In a surprising turn of events, Home Depot has pulled out of its plan to build at Lorraine and Rangeland (thanks to local reporter Leslie Dwyer for scooping the confirmation from Home Depot). While this is a big win for everyone who opposed the development, it’s important to stay vigilant. The rezoning issue may still be on the table, and that could open the door for other large-scale projects in the future.
While we’re thrilled with this outcome, it’s worth noting that we’re not opposed to development on Lorraine. We understand growth is part of our community’s future, but we want to see thoughtful, community-focused projects that enhance the area rather than overwhelm it. Think of smaller-scale developments like Main Street in Lakewood Ranch, not massive big-box stores that bring traffic, noise, and disruption.
A huge thank you to everyone who signed the petition—over 2300 of you made your voices heard! This collective effort has made a real difference, but there’s still work to be done. We’re in the process of establishing a community charter to ensure our voices remain strong moving forward. This charter will lay out our shared goals and how we can advocate for responsible development that preserves the character of our neighborhood.
To stay informed about future developments and be part of the next steps, we encourage you to join our Facebook group, Neighbors Against the Home Depot at Lorraine and Rangeland, and sign up for our mailing list for updates.
So, while we can celebrate this step, let’s continue to keep a close eye on any upcoming zoning decisions. The goal is to ensure that any future developments fit the character and needs of our neighborhood.