News from the President

Jerry Smith, President

Presidents Updates for August 2023

The heat index this summer in many areas of Cape Coral has been unprecedented.     As a matter of fact, I had the opportunity to go offshore into the Gulf of Mexico to find 92-degree surface water temperatures 27 miles due west, from Boca Grande Pass.     Heading back home, my Garmin navigation system displayed a 102-water temperature in Matlacha Pass heading south toward the bridge, last week.

Excessive heat can slow your pace or take your will to get things done.    NOT the case here with our loyal group of volunteers serving the NWNA.

Since our May 2023 General Open Meeting featuring Interim City Manager, Mike Ilczyszyn, much has been accomplished.    This President's Update will be quite extensive, so get comfortable here at home or at your summer residence abroad.

Michael Ilczyszyn, Interim City Manager

In June, we met with Mike Ilczyszyn at City Hall to pursue permitting from Florida DEP to grant signage installation and maintenance work in "The Key Ditch".   This initial phase of work is required to establish a marked canal access pathway from Crystal Lake to the Two Pines channel in Charlotte Harbor.   This project will extend the Calusa Blueway Kayak trail to Crystal Lake Park, a boat, and kayak launch, which is in the bidding process.   To complete this work, additional permitting for the pruning of hurricane-damaged mangrove branches overhanging into The Key Ditch impacting egress will need to be addressed to create unobstructed access.

On August 7^th, Mike and I visited with the Interim Manager of Charlotte Harbor, Nicky Ross from Florida DEP to discuss the signage permitting and work in The Key Ditch.    The office visit ended with a site visit tour of Crystal Lake, NWNA proposed "Trappers Trail" which connects Crystal Lake's northern walkway with the City of Cape Coral's property on the shore of Charlotte Harbor.  The tour ended at the entry to The Key Ditch on the Spreader Canal just south of Jacaranda Parkway at the end of NW 31^st Street.    Permit Applications are to be filed with FLDEP.

NWNA has received funding and permission to remove rocks in The Key Ditch to prevent damage to shallow draft boats.    The donation and funding were made possible by Ed Stafford, the developer of proposed community North Cape Estates on the spreader canal between NW 42^nd Place and NW 41^st Ave off Gulfstream Parkway.     The contractor A-1 Seawalls and Docks provided a very budget conscious bid to provide the work.     THANK YOU, ED STAFFORD, AND A-1 SEAWALLS for supporting NWNA and our members.    This work will be scheduled in a few weeks.    NWNA Waterways Chairman, John Bashaw was responsible for the fundraising, securing the contractor and provided the vision for "The Trappers Trail".   

Permits for Crystal Lake Park development have been received and all work is out to BID.    Please review the site plan at Crystal Lake on the Cape Coral City website for the most recent renderings.   Please focus on the boat ramp and launch egress into the spreader canal system.    This will be an area of public use to include restrooms and facilities.   If you have visited or utilized the Burnt Store Boat Ramp just south of Embers Parkway off Burnt Store Road (almost 6 miles to the south) , you will undoubtedly realize this existing boat ramp can be a busy place at times.     Having additional access to the spreader at Crystal Lake Park on Caloosa Parkway will fill a void for those who wish to enjoy boating or kayaking in our quiet waters of the northern Lee County boarder spreader waterway.     This new remote access offers wonderful recreation opportunities.

Kith Long, District 6

On July 11^th, our District Council Member- Keith Long addressed our members and neighbors at the NWNA General Membership meeting held at the Kiwanis Club facility on Santa Barbara Blvd.     The "Town Hall" style meeting provided all attendees the opportunity to engage in a one-on-one dialogue.   Burnt Store Road corridor commercial zoning and Pine Island Road development dominated the subject matter.     Standing in front of a crowd and handling rapid-fire questions and comments without a moderator for 60 solid minutes can be grueling.   Those of you reading this who attended, know I tried to step in and give Keith a break.   He was just fine relentlessly moving forward to handle everyone's comments and questions.  We are lucky to have Keith on our side representing the residents in the NW Cape.   We have been represented well and the leadership of NWNA and Keith remain in close contact on the issues.     Mayor Gunter attended our meeting to spend time listening to the concerns raised by attendees.   We appreciated his support and for attending.

