STATE OF THE

NEIGHBORHOOD 'Our Welfare and Future'

March 17, 2016

Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association,

Inc.

Formed in 2004 to

• Advocate for sensible public policies and development activities.

• Strive to improve our property values & enhance our quality

of life

Agenda

• NWNA News and Updates – Denis Catalano

• Dredging - John Karcher

• Bike Lanes - John Karcher

• NW Spreader Ceitus Barrier - John Karcher

• Road Paving - John Bashaw

• Burnt Store Road Widening - John Bashaw

• Modular Homes - John Bashaw

• LCEC / City Issue - Ken Weiss

• UEP & Buried Utilities - John Smart

• Seven Islands - John Smart

• Resort at Tranquility Lake - Doug Kidd

• New Shoreline / Marine Initiatives - Doug Kidd

• Questions

NWNA News & Updates

• Financial Report = $10,386.69

• Number of Members = 942

• Committee Volunteers = 51

• Board Members =17

• Communication Updates:

68 Bulletins & 4 Newsletters during 2015

19 Bulletins to date 2016

NWNA Participation with external groups

• Public Safety Advisory Committee

- Denis Catalano

• Cape Coral City Parks Steering

Committee – Sharolyn Hunter

• Residential Design Standard

Committee – Doug Kidd

• Pedestrian and Bicycle lanes

Advisory Committee – John Karcher

NEWS from surrounding Neighborhoods

• At Surfside – Trader Joes Grocery

store & an expanded Starbucks

• In Sam’s Club parking lot – A Bank, an

Urgent Care, & a Buffalo Wild Wings

• Tarpon Point Convention Center

construction starting this summer

• ~450 residential building permits pulled

this year in Cape Coral.

Dredging

Bike Lanes

NW Spreader Ceitus Barrier

Presented by: John Karcher

Dredging

• Our objective:

Keep our Northwest waterways

open to navigation.

The NWNA has been instrumental in

making this a reality.

Dredging - The NW Spreader has been

dredged from Rosemary Bridge south

• The spoils piles have been removed, and the

grounds in the north part of the Sirenia Vista park

area have been graded.

Gator Slough looking North from OBSR.

The Dredging is done. The spoils piles are in the

process of being removed.

In unit 60, Gator Dredging was working the AJO

canal on the southern side of NW 11th Terrace,

moving towards the east side of NW 42 Pl, clearing

the channel into Wazee Lake and the spreader.

This dredging is now complete.

Bike Lanes

The Florida Board of Tourism reports the

number one question asked is:

What Cities in Florida are Bike friendly?

Our Immediate Goal …

Mirror the existing bike lanes that are in place from Tropicana to Gulf Stream.

Adding the same from Gulf Stream north on OBSR to Kismet.

A NWNA Plan has been submitted to the City and is being reviewed.

Old Burnt Store RD is on the plan in 2016 to be paved.

Paving will be done from Yucatan, North to Kismet a

Perfect time to act on adding bike lanes!

OBSR from Tropicana N. to Yucatan ,will be

paved when the UEP 2 has been completed.

Cape Coral Kick Off Meeting

• On 2-24, I attended the Kick Off meeting of the Cape Coral

Advisory Committee, beginning the development of the Master Plan for Pedestrian and Bicycle lanes.

• Attending were members from:

Florida Department of Transportation

Lee County Department of Transportation

Lee County Health Department

Cape Coral Police Department

Cape Coral Staff Department heads for, paving, bike lanes and parks

3 members of the Cape Coral Bike Ped Organization

7 consultants who work with cities around Florida on these projects

The NWNA now has a seat on this committee

On April 20th there will be a meeting to include

the public’s input in the planning.

NW Spreader Ceitus Barrier

• March 17, 1977. Cape Coral developer Gulf American Land

Corporation’s (GAC) bankruptcy was finalized. (The builders

of Cape Coral i.e. the Rosen brothers)

• A provision of the bankruptcy was:

Consent Order No. 15 between the State of Florida

Department of Environmental Regulation, and GAC to

provide for the construction of a freshwater retention

system consisting of a "perimeter spreader waterway" to

serve as a storm water "distribution system for intercepting

and releasing discharges of water" into Matlacha pass.

Therefore, a boatlift had to be installed to navigate

the system.

