Cape Coral Yacht Club debate heats up over public access and hotel plans
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Four years after the Cape Coral Yacht Club closed, residents and council members debated two redevelopment proposals during a committee of the whole meeting, with public access and hotel plans at the center of the discussion.
One resident said, “I could look out my front door and see a seven-story hotel, and I don’t think that’s what I moved to Cape Coral for.”
Councilmember Bill Steinke responded to public input, saying, “The number of people at citizens input talked about, I came here for peace and quiet, for a small community. Well, then the homework must not have been done because we’re not a bedroom community.”
Emotions ran high as residents shared their opinions on the two proposals. Forest and Yacht Club Development Group (YCDG) proposed a four-star high-rise hotel, a boat storage building, shops, and a townhome community. KMB Marine and Yacht Clubs of the Americas suggested a seven-story hotel, a 685-space parking garage, and restaurants.
One resident pleaded, “Don’t do this to us. Please don’t. And I know the hotel people are here, but please listen to us.”
Councilmember Derrick Donnell expressed his opposition to the hotel plans, saying, “The seven-story hotel is a non-starter for me.”
Six council members supported KMB’s plan, noting its resemblance to the original Cape Coral Yacht Club, but they opposed the hotel component. Donnell did not support either proposal.
The community emphasized the need for public access to amenities, including the pool, beach, community center, and parking. The council directed city staff to work with KMB to refine its proposal.
Steve Jones with KMB Marine and Yacht Clubs of the Americas said, “I think that if we spent some time with the city staff, all of the questions that they had about public access, about the hotel, about the money, if you will, the investment and the return on the investment, we can answer pretty quickly.”
The next elected city council will decide the final plan for the Cape Coral Yacht Club, as the future of the site remains uncertain.
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