The Estero planning and zoning board put a plan to redevelop a 43 acre plot of land on hold for now.
Residents jam packed, what are normally sparsely attended zoning meetings to voice displeasure with Estero Crossing.
The original plan calls for 455 apartments or condos along with 60,000 square feet for retail space, in what proponents call a "walkable" area.
"It's admirable that the developers are proposing a walkable community, because no one will be able to drive in and out," said Jim Horn.
Other residents say the proposed site, along Corkscrew Road in between I-75 and Three Oaks Parkway will add to an already congested area.
Board members asked the developer to come back with a more scaled down version of the proposal.
"I would say, I can't support this, but go back, work with staff and the applicant and come up with a modified mixed use category," said Board Member Ned Dewhirst.
But supporters are hoping the apartments are included in the plan, saying Estero lacks affordable housing.
I lost an employee today, who had to move back to Sarasota, because it's more affordable to have a house there," said Josh Evans, who owns a small engineering firm nearby.
An attorney for Stock Development says she's not sure when the firm will draw up a new plan.