Ceitus barrier/Boat lift - a bit of history…

Cape Coral’s North Spreader Waterway Boat Lift

The barrier was completed in 1984.

• The lift was blown out by a breach to the west.

• The Ceitus structure was then removed in July 2008.

North Spreader Canal Ecosystem Management

Agreement Process

• Twenty Stakeholders were accredited to the North

Spreader EMA. The Stakeholder Group meetings

beginning in July 2008 through May 2010.

• Simply put 12 members of the stakeholders group, did

not agree to the, NET ECOSYSTEM BENEFIT that the

city agreed to do and insisted on putting the barrier

back in.

• Today it is still in the courts. Most recently a closed

door, non-binding arbitration session took place, that

failed to produce a settlement on Jan 20th 2016.

• NWNA & the City are in agreement that the barrier

should NOT be replaced.

Road Paving

Burnt Store Widening

Modular Homes

Presented by: John Bashaw

Road Paving

• What is the Issue?

– Thirty miles of roads in NW Cape Coral were in

need of paving/resurfacing. But thanks to NWNA’s

attention to this issue, 11 miles have been paved

last year. 19 miles to Go!

Road Paving (Continued)

• What is the NWNA Doing on the Issue?

– Transportation Advisory Commission Meeting

– Met with city staff to lobby for completion of “our” 30 miles of

resurfacing

– Worked with city staff to finalize the Local and Major road

resurfacing plans

• What Results Do We Expect and When?

– NWNA will continue to work with the city until completion.

– Schedule and Map can be found at:

– www.capecoral.net/

5_Year_Local_Road_Resurfacing_Plan_1_15_15.pdf

Burnt Store Road Widening

What is the Issue?

North phase of the widening is underway

Three phases in the project

Future phase, the four lane roads will become a

Super Street

What are the Members’ Concerns?

Berms are not included in the design to

attenuate noise

Right-of-Way is too close to residences

Burnt Store Road Widening (Continued)

Construction

North phase runs from

Diplomat to Van Buren

with a Northern

transition to Kismet

and a Southern

Transition to NW 9th

Terrace.

Burnt Store Road Widening (continued)

• Future Phases

– Central segment from Tropicana Pkwy

to Diplomat Pkwy, 16/17 - $4.8 million

construction estimate

• 50% TRIP Grant

– South segment from Pine Island Road

to Tropicana Pkwy, 18/19 - $8.7 million

construction estimate

Burnt Store Widening (Continued)

What does the four lane design look like?

Burnt Store Widening (Continued)

What is the NWNA Doing on the Issue? Right-of-Way Committee participation

NWNA has been vocal on the issue for over 10 years

City Manager has requested a berm cost analysis

What Results Do We Expect and When? Will be the “watchdog”

Your voice at city hall and in planning meetings

Additional information is available on-line •http://www.burntstorewidening.com

Modular Homes

• What is the Issue?

– Modular Homes are being built by Gold Key

Homes of America in Cape Coral.

– Residents have voiced their concerns about the

homes.

• What are the Members’ Concerns?

– Property values may be impacted.

– Do these homes meet code?

– Not what we expected in Cape Coral!

Modular Homes (Continued)

• What is the NWNA doing on the Issue?

– Voice of the members at City Hall

– Builder has agreed to improve the appearance

and design

– City has Formed a Residential Architectural

Standards Stakeholder Committee

• Committee of citizen/professionals to advise city staff,

Mayor and Council

• May lead to Cape Coral residential design standards

Modular Homes (Continued)

• What Results Do We Expect and When?

– Residential Architectural Standards Committee

Kickoff Meeting was on March 15.

• Doug Kidd (NWNA Member is on the Committee)

– Builder has committed to making changes on most

new homes built.

– Focus continues that we do not think this style

home is acceptable in Cape Coral.

– We are in direct contact with the city staff.

LCEC/City Issues

Presented by: Ken Weiss

LCEC/City

Your Electric Bill and Comparison of a

Rural Electric Cooperative vs Municipal Electric

Utility

• Electric Charges on a sliding scale based on KWh

used, AND;

• Presently, you pay the City of Cape Coral 7%

“Public Service Tax” (PST), and a City of Cape

Coral 3% “Franchise Fee” along with a State

“Gross Receipts Tax”.

