How the Developer directs County Staff

On May 9, 2025, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Advisory Committee (ANRAC) issued a formal recommendation regarding Petition TCP-24-04. The committee, led by Chairman Nigel Morris, expressed serious concerns regarding a requested density increase from 6,000 to 8,000 units. 

On October 1, 2025, Daniel DeLisi (Pulte Group agent) sent an email to County staff (Jie Shao) regarding the "US 17 RSAOD" project. In that email, he gave an explicit instruction to alter the record:

"Take out the ANRAC letter. They are not an official review committee. I get what you are trying to say and do with that, but it gives them more standing than they deserve."

Why This Matters

The Agriculture and Natural Resources Advisory Committee is a recognized body of volunteers that meets regularly to review and discuss Large Scale Plan Amendments in Charlotte County. By labeling them as a group that does not deserve "standing," the developer successfully lobbied to have a dissenting, fact-based opinion removed from the view of decision-makers.

This exchange raises a fundamental question: Should a private developer have the authority to decide which public committee recommendations the Public and the Board of County Commissioners is allowed to see?