Seven Islands agreement gets nod
Second and final public hearing for development plans set for Jan. 21
Seven Islands Ordinance 60-25 (2)The Seven Islands development cleared its penultimate hurdle Wednesday and will come back before the Cape Coral City Council for its second and final public hearing later this month.
City Economic Development Manager Sharon Woodberry said the ordinance under consideration is a development agreement between the city and Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina, LLC.
Council first authorized development of the property in 2022, selling the 48-acre site it has acquired at a multi-parcel foreclose for $20 million.
As part of the transaction, a master plan was established for how the property off Old Burnt Store Road will be developed.
“Staff worked closely with the developer over the last three years to talk through and identify all the elements,” Woodberry said.
The developer actively engaged with the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, she added.
“They have expressed support of the project,” Woodberry said.
Seven Islands is a series of manmade “hammerhead” islands, each narrowly connected to the roadway.
Development plans call for mixed use project with a maximum of 995 residential units, 10-story hotel, 39 slip marina, a 16,500-square-foot community center, amphitheater, dog park, splash pad and kayak launch.
Seven Islands will have a minimum of 45,000 square feet of commercial space, which is in addition to the hotel.
The agreement also includes infrastructure enhancements along Old Burnt Store Road and will provide the developer with a phased in incentive grant of $2.5 million.
Woodberry said the agreement establishes the first phase of vertical construction to be on island 7 – all commercial buildings and median improvements.
“The certificates of occupancy of any residential units are tied to them completing those tasks and phases,” she said.
There were residents who spoke against the development.
Kenneth Evans, who lives close to Old Burnt Store Road, said there is not existant infrastructure to get that many people in and out of Seven Islands.
“I am opposed to building this big thing. We don’t need it in town. We have enough stuff. It doesn’t make sense to spend the money and put more people up in that area,” he said.
Another resident also said the city does not need Seven Islands as there are for rent and for sale signs all over Cape Coral. She said she does not know how the developer is going to put 950 new units in the city when existing owners cannot rent out or sell places that are already built in Cape Coral.
After public input, Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra said the Seven Islands project has been going on for a very long time and this developer is very engaged with the city.
“I have never seen a developer work hand-in-hand with a neighborhood association the way they have. They have been in lock-step communication throughout this process,” she said.
Developer Sam Bower said they have engaged with the residents since day one.
“We conducted traffic studies. We looked at how people will arrive and structured the community, so it is golf cart and pedestrian friendly. Our goal is to reduce the traffic, not increase it,” he said.
Bower also addressed the market, stating that by the time they are ready to enter it, the market will have gone through its cycle and be a strong again.
“We appear to be on the soft side, but not a total bust,” Nelson-Lastra said of the real estate market. “This isn’t going to happen overnight.”
Councilmember Bill Steinke addressed the concerns about infrastructure and roads, which were addressed in section seven of the development agreement – Old Burnt Store Road improvements.
He also touched upon the water access of the property, as he thinks there will be an attraction for boaters and 10 slips available to the public may not be enough.
Bower said in addition to the 10 earmarked, there will also be a full fueling marina anding on the interior side of the islands, they are in the permit process for shore parallel parking.
The final public hearing will be held on Jan. 21.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com