Clean the Cape Event Pictures

On April 24, 2021, the NWNA hosted the 'Clean the Cape' event in partnership with the City of Cape Coral, Waste Pro, and the 'Keep Lee County Clean Organization'.

As you can see by the pictures below, it was a tremendous success.  Volunteers came from all over to pitch in, any way they could to help make our city beautiful again!

The NWNA Board of Directors would like to thank each person that made a contribution of their time, personal effort, support, and that helped us to organize this important event.

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Irrigation Ordinance Summary - Cape Coral 2021

Here is the summary, written by our own Public Works Chairman, Don Freeman.  He explains the ordinance in detail and gives us answers to some questions we may have had.

On April 17^th the City held a Town Hall meeting to present the initial recommendations of a proposed Irrigation Ordinance. 

The meeting was held by City Council Member Tom Hayden and Utilities Director Jeff Pearson. The following is a brief summary of that meeting.

The city operates a reclaimed water system throughout the city where public utilities exist. Reclaimed water is treated and disinfected effluent from the City's wastewater treatment plants (or Water Reclamation Plants). The reclaimed water system is connected to both residential and commercial irrigation systems throughout the city.

Currently, the reclaimed water demand is significantly higher than that available for several months during the dry season. To address this deficit, the city supplements the reclaimed water system with fresh canal water.

This approach has its own disadvantages as it lowers canal levels and the groundwater table in areas. In the future, the system will be supplemented by 6 million gallons per day of reclaimed water from Fort Myers once the pipeline across the Callahoosahatchee River is constructed. Still, reclaimed water demand is expected to outpace supply.

Conservation is one way to partially address this deficit. An Irrigation Ordinance has been proposed because it is estimated that 50% of irrigation water is wasted through evaporation, wind transport, and runoff. This ordinance is only in the draft stage and not expected to be enacted until at least 2022.

First, the ordinance would only impact new or significantly expanded irrigation systems. Existing irrigation systems will not be impacted. The ordinance would require that the new irrigation system be designed and installed with conservation in mind. New features would include separate zones for grass and planting beds (since planting beds require much less water), and mandatory rain sensors, wind sensors, and soil sensors which would only allow the system to operate when needed.

The new irrigation systems would require a permit from the city and inspection once the installation is complete. These so-called "Smart Systems" would then be exempt from the 2-day per week watering limitation.

Again, existing systems would not be subject to this new ordinance. However, if a homeowner wanted to upgrade their system to a "Smart System" they too would be exempt from the 2-day per week watering limitation. Existing irrigation systems that are not upgraded will still be required to comply with the 2-day per week limitation.

While it is not expected that this ordinance will solve the supply deficit, it is one way to help reduce it. This ordinance will be vetted by the city over the next 6 months or so and further details will be forthcoming.

WastePro Action Plan Update

Waste Pro Update from City Council Meeting Explained by NWNA President, John Bashaw. Listen to the final results.

New Federal Boating Law Starts April 1, 2021

Engine Cut Off Switch Requirements

A new federal law requiring the use of Engine Cut Off Switches for some boats built in January 2020 or later goes into effect April 1, 2021. It applies to some boats less than 26 feet operating at plane or above displacement speed. Some boats are excluded.

Read the attached article for all of the details and check to see if your boat requires an Engine Cut Off Switch. Also, check out the US Coast Guard website in the article's link for more information.

Please make sure to read the entire BoatUS article and the US Coast Guard FAQs in the Bulletin Link. It's the safest way to ensure compliance and avoid a citation. Bottom line - if you have an Engine Cut-Off Switch on your boat, use it!

New Boating Law Requirements

Cape Coral's Economic Development Vision 2021

"Capeable Lifestyle" introduced to City Council

"Capeable Lifestyle" was unveiled as a new ad campaign by the City's Economic Development Office at March 26, 2021, Committee of the Whole meeting.

In conjunction with the tagline "Cape Coral…flowing with opportunity," the campaign is designed to bring more visibility to Cape Coral to attract new, relocating, and expanding businesses.

You may likely see these phrases being used by local businesses soon throughout the city.

'Capeable Lifestyle'"Capeable Lifestyle"

"Flowing with opportunity" is open-ended enough for businesses to think of the opportunities in the area but also plays off the water access Cape Coral is known for.

The first ad will appear in the Urban Land Institute magazine, with a readership of 45,000 and an online presence that reaches 500 thousand annually. An E-Newsletter banner sent out March 22nd, with a link to the Cape's EDO already doubled site visitors.

