Legal Fight Continues Over East Naples Riviera Golf Course

The long-running battle over the fate of the Riviera Golf Course in East Naples has taken a new turn.

The owners, La Minnesota, have formally appealed a February circuit court ruling that ordered the property to remain a golf course until 2030, honoring existing protective covenants.

⚖️ The Dispute in Focus

• What the court decided: A circuit judge sided with the Riviera Golf Estates Homeowners Association, enforcing a 1990 covenant that mandates the property’s use for golf through 2030 .

• Owner’s response: La Minnesota argues this covenant was a clerical holdover unrelated to future land use, and it battles the ruling under Florida’s Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA), which limits such deed restrictions to 30 years.

👥 Who’s at Stake

• Homeowners: About 700 residents in Riviera Golf Estates are banking on the course remaining as-is to preserve property values and neighborhood character.

• Developer: La Minnesota aims to unlock development potential—likely for housing—but faces pushback from the HOA and court-imposed restrictions.

⏭️ What Happens Next

A new hearing has been set before Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeal. That panel will determine whether the MRTA can override the 1990 affidavit—or if the covenant stays, freezing development until 2030.

✅ What You Should Know

• Timeline: Circuit court ruled in February. La Minnesota filed its appeal in June. Now it awaits the appellate court’s decision.

• Possible outcomes: If the appeal succeeds, restrictions fall away—opening the door for development. If not, the land must remain a golf course for another five years.

• Broader implications: The case may set legal precedent on MRTA’s reach in Florida real estate law.

As the legal drama unfolds, East Naples residents and developers await the appellate ruling. Next up: oral arguments in the coming weeks, which could reshape future land-use debates statewide.