Residents tell Cape Coral planners to reconsider Redfish Point rezoning over wetlands and flood risk

At the Dec. 3 Cape Coral City Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, residents living near the Redfish Point property urged commissioners to oppose or carefully scrutinize a proposed rezoning that would convert preserved natural land to development.

Joseph Benezia, a Cape Coral resident, told the commission the proposal would build on "about 93" acres while the project proponents have said "at least 240 acres will be preserved in perpetuity," and argued that mangroves and wetlands around the site were essential storm protection after Hurricane Ian. "It would have been far worse if we didn't have the protection of those mangroves," he said.

Eileen Benezia, who said she also lives on Southwest 1st Court, noted that owners and representatives have pursued zoning changes for the land south of Rosewood Park for years. She said city staff produced a 25-page recommendation to deny the change in March 2025 and asked commissioners to "keep in mind" those staff concerns when the revised petition returns.

Other residents raised neighborhood-quality and safety concerns tied to potential development. Debbie Wheeler, a 45-year resident, said Northeast neighborhoods receive less enforcement and infrastructure investment than other parts of the city and warned that allowing commercial or large apartment projects "across from a high school" would worsen traffic and safety near children. "We don't have code enforcement up there. We don't have police protection," she said.

Dave Covello asked why Gator Circle School lacked an active school zone and raised traffic and access issues for nearby apartment developments, asking the commission to consider police presence and additional exits for large complexes. An unnamed Northeast resident warned that converting the acreage would "destroy" habitats for coyotes, bobcats, tortoises and other wildlife and produce more dangerous traffic patterns.

Why it matters: Speakers framed the dispute as both an environmental and public-safety question. They said wetlands and mangroves provide flood protection — a point they tied directly to recent experiences from Hurricane Ian — and argued the city's land-use designation and staff recommendation should weigh heavily when the developer's revised petition returns to the commission.

What happens next: The transcript records residents and the commission anticipating the revised petition for Redfish Point will come back to the commission in the coming months. No zoning change, vote or formal action on the Redfish Point property occurred at this meeting.