Watch the July 11th meeting Video - Click Here

Cape Coral Police Department was represented.  Members of the newly formed "Cape Coral Community Policing Unit" attended and educated attendees of this new initiative established by the department

I was asked to speak at the August 10^th, Southwest Cape Coral Action Committee (SWCCAC)-General Members Meeting at The Omelet Shop in Cape Coral.   Steve Collins, President of SWCCAC introduced me to the membership and my presentation was geared toward seeking residents to show up at City Council Meetings to support or oppose important issues. Consider volunteering or being part of a committee.   Don't Be a Wasn't- quoting Dr. Suess.     I made it clear that the NWNA is open to exploring synergistic collaboration with the SWCCAC.   The NWNA is forging new relationships with Interim City Manager, Mike Ilczyszyn and Florida DEP.   Together we can work toward the protection and preservation of the estuary and find responsible ways to expand the recreational use of our waterways.

Don Apking, President of Friends of Cape Coral Environment, Non-Profit 501 (c) 3 announced with Council Member- District 2, Dan Sheppard of a planned partnership to reduce the costs of Median Beautification.   "A million dollars per mile" cost index was shared, to accommodate the costs associated with development, irrigation, and installation of plant material of medians.    Plans are in the works to significantly reduce this burden.    Toward this end, we learned through Dan Shepard the city has invested in curb machines to cut costs with the reliance of outside contractors.    DPW will be trained and utilize the new equipment.

Council Member, Dan Sheppard shared an interesting point that really resonated with me.    Dan mentioned the importance and impact of any effort to increase the value of residential homes in our city.    Many of our residents and members in NW Cape have voiced displeasure of the abundance of dollar store and storage unit development.  I have been a vocal opponent.    The increase of the median price of homes in a community greatly impacts marketing demographics.    Reaching a certain plateau on the median price index scale deters future development of these types of applications.   There is also data supporting the closures of existing stores.   Important factors for us to consider.   SMART Development in the NW Pine Island Corridor and along Burnt Store Road North is paramount.

Dan Sheppard, District 2

Many good things have come from our May 2023 General Membership Meeting with Mike Ilczyszyn.   The working relationship with the Florida DEP is promising, as I mentioned in the past paragraphs.    We also requested NWNA representation at the 7 Islands Development Meetings held each month with Forest Development and the Economic Development City Staff of Cape Coral.    After securing permission from the developer, we were invited to these important meetings.   Development Review Committee Chairman, John Smart and I attended our first meeting in August 2023.

I believe we were well received.  Our goal is to offer guidance and collaboration on a true local level to help produce the greatest waterfront community in all of SW Florida.    A special destination offering access to marine life, estuary life and offering a Florida lifestyle, until now, found only in a dream.

Keep in mind that the 7 Islands property has not officially closed yet.   A significant investment in engineering studies on land and in the waterways has been realized.  The takeaway from our first meeting is the developer has demonstrated a commitment to attention to detail.    The architect is very engaged and seems to bring the project to life as he shares his vision.    John Smart and I will share information as it becomes available from the developer and this city.

In early November, NWNA is planning an evening indoor/ outdoor social gathering at an area restaurant.   On our invitation list to engage with NWNA Members and neighbors of our community will include-

• Developers Defining NW Cape
• Business Leaders
• Elected City Officials
• Elected County Officials
• Advocacy and Civic Groups

I look forward to seeing you at our next General Membership Meeting this fall.     Stay cool and stay connected.

Kind Regards, Jerry

President of the NWNA, Jerry Smith sends his Greetings!

NWNA Members,

Greetings and Happy New Year!

The first 2023 NWNA board of directors meeting was held on January 3^rd. The newly elected officers joined the existing treasurer and committee chairpersons to conduct business as usual, assist with the transition and establish contact communications.

Reporting on focus projects and new development applications in our community will keep our volunteer group very busy. Content published by the NWNA is the number one trusted source of information pertaining to development in and around Northwest Cape Coral, according to Google and local news networks. We could certainly use more volunteer assistance from a writer or journalist to help regularly publish content and information to our members. Please contact me directly at president@nwcape.com if you would like to assist.

The push forward to transform Seven Islands into a 'Gulf Gateway' is underway.  This project weighs heavily on the collective minds of our community.  Specific updates on this anchor project will be communicated thru our website https://www.nwcape.com, our NWNA Member App, or our Facebook Page.

