Proposed Collier Beach Club Project Raises Questions About Zoning and Coastal Use

A New Beach Club Concept Surfaces in Collier County

Plans are emerging for a private beach club along Gulf Shore Drive in North Naples — a proposal that could bring a fresh wave of scrutiny to Collier County’s coastal zoning policies.

The concept calls for transforming roughly 1.3 acres of residential property into a boutique-scale private club with beach amenities, on-site parking, and guest facilities. The parcels sit near the intersection of Gulf Shore Drive and Bayview, in a high-value stretch of coastal real estate where development pressure is already intense.

What’s Being Proposed

• Private Membership Model – The club would operate as a members-only destination offering access to the Gulf shoreline, dining, and leisure facilities.

• Rezoning Request – The site is currently designated for low-density residential use. Developers are seeking a conditional-use approval to allow a commercial-style club within the residential coastal overlay.

• Limited Footprint + Vertical Design – Early concepts indicate low-rise structures and landscaped parking intended to preserve sightlines and minimize visual impact from the street.

Zoning and Regulatory Hurdles

Because the project sits within the Coastal Hazard Area, it must satisfy stringent regulations on elevation, dune preservation, and storm-surge resilience. The county’s Growth Management Department will require coastal construction control-line approval, traffic mitigation studies, and detailed environmental assessments.

Collier County commissioners will ultimately decide whether the land-use change aligns with the Comprehensive Plan — a key test of how flexible local policy is when balancing private recreation against public coastal access.

Community Impact & Concerns

Residents along Gulf Shore Drive are watching closely. Potential flashpoints include:

• Traffic and Parking Flow – How member and service vehicles will enter and exit in an already narrow coastal corridor.

• Public Access Perception – Whether privatizing beachfront space could restrict traditional access points.

• Environmental Safeguards – How construction, lighting, and landscaping might affect dune systems and turtle-nesting zones.

Supporters frame the project as a way to introduce an upscale amenity while maintaining coastal charm; critics worry it could accelerate commercialization of residential shoreline.

Why It Matters

The outcome of this review could set a precedent for future waterfront redevelopment across Collier County. If approved, the Collier Beach Club could open the door for similar proposals seeking conditional-use flexibility in coastal neighborhoods. Conversely, a denial might reaffirm the county’s more conservative stance on non-residential projects west of U.S. 41.

What Comes Next

The project will proceed through Planning Commission hearings before moving to the Board of County Commissioners later this year. Environmental and traffic studies are expected to be finalized before public comment sessions open.

If approved, construction could begin in late 2026 with a projected opening the following year — but any legal or environmental appeal could easily extend that timeline.

The proposed Collier Beach Club sits at the intersection of growth, exclusivity, and coastal preservation. Whether it becomes a blueprint for future luxury amenities or a case study in overreach will depend on how Collier County navigates the fine line between development and the delicate Gulf shoreline.