The city is working with the Urban Land Institute in short and long-term strategic planning for Cape Coral. Creating an identity is one of the main short-term goals and there is much more to do in that regard.

But for now, Council Members seemed pleased with this initial step.

There's been a lot of questions about the Myriad Luxury RV Park at Durden Parkway and Burnt Store Rd., including some of the properties north of the site.

The Myriad development has been on hold for about a year, but things have been going on behind the scenes. The site was sold to MHC Development, LLC, of Chicago in October. MHC operates several mobile home and RV sites throughout Florida.

A new site plan was submitted to the city on March 26, 2021, so it appears that work will resume and we'll be able to see the development taking shape soon.

The new plan calls for a Phase I consisting of 144 lots along Durden Parkway and down Burnt Store Rd. to about the midpoint of the property. Included in the plans are amenities like tennis and pickleball courts, a pool, and a clubhouse. There will also be a welcome center.

Lots in the initial plan in 2018 were 57 feet wide but included cabins on the lot. Current plans call for a 37-foot width per lot with no cabins. The remainder of the property will be developed at a later date.

Myriad Sign on Site of the ProjectMyraid Site Aerial View

As for recently rezoned properties on Burnt Store Rd. north of the RV Park, on-line rumors discussed a potential Publix on one parcel and a restaurant and office complex on another.

However, any business needs a large customer base nearby and, even with Burnt Store Marina close, it may take a successful RV Park and additional residential development in the NW Cape to warrant that kind of investment north of Durden Parkway.

In fact, one of those recently rezoned properties (the one on the north side of Durden Parkway across from the RV Park) is currently up for sale.

Youth Council Boardwalk Approval

President of the NWNA, John Bashaw, updates the members with good news about the proposal presented to the Cape Coral Youth Council for a Nature Walk from Crystal Lake Park to Charlotte Harbor.

Phase 3 of Burnt Store Widening Project Aerial View

This is an aerial view of what the Southernmost section of the Burnt Store Widening Project will look like after it has been completed. Linda Stevens, the Secretary of the NWNA, explains what we will see as we travel on the new road.

NWNA President Explains Zoning Change.

John Bashaw explains why the city changed the zoning designation on a property in the commercial corridor of SW Pine Island Rd and Burnt Store Rd.  The property was recently changed from Single-Family Residential to Commercial Corridor zoning.

NWNA President talks about zoning in NW Cape

John Bashaw talks about Zoning with Residents

New Cape Coral Development Projects - March 2021 Edition

Here We Grow Again - March 2021 Edition

Cape Coral is reaching out to an outside entity for an experienced big picture view of what the city can become as it builds out. At the 10:00 am March 10th Committee of the Whole meeting, the nationally and internationally recognized Urban Land Institute will present to City Council the process by which they can assist the city in forming a vision for economic development in the Cape now and over the next 50 years.

ULI has assisted over 700 communities in urban development, land use, strategic planning, and image enhancement. You can catch the presentation on the city website under "Agenda" or on YouTube after the fact. There's no doubt you will find there's much to consider for Cape Coral.

As for current development in our area, we had reported a while back that there was a plan for a Raceway gas/convenience store with fast-food and retail on the northeast corner of Chiquita and Pine Island Rd., however, there's now a new owner of the land.

That owner is ABC Liquors Inc. of Orlando and they are planning a 12,000 sq foot liquor store for that property with the addition of two 1,275 units which would be for a drive-thru restaurant and retail store, with tenants to be determined. It's good to have choices and with ABC Fine Wines and Spirits in our neighborhood, that may be worth toasting!

ABC Liquors

Two fast-food restaurants are on the horizon for the area around Home Depot on Skyline.  Plans are out for a Wendy's on the lot next to Dairy Queen. Directly across the street will be a Culvers in front of Home Depot.

There are still plans for a gas/convenience store and fast-food restaurants at the other vacant corners of that intersection but they are tentative. Don't forget that on the east side of Aldi, there will be a Joe V's Farmers Market which may be breaking ground this summer.

Further west on Pine Island Rd., Coastal Building Supply is building a Decks and Docks store in front of their current operation which will enhance the shopping experience at that location.

Decks & Docks StoreBurnt Store Rd 300

Burnt Store 300: The city's Economic Development website is promoting Med Tech, Supply Chain, and Light Industrial Developments in our area to diversify businesses and create good-paying jobs. The Cape's existing industrial parks on Andalusia and Viscaya, are nearly built out with no new space to accommodate new industry. The city is promoting the following areas:

*Burnt Store Road above Kismet, the City owns a 300-acre site that lacks public infrastructure but features good access to Interstate 75.

