Cape Council votes to annex 5 acres of city-owned property on Matlacha
More than 20 residents of Matlacha and Pine Island paraded to the podium Monday night to voice their opposition to the Cape Coral City Council’s effort to annex a five-acre parcel into the city’s boundaries.
The parcel is made up of six individual lots that the city purchased in 2012 in a package of 491 parcels for $13 million, a deal that also included the Seven Islands property in northwest Cape Coral. The parcels under consideration for annexation serve as a parking lot for the boat launch ramp at D & D Bait & Tackle. The city wants to add the property to its parks plan and improve the ramp access points.
Despite the overwhelming objections, council voted down a proposal by Councilmember Rick Williams to postpone the annexation vote until February to allow more discussion and “work with them to straighten out a lot of misinformation that is out there.” Council then approved the annexation ordinance 4-3 with members Jessica Cosden, Richard Leon and Willims casting the dissenting votes. Councilmember Jim Burch was an excused absence.
“That is the gateway to the Matlacha community,” said one speaker.
Others cited the unique wildlife habitat of the estuary, the threat of overdevelopment, pollution of the waters since the Ceitus boat lift was removed, and the financial impact on the Matlacha Fire Control District that serves the property in question.
Another called the property historically part of Matlacha and said annexation is a threat to the sovereignty of Matlacha, expressing fears the city may want to annex more property west.
One speaker cited the city’s recent approval of eight-story structures at the Seven Islands property over the objections of the neighboring residents as a clear message that this council will do what it wants with the property against citizen opposition.
Other citizens asked council to sell the property to Matlacha instead of annexing it, or donate it to the Calusa Land Trust for preservation.
Others were concerned about emergency services response times, particularly at peak season, evacuation delays, increased traffic at the improved launch, navigation safety of the narrow waterway, and the impact on the manatee population’s migration route.
Other business before Council Monday night included approval of the Southeast 47th Terrace Streetscape Project with the approval of hiring CPH, Inc., to perform design services. Council also approved hiring Cardno, Inc., for topographic survey work on the project area and an interlocal agreement between the city and the Community Redevelopment Agency on the financing aspect of the $8.5 million project.
Council members, meeting as the CRA Board of Commissioners before the council meeting, approved all three of the above actions that council unanimously approved later.
A brief presentation by CPH outlined a plan to reduce the driving lanes to 10 feet wide to expand the pedestrian friendly and landscaping aspects of the project with possible roundabout components at Vincennes Boulevard and Southeast 10th place to help calm traffic.
CPH laid out plans to lessen the impact of construction on businesses by keeping two lanes open at all times, first on one side of the street then the other.
City Manager John Szerlag told Council construction could begin during Fiscal Year 2018 and completion in about a year.
Council members are scheduled to meet in a special workshop session at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Nicholas Annex building to close out the year. Council’s next regular meeting is Jan. 9.
Cape Council votes to annex 5 acres of city-owned property on Matlacha
More than 20 residents of Matlacha and Pine Island paraded to the podium Monday night to voice their opposition to the Cape Coral City Council’s effort to annex a five-acre parcel into the city’s boundaries.
The parcel is made up of six individual lots that the city purchased in 2012 in a package of 491 parcels for $13 million, a deal that also included the Seven Islands property in northwest Cape Coral. The parcels under consideration for annexation serve as a parking lot for the boat launch ramp at D & D Bait & Tackle. The city wants to add the property to its parks plan and improve the ramp access points.
Despite the overwhelming objections, council voted down a proposal by Councilmember Rick Williams to postpone the annexation vote until February to allow more discussion and “work with them to straighten out a lot of misinformation that is out there.” Council then approved the annexation ordinance 4-3 with members Jessica Cosden, Richard Leon and Willims casting the dissenting votes. Councilmember Jim Burch was an excused absence.
“That is the gateway to the Matlacha community,” said one speaker.
Others cited the unique wildlife habitat of the estuary, the threat of overdevelopment, pollution of the waters since the Ceitus boat lift was removed, and the financial impact on the Matlacha Fire Control District that serves the property in question.
Another called the property historically part of Matlacha and said annexation is a threat to the sovereignty of Matlacha, expressing fears the city may want to annex more property west.
One speaker cited the city’s recent approval of eight-story structures at the Seven Islands property over the objections of the neighboring residents as a clear message that this council will do what it wants with the property against citizen opposition.
Other citizens asked council to sell the property to Matlacha instead of annexing it, or donate it to the Calusa Land Trust for preservation.
Others were concerned about emergency services response times, particularly at peak season, evacuation delays, increased traffic at the improved launch, navigation safety of the narrow waterway, and the impact on the manatee population’s migration route.
Other business before Council Monday night included approval of the Southeast 47th Terrace Streetscape Project with the approval of hiring CPH, Inc., to perform design services. Council also approved hiring Cardno, Inc., for topographic survey work on the project area and an interlocal agreement between the city and the Community Redevelopment Agency on the financing aspect of the $8.5 million project.
Council members, meeting as the CRA Board of Commissioners before the council meeting, approved all three of the above actions that council unanimously approved later.
A brief presentation by CPH outlined a plan to reduce the driving lanes to 10 feet wide to expand the pedestrian friendly and landscaping aspects of the project with possible roundabout components at Vincennes Boulevard and Southeast 10th place to help calm traffic.
CPH laid out plans to lessen the impact of construction on businesses by keeping two lanes open at all times, first on one side of the street then the other.
City Manager John Szerlag told Council construction could begin during Fiscal Year 2018 and completion in about a year.
Council members are scheduled to meet in a special workshop session at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Nicholas Annex building to close out the year. Council’s next regular meeting is Jan. 9.