Artist’s rendition of the concept plan now moving forward. PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL

Plans for the Cape Coral Yacht Club — which include a two-story, 37,000-square-foot Community Center, resort-style pool and possibly a four-story parking garage — got a nod from the Cape Coral City Council Wednesday.

Councilmember Dan Sheppard commended Kimley-Horn and Associates for the new design as it took all the ideas and input from citizens and council.

“I am for it 100%,” he said. “I believe if this is accomplished, this design will be an extreme asset to our city. I think it will be well used, and I think we are going to need more parking.”

James Pankonin with Kimley-Horn and Associates said they summarized the comments they heard in November and reflected it in the new influenced plan concept for the Yacht Club.

The preference overall was for the first preliminary concept with minor revisions — such as a curved entry drive into the riverfront park, a replica of the historic fountain moved to a more prominent area, shifting the location of the beach restrooms to a central location, maintaining a walkable path connecting the entire beach front, longer pier without a restaurant, a resort-style pool with a lane component and a quick snack option, Pankonin said.

The overall concern of Council was about having enough parking for what the city envisions will be a destination complex.

Pankonin said based on uses and code, 463 spaces are required. With a three-level garage in the proposed master plan they would have 550 spaces, 90 spaces on top of the minimum requirement.

There are also 158 marina slips – five dedicated to police and fire, 121 slips in the marina basin, 27 slips for the day deck and five slips dedicated to launch and recovery.

Those equate to 708 parking spaces.

There was lengthy discussion about adding a fourth floor to the parking garage, which could potentially add another 150 parking spaces, which the council was highly in favor of adding.

With this addition, the site could potentially offer 904 parking spaces.

“I like the changes to the design. Adding a fourth floor to the parking garage depending on the cost would be something to consider,” Councilmember Tom Hayden said. “We know we have to have enough parking. I like the look and concept moving forward with where we are at.”

The revised final site plan was discussed, which received an overwhelming nod of support from Council.

Pankonin began on the north end of the property which has boat trailer parking for 46 spaces, which was relatively unchanged from the current master plan. The boat marina remained the same as the approved master plan.

The main changes were for the harbor master building, which was shifted down toward the east because the parking garage was expanded into an L shape, he said.

The visual tour then headed south on Driftwood Parkway where there will be access to neighborhoods to the north, which will create some additional stormwater and landscaping opportunities in front of the parking garage. There is an open lawn in this area that can be used for small events.

Pankonin said the smaller pier provides nice views of the sunrise and sunset.

“As you come into the site one of the first things is a reconstructed fountain. It’s a great opportunity for photos. Behind that is a plaza served for gathering or smaller events, or a waiting space for the restaurant,” he said.

Hayden said he is glad the fountain has been worked into the design, but asked if it could be more visible.

Plans also call for a 6,500- to 6,700-square-foot restaurant with an outdoor dining deck.

The presentation highlighted the expanded zero entry resort-style pool that has both 25-foot three-lane functions and a deeper portion of the pool for recreational swimming and gathering. The pool deck will have palms and planter beds, as well as lounge chairs and cabanas for shade.

Next to the adult pool there is a children’s pool that may have slides, or other water activity options.

Along the beach, there will be restrooms that serves the beach front and an additional restroom in the Community Center that would serve the pool patrons.

There is also a nice open lawn that can hold wedding receptions, or gatherings tied to the Community Center building.

The Community Center would have 20,000 square feet on the first floor, and 17,000 square feet on the second.

The first floor would have a foyer with entrances, administrative space, loading and mechanical space, restrooms, bathhouse and locker rooms for the pool area, smaller meeting space in the center, storage space and retail where patrons could pick up such supplies as a quick snack, towels, and sunscreen, Pankonin said.

There also is a multipurpose hall with a very open two-story space, which recreates the volume look and feel, he said.

The second story has an additional ballroom, exterior wrap around balcony that overlooks the pool, river, and canal. There also is a kitchen that supports the ballroom with an elevator, additional storage space, meeting space and restrooms.

Hayden said with the eight possible meeting rooms he would like to have one of those designated as a history room.

“Hopefully those discussions can continue as we move forward,” he said.

The parking garage, harbor master building and restroom will also have a coastal look and feel.

Hayden asked about the timeline regarding the Yacht Club, as residents are curious.

“We have talked about demolition since August. I know there are a lot of unknown variables. We are out to bid on a lot of things and waiting on permits. What are the possible timelines moving forward with this/” he said.

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said right now it is unknown on the construction cost, and demolition, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to do work on the site.

He said demolition can start in 30 days and it takes 60 to 90 days, which takes them out to April, May time. Ilczyszyn said hopefully by May they will have the Army Corps permit.

“Two years are planned for the site work. Now we are adding another floor to the parking garage — I still have scope increasing,” he said.

Ilczyszyn said after demolition there will be an interim for the city to use the space when the building is taken down, pool out and filled and sod and seed is put down. He said the open green space will be open while doing the design. Marine improvements will also be made when they receive the permit.

The city will work out a phasing plan impacting certain areas over other areas.