows the Marina to have up to 7 units per acre of residential housing and over 100,000 sq. ft. of commercial footage permitting the partnership to market the property for future development.

The Port LaBelle Marina is located approximately 2.5 miles east of the City of LaBelle and is comprised of two basins of approximately 20 acres with 100 wet slips and seventy acres of surrounding acreage.

"It's been a long time coming,"said Walter Ferguson, president of the Marina, "but we're pleased to come to a settlement with the state. Unfortunately, we were unable to come to a conclusion prior to the current market downturn, but we believe this change will allow a developer with foresight and vision to produce a 'destination point' style development within Glades County and in close proximity to Hendry and eastern Lee counties," he added.

The marina currently has about 100 boat docks, with about half occupied. It adjoins the Port LaBelle Inn, lying on the Hendry-Glades county line. Motel improvements have been underway for several months including room renovations,  a new lighted tennis court, signage, and landscaping improvements by the new motel owner.