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Cape Coral council schedules final hearing on 7 Islands mixed-use plan after residents raise traffic and market concerns
Summary
Council set Jan. 21, 2026 as the second and final public hearing on Ordinance 60-25, a development agreement for the 47-acre 7 Islands project; residents raised traffic, infrastructure and housing-market concerns while staff and the developer outlined phased improvements and public amenities.
The Cape Coral City Council set a second and final public hearing for Jan. 21 on Ordinance 60-25, the development agreement for a 47-acre mixed-use project known as 7 Islands.
Sharon Woodbury, the city’s economic development manager, described the plan as a phased master development that would include a hotel limited to 150 feet, waterfront residential buildings, a 39-slip marina, a 16,000-square-foot community center, at least 45,000 square feet of commercial space, and infrastructure commitments along Old Burnt Store Road. Woodbury said staff found the proposal met the city’s review criteria and recommended approval.
Several neighbors spoke during the public hearing raising traffic and infrastructure questions. Kenneth Evans, who lives near Old Burnt Store Road, said existing neighborhood streets lack capacity and expressed concern that local roads could become cut-through routes. "There shouldn't be that many people in that area — it's very quiet now," he said.
Jessica Ralston, a District 1 resident, questioned the timing and market assumptions for up to 950–996 new units, saying recent post–Hurricane Ian conditions and visible rental inventories make the market look "soft" and risk seasonal vacancies. Joan Fry, who lives directly across from the site, urged that infrastructure be in place before occupancy, saying she cannot reliably access Burnt Store Road during peak travel times.
Sam Bauer, representing Forest Development and the project developer, said the team has engaged neighborhood association members and conducted traffic studies. "We have designed the community to be golf-cart and pedestrian friendly," he said, and added the developer expects mostly permanent residents rather than transient occupancy.
Council members emphasized the long phasing timeline in the agreement and noted infrastructure and seawall work are among the first developer responsibilities. Council members also pointed to sections of the draft agreement that tie certain commercial and roadway improvements to performance milestones and certificates of occupancy.
No final action was taken tonight; the council’s next, second-and-final public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026.
Provenance: City staff presentation and materials; resident comments during the Jan. 7 public hearing.
