Cape Coral council rejects $300K-era urban forestry master plan after debate on costs and scope

Councilmembers on the Cape Coral City Council voted 6-2 on July 16 to defeat a resolution to fund an urban forestry master plan, a consultant-led study city staff said is intended to map the city’s tree canopy, recommend planting and preservation strategies, and identify code changes and grant opportunities. The motion to approve the plan failed after hours of discussion about costs, outcomes and timing.

Proponents described the plan as a strategic step to grow the city’s canopy beyond its present 11–12% coverage. “In order for us to grow our tree canopy…to 20% you’re looking at having to plant over 500,000 trees in the city,” City Arborist Omar Leon told council, adding the plan would include canopy analysis using lidar and parcel-level mapping and would produce short- and long-term actionable recommendations.