Hideaway Storage is moving forward with a site plan for a Burnt Store location just south of the Tropicana 7/11. The public storage facility will encompass 78,869 square feet with 6 buildings.

Hideaway Storage

*Pine Island Road west of Chiquita Blvd. has three privately-owned undeveloped sites, one representing 120 acres and two other sites located across the roadway (this includes the once proposed Walmart site).

And if you haven't heard, zoning has been approved in Charlotte County for a tiny home development on Burnt Store Rd.
It's south of Punta Gorda and not in Cape Coral, but since tiny homes have been an on-again, off-again topic in Cape Coral, you might want to take a look at what this type of development could look like.
You can do that by going to the developer's website at Simple-life.com or check out the Wink News link below.Tiny HomeTiny Home Interior example

This Charlotte County development would cap at 230 homes and is geared towards seniors and singles. The homes are as small as 400 square feet, with only 1-2 bedrooms.   Prices start at $130,000 but can go up to $180,00 depending on size and amenities. Owners must lease the land and pay a lifestyle fee.

John Bashaw talks about a possible nature boardwalk starting at Crystal Lake Park going out to Charlotte Harbor.

NWNA President introduces Cape Coral - Catch the Vision Feb 2021

Seven Islands Clean-up Event - Presidents Recap & Upcoming Members Meeting.

John Bashaw, President of the NWNA (Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association) review details from the 7 Island Cleanup Initiative and talks about how the City of Cape Coral will be involved at the next NWNA Member Meeting.

Burnt Store Rd PD&E Study Update - Feb 2021

Dear Members,

We would like to share this update from Commissioner Brian Hamman's office regarding the section of Burnt Store Road, north of Van Buren Parkway to the Charlotte County line.

Dear NWNA,

Currently, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is getting started on a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study along Burnt Store Road from Van Buren Parkway to the Charlotte County line. These studies are conducted to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. During the study, FDOT determines the location and conceptual design of feasible build alternatives for roadway improvements and their social, economic, and environmental effects. A PD&E study is finalized when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), reviews the documentation and recommendations then provides a Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA).

A PD&E Study is required even if federal funds are not used. The Study would need to meet state requirements that are similar to the federal requirements in analyzing the effects of the proposed improvements. For additional information regarding the PD&E Study, you may want to contact the FDOT District 1 Office at (239) 225-1900. I hope this information is helpful and if you need anything else, please do not hesitate to contact Commissioner Hamman.

Thank you,
Matt Spielman
Executive Assistant
Commissioner Brian Hamman
Office: (239) 533-2226
Mobile: (239) 826-9865

Cape Coral Economic Action Plan - 2021

Take a look at what is coming to Cape Coral in 2021 and the direction the city will be taking as we continue to grow.

This report provides a summary of the City's Economic Development Activities for the 4th Quarter of 2020. It includes a mix of permit and construction activities, revenues generated from such activities, and trends with respect to unemployment, etc.

Overall, the Cape is doing quite well despite the pandemic and unemployment rates are trending downward. More people are moving here from elsewhere across the country and more developers from the Northeast and Midwest are investing here.

Cape Coral Economic Action Plan Presentation

D & D Boat Ramp Designs

NWNA Members:

At the Council Meeting on February 10, 2021, the Plans for the D&D Boat Ramp Property were presented. Three options were discussed, and the one with the restaurant appears to be the most likely, assuming parking issues can be addressed.

The need for a fuel dock was brought forward as well. The presentation is included in the link below. City Staff and AECOM have done a great job designing a destination that will be a great benefit for our neighborhood.

John Bashaw
(920) 449-2000Plans for the D&D Boat Ramp Property

Waste Pro Changes Some Service Days

Waste Pro Changes Some Service Days. Are they changing yours? Check the map and see if you live in the area that will change.

Posted by NWNA on Tuesday, February 9, 2021

NWNA's Relationship with the City of Cape Coral, FL

John Bashaw, President of the NWNA (Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association) provides an update on how the relationship between the organization and the City of Cape Coral has improved.

Seven Islands Cape Coral - Property Update

Watch as we give an update on the Seven Islands Property in Cape Coral, FL

Overview & Update: John Bashaw, President of the NWNA (Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association) provides an overview on the 7 Islands property and an update on its development.

Introduction to the NWNA

Watch as Jerry Smith, the president of the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, INC., gives an introduction to the organization and explains our mission within the community.