LCEC and You

• LCEC is a Not for Profit Rural Electric Cooperative,

owned by its members/customers.

• Margins are put back into the infrastructure and

allocated to its members.

• Conversely, A Municipal Electric Utility is owned and

governed by the Municipality (Cape Coral City

Council).

• The Citizens fund this municipality.

Expiration of the Current LCEC Franchise:

(What is on the table.)

OFFICIALLY:

“The City is looking at it’s options and doing its due diligence”

in deciding how to address the expiration of the current LCEC

franchise.

CITY NEGOTIATIONS WITH LCEC: Other Items on the Agenda

– CITY Looking for NEW REVENUE ?

“There is no free lunch.” – An increase in the “franchise fee”

(eyed by city officials) will be passed on to YOU and added to

your electric bill. (Basically a disguised tax increase.) Same

with other proposals by city officials such as a City directed

“Capital Improvement Fund” for solar, green energy, or hugely

expensive underground electric transmission lines.

LCEC/City (Continued)

LCEC is Presently owned by the

Customers it serves YOU

LCEC/City (Continued)

• Changing to a Municipal (City) owned

electric utility is a potentially costly

endeavor with many unknowns:

Rates

Operating Costs

Liability

Risk from Major Storms

LCEC/City (Continued)

• The whole decision making process

to date (Review of the LCEC

Franchise) has been conducted

behind closed doors.

• NWNA will continue to follow this

issue

UEP

Buried Utilities

Seven Islands

Presented by: John Smart

North 2 UEP NWNA Areas

North 2 UEP Timeline for 2016

• April/May: Contractor prequalification

• June/July: Bidding

• August: Initial assessment resolution

• September: Final assessment resolution

• September: Approve construction contracts

• September: Start construction

• Construction Time: 18 months

North 2 UEP

• Road reconstruction and pavement.

• Old Burnt Store Road gets two lane widening

with bike lanes.

• No vibratory equipment being used.

• Those on Matlacha water will be switched

over to Cape Coral. Will not have to pay

water assessment, but will pay waste and

irrigation assessments.

North 2 UEP Approximate Costs

• Plumber’s connection: $1200-1500

• Septic Abandonment Permit: $75

• Water meter purchase/install: $310

• Utility Account Deposit: $100

$1,685 to $1,985 for hookup costs

• SW 6 & 7 Assessment: $16,752

Matlacha water users save approximately

$3,000.

Future UEP in NWNA Areas

Tentative Schedule

North 3: 2019-2021

North 5: 2023-2025

North 7: 2027-2029

Buried Utilities – City Gauging Interest

• City exploring possibilities, benefits and acceptance.

• North 2 UEP area west of Burnt Store Rd.

• Bury electric, cables, add fiber optics.

• Take advantage of road opening for UEP.

• Provide LED street lighting.

• Aesthetically pleasing – raise home values.

• Protected in storms but power source still vulnerable.

Buried Utilities The “Look”

Buried Utilities Costs Per Parcel

Approx. Service connection totals

For homes with overhead service now:

$6,124 + $2,500 = $8,624

For homes with underground service now:

$6,124 + $500 = $6,624

No existing service: $6,124

Buried Utilities Next Steps

• Measure Council interest.

• Measure Property owner interests by sending notices

to home and land owners to vote whether they want

it or they do not want it.

• Must have 50% + 1 person voting in favor of buried

utilities to proceed.

• Parcel Count: Developed 767 – Undeveloped 1,140

Total parcels: 1907

Seven Islands

• The city exhibited 5 concepts at a February Town Hall.

• These concepts will be presented to the City Council at an April 6th Committee of the Whole Meeting in Council Chambers at 4:30 pm. There is a public comment period.

• At the Town Hall, some spoke out against development but the NWNA believes development is inevitable based on the city’s purchase of the land, hiring of an engineering firm and its strategic planning for economic development.

• The NWNA conducted a detailed survey of members’ opinions on development last year, well before the City of Cape Coral began its own public process.

Seven Islands

Questionnaire input - 61% of membership

Like to See • Parks 70% • Waterfront Dining 66.5% • Single Family Homes 59.8%

Not Like to See

• Fast Food 87.6%

• Multi-Family (3 stories or higher) 84.9%

• Hotel or Condo (over 3 stories) 83.5%

Top 3 Concerns

Automobile Traffic - Crime - Noise Pollution

Seven Islands

• The results were published, shared with city officials and presented to membership. Several presentations have been given to membership on the topic.

