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German American Club gets OK to hold its flea markets

By Staff | Jan 24, 2011

The German American Social Club’s weekly flea markets are now an accepted use in the Pine Island Corridor, following city council’s approval of its petition.
The group has been hosting the flea markets since November 2011, but city staff found the markets to not be included in the corridor’s set uses, and were recommending denial of the petition.
Former Mayor Eric Feichthaler, speaking on behalf of the GASC, said the club’s intention was not to turn Pine Island Road into “Flea Masters”, but instead provide a “normal” activity of any club or organization in the city.
City Council agreed.
Councilmember Erick Kuehn apologized to the club and its president Gerhard Veith for making them appear before council, especially since they “helped to put the city on the map”.
Kuehn added that the city could not claim a new business friendly approach by denying the petition.
“It’s not business as usual in Cape Coral … it’s a new attitude,” Kuehn said. “Your time table is our time table.We’re here to serve you.”
City Planning Manager Derek Burr said staff was neither for nor against flea markets, indoor or outdoor, it was just that the core zoning district did not allow for them.
The use currently allows for indoor flea markets.
Burr also warned council they could see similar petitions in the future.
Councilmember Kevin McGrail, who supported the petition, wondered if allowing the flea markets would lend credence to staff fears.
I don’t want to see flea markets up and down Pine Island Road,” McGrail said.
City council approved the petition 7 – 1, with Councilmember Marty McClain dissenting.

German American Club gets OK to hold its flea markets

By Staff | Jan 24, 2011

The German American Social Club’s weekly flea markets are now an accepted use in the Pine Island Corridor, following city council’s approval of its petition.
The group has been hosting the flea markets since November 2011, but city staff found the markets to not be included in the corridor’s set uses, and were recommending denial of the petition.
Former Mayor Eric Feichthaler, speaking on behalf of the GASC, said the club’s intention was not to turn Pine Island Road into “Flea Masters”, but instead provide a “normal” activity of any club or organization in the city.
City Council agreed.
Councilmember Erick Kuehn apologized to the club and its president Gerhard Veith for making them appear before council, especially since they “helped to put the city on the map”.
Kuehn added that the city could not claim a new business friendly approach by denying the petition.
“It’s not business as usual in Cape Coral … it’s a new attitude,” Kuehn said. “Your time table is our time table.We’re here to serve you.”
City Planning Manager Derek Burr said staff was neither for nor against flea markets, indoor or outdoor, it was just that the core zoning district did not allow for them.
The use currently allows for indoor flea markets.
Burr also warned council they could see similar petitions in the future.
Councilmember Kevin McGrail, who supported the petition, wondered if allowing the flea markets would lend credence to staff fears.
I don’t want to see flea markets up and down Pine Island Road,” McGrail said.
City council approved the petition 7 – 1, with Councilmember Marty McClain dissenting.