Cape Council to consider Seven Island resolution Monday
The resolution that is expected to kickstart the Seven Islands development project in Northwest Cape Coral to the next phase comes before City Council for approval on Monday at City Hall.
The resolution accepts the final consultant’s report and establishes the maximum building height at eight stories. Upon approval, council directs staff to proceed with the recommended work plan vision for future development.
The plan presented to council Monday was put together by the consulting firm CPH, Inc. It was reviewed by Community Development director Vince Cautero after more than a year of public meetings with residents, staff, other stakeholders and citywide survey results.
A majority on council was comfortable with the eight-story height limit in the belief that eight stories is not considered a high rise development.
Councilmember Rana Erbrick said the property presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city.
“We can wish all we want, but the developer ultimately will determine what goes there,” said Erbrick. “I still say we should go big or go home. Besides, eight stories is not a high-rise.”
Others on the board thought height of any development on the city-owned property should be half that.
“Four stories has always been my height and I’m sticking with it,” said Councilmember Rick Williams, who represents the district in which the Seven Islands is located. “I think we should concentrate on what types of attractions to develop to make it a destination. Building height is residential. That’s not a destination. We should look at the amenities.”
The plan features a series of mixed use residential/commercial development ideas to offer marinas, beaches, multi-story hotel and residential structures, community center and other amenities available for public use.
The original plan ranged from two stories to 10 or more stories. By process of elimination over the last few months, council decided between the final two options last Monday.
With the maximum building height decided, staff can begin determining the appropriate land use and zoning designations that will attract developers interested in bringing forth designs and details for the city-owned property either through a purchase of the property or by hammering out a public/private partnership agreement to move forward.
Monday’s meeting starts at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers after the members convene a meeting at 3 p.m. as Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners.