A 5.08-acre lot in Punta Gorda is at the center of a settlement that could reshape how Charlotte County handles protected habitat. Michael Colosi bought the land in 2024 for $130,000, planning to build a home. When he pulled permits, he learned the property sits inside federally protected scrub jay habitat, which came with a fee of nearly $120,000. The fee was mandatory. It could not be waived or reduced.
Colosi refused to pay, and the dispute became a lawsuit against the county. His attorneys argued the land’s tall pines and dense saw palmetto make it unsuitable for scrub jays anyway, and that building on a small portion would pose minimal threat. Now the county plans to settle by purchasing the property for $130,000 and paying $10,000 in legal fees. The land would join the county’s Habitat Conservation Plan network and remain permanent preserve. A public meeting on the settlement is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.
The case puts a spotlight on something buyers across fast-growing Southwest Florida should watch for: habitat fees that can rival the price of the land itself. Neighbor Cathie Skoog said she felt for Colosi because he didn’t get the whole story at purchase, and added that residents appreciate the county buying land out there because it keeps the area rural.
Would you want habitat fees disclosed before closing? Tell us in the comments.