• The majority of our members have stated they don’t want high rises on the islands and this has been communicated to city officials as well as reflected in interaction with TV and print media.

• The charrettes had a mix of input from residents of all areas of Cape Coral. There were two concepts that resulted from public input – Plan A and Plan B.

Seven Islands – Concept A

Seven Islands – Concept B

Seven Islands Charrettes

• The most popular concept at the charrettes was B due to its theme of low intensity development, creation of lagoons and organic flow provides public areas that maintain a connection to the surrounding environment

• Concepts C, D and E build off the themes of B but overwhelm it with expanded marinas, tall buildings and density.

• Density brings increased traffic which is a major concern of our members.

• With increased boating centered at the south end of the NW Spreader, a look at waterways and rerouting of boat traffic would have to occur to counteract negative impacts in Matlacha.

Seven Islands Charrettes

• The charrettes gives B legitimacy as a product of public input. However, building height was capped at 4 stories while height was extended to 6 at the Town Hall.

• We believe the theme of concept B takes us in the right direction but are wary of any attempts to increase building height.

• We want development on the Seven Islands to celebrate what the NW has to offer not overshadow it.

• We believe the Seven Islands is the stick by which future development in the NW Cape will be measured. We need “smart growth” that emphasizes the character that makes this area so special. We will continue to work with the city to accomplish this.

Seven Islands – Concept C

Seven Islands – Concept D

Seven Islands – Concept E

Resort at Tranquility Lake

A Vision – Shoreline & Marine

Initiatives

Presented by: Doug Kidd

Resort at Tranquility Lake

• 188 acre upscale RV resort

• 265 motor coach sites

Resort at Tranquility Lake

• NWNA has worked closely with the city & developer

• City approval Oct 5, 2015

• Final design & permitting underway

• On-site sales coming soon

• Construction start: Early 2nd half of 2016

Shoreline & Marine Initiatives

A. Tidal Creek Restoration

• 5060 Acres west of the NSC

• Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

• Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Workshop

• FGCU / Everglades Wetland Research Park Study

B. NW Cape Shoreline & Pier

• 19 Acres Owned by the City of Cape Coral

• Accessible Pathways

Tidal Creek

Restoration Area 5,060 Acres West of

North Spreader Canal

TWO

PINES

CREEKS

FISH

HOUSE

CREEKS

BIG DEAD

KEY CREEKS

BUZZARD

BAY

CREEKS

SHORELINE

AREA

SOUTH

PASS

CREEK

MID-PASS

CREEK

NORTH

PASS

CREEK

CHARLOTTE

HARBOR

CREEK

SIRENIA

VISTA

PARK PINE ISLAND

CHARLOTTE

HARBOR

Tidal Creek Restoration …Partnering with Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

North Spreader Canal Tidal Creek Restoration …. Achieving a Net Ecosystem Benefit

• Redirection of Current Tidal Flow & Upland Drainage

- More Closely Mimic Historic Distribution

• Protect Matlacha Pass

- Enhance Fisheries Habitats

- Reduce Exotic Vegetation

- Reduce Invasive Species

• Net Reduction of:

- Erosion

- Breaching

- Mangrove Destruction

CHNEP Workshop

FGCU / EWRP Study

Tidal Creek Restoration …. Our Partners

NW Cape Shoreline

… making the City’s hidden gem accessible to all

Cape Coral’s

19 Acre & 0.4 Mile

Shoreline on

Charlotte Harbor

City R/W

State

Property

State

Property

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

Old Burnt Store Rd

NW 47th Ave

Charlotte Blvd

0.6 MILE

DRY ROUTE

0.3 MILE

WET ROUTE

0.8 MILE

BEACH

WALK

19 ACRE NW

CAPE SHORELINE

PROPERTY

WET FOOT / DRY FOOT

SHORELINE

ROUTE MAP

Charlotte Harbor

Preserve State Park

Ch

arl

ott

e

Blv

d

NW 36th Ter

Caloosa Pkwy

NW Cape Shoreline & Pier

Boardwalk & Trails

… the possibilities

QUESTIONS??