Commission recommends text changes to 7 Islands subdistrict, removing nonresidential cap and updating development standards

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, 5-0, of Ordinance 46-25 on Aug. 6, a city‑initiated future land use text amendment to the 7 Islands subdistrict that the city says updates development standards to align with current development practice and a developer’s proposed plan.

Chad Boyko, principal planner, told the commission the 7 Islands sit north of Pine Island Road and west of Burnt Store Road and were the subject of a master visioning plan prepared about eight or nine years ago. Boyko said the city currently has a contract with a developer and that the proposed text changes would allow the developer’s plan to be implemented.

Boyko described four main changes: removing the numerical cap on nonresidential square footage (previously 110,000 square feet) and replacing it with a maximum FAR of 1; eliminating references to Planned Development Projects (PDPs) because the city now uses Planned Unit Developments (PUDs); changing a required mixed‑use building standard to a required mixture of residential and nonresidential uses; and removing a legal description from the subdistrict language for consistency with other comprehensive plan subdistricts.

Commissioner Santore asked about the Cape Coral Rowing Club, which Boyko said is expected to operate from nearby Tropicana Park once development occurs. Boyko told commissioners environmental permitting and developer agreements remain to be finalized; he estimated city‑developer agreement completion by the end of the year and a one‑to‑one‑and‑a‑half year timeframe for development to begin after that, subject to permitting.

Severson moved to recommend approval and Martin seconded. The roll call recorded Apking, Martin, Senator, Severson and Lemieux voting aye; the motion carried 5-0.

The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action; Boyko said the changes are intended to provide flexibility and align the subdistrict’s language with current planning and zoning practice.