Towards this end, the NWNA is currently working to secure a venue for a General Membership Meeting in early March 2023.   The announcement of the date and time will be forthcoming.  Please join us to meet newly elected officers and to listen and contribute to ongoing projects and neighborhood initiatives.  Our membership is over 1850 strong and continues to grow and a new meeting facility will be needed to accommodate our members.

One of the ways we are expanding our reach is by attending neighboring civic organizations' meetings.  The Pine Island, Matlasha, St. James, and Mulltet Runners Greater Pine Island Alliance Civic Association meet weekly.  During a recent meeting, we obtained concept drawings of the Matlacha waterfront district which we will share at the UPCOMING general membership meeting.  Renderings give us all hope of what could be.  While most of our membership in Northwest Cape Coral sustained significant wind damage, residences of Pine Island, St. James City, and Matlacha were impacted by catastrophic flooding.

In a meeting with the Lee County commissioner and FEMA, we learned about the ongoing critical need to place impacted residents in temporary housing and travel trailers.  Companies charitable organizations, churches, and volunteers are donating time, labor, and building materials.  Additionally, Ian has gained national attention, and deployments of carpenters and volunteers on a long-term basis are coming to help rebuild replacement homes.  These volunteers need temporary housing.  We have an army of neighbors boarding this area, wouldn't it be wonderful to help?

These neighborhood communities are coming together to plan and rebuild waterfront dining, retail shops, art galleries, and recreational water activities that we ALL lost.  NWNA members were a huge part of driving the economy in this area.  We embraced it, it was a part of us.  Please visit nwcape.com and click on the Calander of Upcoming events for dates and times of fundraising and volunteering events in our neighboring communities.

I look forward to meeting you and learning more about your passion for the community, so we can advocate with a collective voice.

Kind Regards,

Jerry Smith
President of the NWNA

President's Message - Bulk Waste Drop Off

NWNA Members: We will be hosting several Clean-the-Cape events in Northwest Cape Coral in 2022. Sponsors are lining up and many of you have reached out to ask when the events will be held. The news will follow on those events shortly from Patricia White, our Environment Committee Chair. You will also hear about Adopt-a-Spot, another 2022 initiative that will bring us together as a community and move us toward our goal of making Cape Coral the cleanest city in Southwest Florida.  We have many new residents and I thought a friendly reminder on the rules of the road for trash collection would be helpful. The City of Cape Coral has done a great job of putting all the information together for us. Please see the attached email from Melissa Mickey, in the Office of Communications. Everything we need to know is contained in the message.  There are several factors that contribute to the waste we all see strewn in vacant lots and on the side of the road. Please understand it is a complex issue and we are trying to address all of the factors, but the easiest one to tackle is how we put out the trash for pick up. Thank you to all of you who have participated in our Clean-the-Cape events and to the many residents I see picking up trash while you walk. It is making a difference.  John Bashaw (920) 449-2000

Good afternoon John,

Per our conversation earlier this week I am sending you some links to information regarding trash, yard waste, recycling do's, and don'ts. 

The following is a link to our webpage which includes FAQs that may be helpful/useful, See below.

All Residential curbside services start at 6:00 AM, all items for collection should be placed curbside by 6:00 AM to avoid missing any of the collection vehicles. 

City ordinance dictates that items for collection cannot be placed curbside until after 5:00 p.m. one day prior to your collection day.

Extra garbage that does not fit in the brown garbage can be placed out for collection in plastic bags set next to the can. Each bag cannot weigh more than fifty (50) pounds and be stacked neatly at the curb.

Remember to keep a three (3) foot clearance between and around each can for collection and that the wheels and handle are to face the house. Please remember to also keep at least a five (5) foot clearance from mailboxes, trees, parked cars, etc.

Webpage Link Including FAQ's

The follow the link below to our webpage on solid waste, recyclables, horticulture, and bulk trash removal  - if you scroll through this page there is a lot of information and several videos created by Waste Pro on how to properly dispose of trash, the holiday schedules are listed, and there is additional helpful information.

Also, just FYI this year we have a post-Christmas holiday recycling event. It is at the Bulk Waste Drop Off located at the North Cape Government Complex on Kismet. The entrance to the Bulk Waste Drop Off is on NW 14^th Ave. 

The event runs from December 26 through the 30^th from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and is for recyclable cardboard only.  

Cape Coral Webpage on Solid WasteBulk Waste Drop Off site on NW 14th Ave.