News Summary
GL Homes is set to propose the development of the shuttered Calusa golf course into a vibrant residential community on April 23, 2026. The modified plan seeks to build 525 single-family homes while addressing environmental concerns, notably around the tricolored heron rookery. Community members have raised traffic and wildlife impact concerns as the project faces scrutiny ahead of the crucial vote.
Reviving a Former Golf Gem: The Calusa Golf Course Development Proposal
Excitement and concern are swirling around the proposal from GL Homes to develop the old Calusa golf course, a 168-acre site that has long been an integral part of the local landscape. Set for a crucial vote on April 23, 2026, the Miami-Dade County commissioners will decide whether this project will go forward or remain a dream. Initially postponed due to community objections, the project now aims to resurrect the golf course site into a vibrant residential area featuring 525 new homes.
What’s on the Table?
Originally proposing 550 homes, GL Homes has made some notable updates to their plan based on feedback from the community. They are now aiming for a slightly reduced number of residences while creating a buffer zone of nearly 300 feet around the active tricolored heron rookery that’s located within the golf course grounds. This modification is a response to the community’s calls for safer distances from the nesting areas. However, conservation advocates are still pushing for a bigger buffer, ideally 330 feet, to adequately protect the bird habitat.
Preserving Nature Amid Development
The Calusa site is not just a vacant lot; it is home to an important multi-species bird rookery that includes the state-threatened tricolored heron. Other feathered residents include great egrets, anhingas, wood storks, spoonbills, and white pelicans. The presence of such biodiversity highlights the importance of this location. Recognizing its significance, regulations have been put in place to safeguard these species. Even with FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s support for the project, many community members and environmental groups remain skeptical about the potential impact on wildlife.
Traffic Woes: The Community’s Concerns
Another contentious issue is traffic. With 525 new homes potentially being added to the community, leaders and residents alike are worried about congestion on local roads, as well as strains on schools and infrastructure in West Kendall. In an effort to address these concerns, GL Homes has come up with strategies to mitigate traffic and has pledged to enhance community safety by providing privately funded police presence. However, critiques are already flying regarding a traffic study that only looked at a single day of data, raising eyebrows about its reliability for such a big project.
The Journey So Far
It’s worth noting that the road to development has been anything but smooth. The Calusa golf course was in operation until its closure in 2011. An earlier 99-year development covenant prevented any construction until 2067, but it was lifted after a compensation deal was struck with neighboring homeowners in late 2020. After purchasing the land for $32 million, GL Homes faced an overturned approval of their original development plan in 2021, thanks to a legal challenge over public notice issues. Currently, the site is zoned for parks and recreation, meaning a zoning change is necessary to pave the way for residential development.
The Proposal at a Glance
| Developer | GL Homes |
| Project Location | Former Calusa Golf Course, unincorporated Miami-Dade County |
| Acreage | 168 acres |
| Current Proposal (Homes) | 525 single-family homes |
| Previous Proposal (Homes) | 550 single-family homes (overturned by court) |
| Key Community Concerns | Increased traffic, impact on tricolored heron rookery, insufficient green space, inadequate infrastructure |
| Protected Species on Site | Tricolored heron (state-threatened), egrets, anhingas, wood storks, spoonbills, white pelicans |
| Developer’s Buffer Zone Proposal | Nearly 300-foot buffer from rookery (measured from nearest bird nest) |
| Next Major Step | Miami-Dade County Commission vote on April 23, 2026 |
What Lies Ahead?
The decision from the Miami-Dade County commissioners is sure to affect not only the community’s landscape but also the future of urban development in similar environments. As residents voice their concerns over traffic and wildlife impacts, they will be keenly watching what unfolds come April. Homeowners, bird enthusiasts, and traffic experts are all on their toes, eager to see whether this golf course evolves into a community of homes or remains untouched.
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