Planning Zoning board meeting, May 5, 2026

The City of Bonita Springs Planning and Zoning Board held a meeting on May 5, 2026, primarily to discuss requests for demolition of two historic buildings located on city-owned property. The board reviewed presentations and reports regarding the deteriorated condition of the former Bonita Wonder Gardens restaurant building and the facade of the relocated Goodbread and Dixie Moon Cafe. Despite public appeals to preserve these historic structures, the board considered engineering assessments, safety concerns, and the lack of private funding interest. The board voted to approve the demolition of the Wonder Gardens building and to deny the demolition of the Goodbread facade, opting instead to preserve it as a monument. The discussions highlighted the city's challenges in balancing historic preservation with financial and safety realities, as well as the role of city council in final decisions. No new budget allocations or procurement contracts were directly approved during this meeting, but the outcomes may influence future city spending on historic preservation and redevelopment projects.