‘Strong advisory’: Residents urged to reduce water use
In advance of Monday’s City Council meeting, Cape Coral has issued a notice of emergency advisory regarding the use of irrigation water in the city.
City Manager John Szerlag issued the strong advisory on Thursday encouraging residents to reduce watering of lawns and landscaping even under the current two-day watering schedule. Property owners are asked to voluntarily adjust timers to water only one day each week.
The advisory was issued because water levels in the city’s freshwater canals is declining rapidly. The canals supply more than 50 percent of water used for irrigation. A request to reduce watering time in January produced minimal results. The peak of the dry season still has not arrived.
The city estimates only four weeks of supply remains in the canals and lacking rain and conservation, a Stage 1 declaration for mandatory one-day watering may become necessary.
To do its part, the city will reduce watering of medians and city facilities to one day per week, excluding ballfields, golf course and Del Prado medians. It also is stepping up enforcement activity to address illegal watering.
Watering by hand is allowed at any time.
Council agenda
Monday’s City Council will hear an appeal of a decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals that seeks to reverse a denial of a request to expand the number of U-Haul rental units allowed at DeBono’s, 2200 Santa Barbara Blvd. The business has operated at the location since 1984 and added the rental equipment in 1999.
In June of 2016 the Zoning board approved a revised site plan with conditions, but a plan shown by the applicant differed from the approved plan and the board denied a special exception.
The site is zoned commercial with a commercial/professional land use designation. The 20,000-square-foot property consists of a convenience store with gas pumps. A staff analysis in 2015 found the use has not operated consistent with the special exception resolution, specifically unauthorized vans, more trucks and trailers than approved and vehicles being parked on nearby properties.
Council also will continue this week’s discussion of the City Auditor’s position and hear a presentation on the Good Wheels operations in the city.
Monday’s meeting starts at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers in City Hall.