Lee home permits more than double

FORT MYERS — Homebuilders pulled more than twice as many permits to build single-family homes in Lee County in February as they did the same month one year ago, but commercial activity remained subdued.

Builders pulled 79 permits to build single-family homes in Lee County in February, a 132% increase over the same month in 2012, according to the Lee County Community Development Department.

However, in Lee County in February, builders pulled commercial permits worth $2.2 million compared with $3 million in February 2012, indicating a recovery in that sector has not yet taken hold in a significant way.