Property History

I am requesting an urgent reinspection of the duplex at 17578/17580 Cypress Point Road, Fort Myers, FL 33967, particularly the 17580 unit directly adjacent to the property we manage at 17586 Cypress Point Road. RPPM has managed 17586 Cypress Point Road as a rental property for nearly 20 years. During that time, we never experienced recurring flooding or water intrusion before the recent construction and renovation activity at the neighboring property. The only prior significant water intrusion occurred after Hurricane Ian, when both sides of our duplex were affected. The current situation is materially different. Only 17586, the unit closest to 17580 Cypress Point Road, has flooded repeatedly, and the problem began after substantial interior and exterior work commenced next door. We recognize that timing and proximity alone do not conclusively establish the cause. However, the property’s nearly 20-year history and the location and frequency of these incidents raise serious concerns that changes to the neighboring property’s grading, drainage, elevation, hardscaping, roof runoff, or other surfaces may be directing stormwater toward 17586. We are also unable to confirm whether all construction was properly permitted and inspected. Code Enforcement previously opened a violation regarding this issue, which now appears to have been closed. Although the neighboring owner made minor changes, the underlying problem remains. We have time-stamped exterior surveillance footage covering the relevant period, and the work originally directed by the Code Enforcement officer does not appear to have been fully completed. The footage reflects only limited activity, and the continued flooding demonstrates that the condition prompting the original violation still exists. The consequences have been substantial. The owner has incurred repeated repair expenses and lost rental income. The former tenant’s belongings were damaged during three separate flooding incidents, and she ultimately moved out. The unit is now vacant, causing additional financial hardship while remaining vulnerable to further damage. We respectfully request that Code Enforcement: 1. Review or reopen the prior violation and reinspect 17578/17580 Cypress Point Road, particularly the 17580 side and the drainage area adjoining 17586. 2. Compare the current conditions with the corrective work originally ordered and confirm what evidence supported closing the prior case. 3. Verify whether the neighboring construction was properly permitted and inspected. 4. Determine whether grading, fill, drainage, hardscaping, roof runoff, structures, or other modifications are causing or contributing to stormwater being directed toward 17586. 5. Require corrective action if the prior work remains incomplete or other violations are identified. 6. Provide the case number, inspection findings, and next steps. We are not seeking unnecessary conflict or asking the County to assume wrongdoing. We are requesting a renewed review because the problem remains unresolved and continues to cause measurable damage. With hurricane season and continued heavy rainfall, we need assistance before another flooding event occurs. We can provide photographs, videos, time-stamped surveillance footage, repair invoices, tenant communications, incident dates, and historical records. We will also make 17586 Cypress Point Road available for inspection and cooperate fully. Given the prior violation, repeated damage, tenant displacement, continuing financial losses, and risk of another occurrence, we respectfully request prompt assistance.