PERMITTING WON’T EVEN BE DONE UNTIL 2028. >> WE LOVE TO SEE SOME RESTAURANTS THAT WE CAN WALK TO. WE LOVE TO SEE SOME RETAIL SPACE. REALLY DON’T THINK IT’S A GOOD IDEA FOR OUR AREA. THERE ARE ALREADY OTHER POPULATED. >> YOU JUST HEARD MIXED REACTION TODAY TO A HUGE NEW PROJECT COMING TO WESTERN CAPE CORAL. NEIGHBORS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE DEVELOPMENT. ITS IMPACT TRAFFIC AND THE ENVIRONMENT. 7 ISLANDS WOULD BRING A HOTEL SHOPS, CONDOS, A PARK AND A HARBOR TO THIS. 47 ACRE LOT JUST OFF OLD BURNT STORE ROAD. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER NAYLOR GRAND PIER SPOKE TO NEIGHBORS WHO WE’RE WEIGHING IN ON THE PROJECT. >> I’M EXCITED FOR THE NEW RESTAURANTS IN ACTIVITY WHERE HAVE A LOT MORE BUILDINGS COMING UP, THE AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT GOING TO HOLD RIGHT NOW. THERE’S NOTHING ON THE 7 MANMADE ISLANDS WHEN THE PROJECT IS DONE. BILL, LOOK LIKE THIS. >> THE DEVELOPER PLANS TO BRING A RESORT APARTMENTS, CONDOS, A MARINA AND OTHER AMENITIES AND NOW THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD. BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE OVERDEVELOPMENT IN TRAFFIC. I WOULD HAVE SAID NOW WE CAN’T DO THIS. THE ROADS ARE NOT GOING TO HANDLE. OTHERS ARE MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THAT. THEY’VE DONE THEIR TRAFFIC ANALYSIS. THEY HAVE THIS PART OF GETTING APPROVAL WITH THE CITY. I SPOKE WITH NORTHWEST CAPE CORAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENT KEVIN BLACK, WHO’S BEEN WORKING WITH FORCE DEVELOPMENT TO MAKE SURE THE PROJECT ISN’T JUST A PLACE FOR VISITORS, BUT FOR NEIGHBORS TO THIS IS GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE IT RIGHT HERE, SORT OF IN OUR BACKYARD. I ALSO THINK IT’S GOING TO SERVE AS SORT OF A HUB, IF YOU WILL, WHERE NEIGHBORS ARE GOING TO COME TO MEET NEIGHBORS, MAYBE HAVE DINNER TOGETHER, SIT ON THE WATER. I ALSO SPOKE WITH REALTOR, SAMMY A WHAT ELSE THIS COULD MEAN FOR NEIGHBORS AND ALSO THE VALUES OF THEIR PROPERTY WENT UP AND IT ALSO BECAUSE OF ALL OF THAT THINGS HAPPEN THAT IMPROVE THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD. SO I CAN SAY IS PEOPLE THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT JUST SIT TIGHT. IT WILL LIKELY BE YEARS BEFORE EVERYTHING IS BUILT. BUT THE CITY TELLS ME THE NEXT STEP FOR THE DEVELOPERS IS CLOSING THE FINAL DEAL ON THE PROPERTY, WHICH COULD HAPPEN AS SOON AS EARL
Final approval for Seven Islands development given by Cape Coral City Council sparks debate
Updated: 8:58 PM EST Jan 22, 2026
The Cape Coral City Council gave the final approval for Forest Development to move forward with the Seven Islands development. “I really don’t think it’s a good idea for our area,” said resident Gail Moore. “They’re already overpopulated. We already have a lot more buildings coming up. The infrastructure is not going to hold.” When the project is complete, it will feature a resort, apartments, condos and a marina along with other amenities. Those against seeing the development voiced concerns over overdevelopment and traffic, while others look forward to the attractions.Kevin Black, president of the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, said he’s been working closely with the developers to ensure input from neighbors is taken into consideration. “This is going to be an opportunity to have it right here, sort of in our backyard. I also think it’s going to serve as sort of a hub, if you will, where neighbors are going to come to meet neighbors, maybe have dinner together, sit on the water,” Black said. Realtor Sam Yaffey explained the effects for nearby homes, citing increased property value.”All I can say to people that are worried about , just sit tight. It’s going to be a good thing for everyone,” Yaffey said. Black says the project likely won’t be complete for years. The next step is closing the deal on the property, which could happen in early February.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
The Cape Coral City Council gave the final approval for Forest Development to move forward with the Seven Islands development.
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea for our area,” said resident Gail Moore. “They’re already overpopulated. We already have a lot more buildings coming up. The infrastructure is not going to hold.”
When the project is complete, it will feature a resort, apartments, condos and a marina along with other amenities. Those against seeing the development voiced concerns over overdevelopment and traffic, while others look forward to the attractions.
Kevin Black, president of the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, said he’s been working closely with the developers to ensure input from neighbors is taken into consideration.
“This is going to be an opportunity to have it right here, sort of in our backyard. I also think it’s going to serve as sort of a hub, if you will, where neighbors are going to come to meet neighbors, maybe have dinner together, sit on the water,” Black said.
Realtor Sam Yaffey explained the effects for nearby homes, citing increased property value.
“All I can say to people that are worried about [this], just sit tight. It’s going to be a good thing for everyone,” Yaffey said.
Black says the project likely won’t be complete for years. The next step is closing the deal on the property, which could happen in early February.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.