The Collier County Board of County Commissioners has approved plans for a 150-apartment complex

A significant affordable housing project is set to be developed in North Naples, Florida. The Collier County Board of County Commissioners has approved plans for a 150-apartment complex called Mattson at Vanderbilt, with nearly half of the units designated for income-restricted affordable housing.

Project Details

The development will be located on Vanderbilt Beach Road, east of Livingston Road, between two existing senior communities. Key aspects of the project include:

• 150 total apartment units
• 72 units (48%) reserved for income-restricted affordable housing
• 5.88 acres of land
• Rezoning from agricultural to residential planned unit development
• Creation of a new subdistrict: Mattson at Vanderbilt Residential Subdistrict

Affordable Housing Breakdown

The affordable housing units will be distributed across various income levels:

• 15% for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
• 15% for households at or below 100% of AMI
• 10% for households at or below 50% of AMI
• 8% for households at or below 120% of AMI

Priority for these units will be given to essential service employees, such as law enforcement officers, nurses, firefighters, and teachers.

Location and Context

The development is strategically located:

• On a six-lane divided highway
• Within a 10-mile radius of many employers, including schools, hospitals, and hotels
• Between Bradford Square (14 units per acre, 53 feet high) and Sandalwood Village (16 units per acre, 62 feet high)

Approval Process

The project has gone through several stages of approval:

1. Unanimous recommendation by the Planning Commission in December 2023
2. 4-1 vote by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners on October 22, 2024
3. Pending approval from the Florida Department of Commerce and other agencies

Considerations and Concerns

While the project has received support for addressing affordable housing needs, some concerns have been raised:

• Traffic increase
• Stormwater runoff
• Infrastructure capacity

County officials believe the project’s location and design will help mitigate these issues, with stormwater being handled on-site.

This development represents a significant step towards addressing affordable housing needs in North Naples, potentially reducing commuter traffic and providing housing options for essential workers closer to their places of employment.