North 1 West UEP Informational Packet

Property owners in the North 1 West Utility Expansion Project area may have a lot of questions, especially concerning costs, projected at $33,000-plus for a standard-sized lot if paid in advance.

The city of Cape Coral will try to answer those questions and more at an informational meeting and open house set for 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.

“The open house is for residents in the North 1 West project area to ask one-on-one questions specific to their property and individual situations,” said Kaitlyn Mullen, city spokesperson. “As you know, public hearings provide a platform for residents to provide input, but that is a one-way communication and does not allow for a back-and-forth discussion.

Property owners can speak with a representative on topics such as what to expect during UEP construction, septic tank abandonment, endangered species in the project area, the city’s hardship program and one-on-one Q&A sessions regarding UEP assessment payment options, Mullen said.

Residents must check-in for one-on-one sessions to secure a time slot with city staff. Homeowners are asked to bring their assessment notice to assist staff in answering questions.

All six project contractors will be in Council Chambers; the Health Department and a representative knowledgeable about endangered species will be on the catwalk; and the hardship representative will be available in the city manager’s lobby for privacy. The one-on-one Q&A regarding UEP payment options will take place in conference room 220A.

“We expect this event to be well-attended so residents can understand how the process works,” Mullen said.

The UEP will provide the area with city water, sewer, and irrigation services. New roads and stormwater improvements will be built as part of the project. The city has already extended utilities to nearly all of Cape Coral south of Pine Island Road and is currently working its way north.

The city estimates that for those who choose to pre-pay in full between March 2023 through Sept. 30, 2023, the assessments for a 10,000-square-foot lot in North 1 West will be $26,617 — $7,246 for water, $13,330 for sewer and $6,041 for irrigation.

The estimated Capacity Facility Expansion Charge is $6,750 — $1,106 for water, $3,390 for sewer and $2,254 for irrigation bring the total tally to $33,367.

For those who choose to pay in full between Oct. 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024, the assessments for a 10,000-square-foot lot in North 1 West will be $28,658 — $7,802 for water, $14,352 for sewer and $6,504 for irrigation.

The estimated Capacity Facility Expansion Charge is $7,273 — $1,196 for water, $3,650 for sewer and $2,427 for irrigation for a total tally of $35,931.

As proposed, property owners will have the option to pay annually over 20, 25 or 30 years, with the first bill coming in November 2024 as an additional levy on the property tax bill.

Over 20 years, property owners would pay $4,365 per year, equal to $363.75 per month. At 25 years property owners would pay $3,991 annually, about $332.58 per month. Someone who chooses the default 30-year option would pay $3,740 annually, nearly $311 per month, with the total payout estimated at $112,200 over the term of the loan.

The interest rate is estimated at 6.5 percent.

The meeting will be held on the second floor of City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.

The final public hearing for the Final Assessment Resolution has been set for March 22 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

The meeting, which will include public input, will begin at 4:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

The design for North 1 East are about 70 percent complete. Assessments have not yet been set but are expected to be noticed to property owners early next year.