Introduction to
The Palm Island Neighborhood Plan
1.0 Preface
Don Pedro Island, Knight Island (including the Palm Island Resort) and Thornton Key is collectively known as “Palm Island”, also referred to as “the Island”. It is a community defined by its distinctive character, natural environment, and longstanding commitment to a unique way of life. As Charlotte County continues to grow and evolve, it has become increasingly important for the Island to articulate a clear, community‑driven vision for its future. The Palm Island Neighborhood Plan serves as that foundation.
1.1 What is a Neighborhood Plan?
The County’s Future Land Use Element recognizes the value of neighborhood‑level planning as a means to preserve and strengthen the identity of individual communities. Under FLU Policy 6.1.1, “Neighborhood Plans” are described as “a community-based planning process that is designed to address the community character issues of a specific neighborhood and is focused on the establishment of community goals, the identification of neighborhood issues of concern, and development of specific strategies to resolve the issues and achieve the goals.” This Plan follows that framework.
While the Neighborhood Plan does not create self‑governance, it provides a formal mechanism through which Charlotte County can recognize, support, and reinforce the uniqueness of Palm Island. By documenting shared values, priorities, and concerns, this Plan helps ensure that future decisions affecting the Island reflect the community’s vision. It also serves as a proactive tool to address potential challenges—such as unwanted development or incompatible infrastructure proposals—before they arise.
1.2 Background
The planning effort began on April 6, 2023, at a town hall meeting with Commissioner Bill Truex hosted by the Palm Island Estates Association, Inc. (PIE) The Don Pedro/Knight Islands Street and Drainage MSTU was identified as the funding source for hiring an engineer to support the process. Over the next two years, the R&B Committee provided input on the RFP, reviewed budgets, set parameters for public engagement, and monitored bidding. Although the County Commission approved the proposal ranking in July 2025, it later voted on October 14, 2025, to cancel the project, citing concerns that the MSTU was not authorized to fund it.
Despite this setback, the community continued the planning effort independently. PIE Action, an autonomous subcommittee of PIE, led the initiative by updating the 2002 community plan. Beginning in October 2025, each draft chapter was posted online with a summary and survey to gather public input, with notices shared via email and Facebook. The final chapter was posted on April 28, 2026, followed by publication of the Vision Statement survey results on May 5. Two town hall workshops on May 13 and 16 provided additional feedback, which was incorporated into the final draft.
1.3 Overall Conclusion
This Plan reflects the input, aspirations, and collective commitment of the Island’s residents and property owners. All members of the community were welcome to participate in the planning process, ensuring that the resulting vision was inclusive, representative, and grounded in shared values. Through this collaborative effort, the Neighborhood Plan establishes a path forward that honors the Island’s past, protects its present, and guides its future.
