Cape Coral City Council approved the purchase of its 13th lot for the preservation of burrowing owl habitats.
Resolution 61-26 passed 7-1 with Councilmember Keith Long opposing Wednesday due to the price tag of $47,960, including fees and closing costs.
Long questioned the transactions of the property, which sold for $16,000 on Sept. 22, 2025, and then for $33,000 on Dec. 23, 2025.
Dawn Andrews with the city’s real estate division said the market value of the property was identified as $42,000. She said the city offered $35,000, the seller wanted $40,000 and the price was settled at $37,000.
“I hesitate – the property changed twice in a down economy, one point 70% less,” Long said.
The council approved the purchase of 458 N.E. Juanita Court for $47,960 – which includes closing costs not to exceed $2,700 and the remaining balance of the North 2 UEP assessments in the amount of $8,260.
The Burrowing Owl Habitat Protection grant was used to purchase the property. The grant was established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The grant total was $900,000.
Councilmember Rachel Kaduk said although she supported the purchase, she asked if the city could obtain an operational grant to cover the costs of mowing and trimming around the burrows. She said she wants to make sure they are fiscally responsible for taking on more owl lots and maintaining them. City staff said they would get with the grant coordinator to see, as the program was created specifically for Cape Coral.
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