Thousands oppose morphing portion of 340-acre preserve into development

Someone wants to morph a nature preserve into an enormous development with 800 homes, 300 hotel rooms, and a bunch of commercial space in Southwest Florida’s largest city. However, the problem with this development project is that thousands of people oppose it.

At least 3,600 have signed a petition to try to kill the project.

Many who signed the petition think their homes won’t be protected from major storms or hurricanes if the project goes through.

That’s because the land the developers want to use is packed with mangroves. Those mangroves protect the land against high winds and massive storm surges. Those opposed to the development say they cannot afford to give up any of that natural protection.

The 340 acres of wetlands and uplands between Rotary Park and Tarpon Point are officially designated as nature preserves. The wetlands act like a sponge providing flood protection, while the mangroves along the riverbanks act as a buffer against storms.

A proposed development calls for 110 of those acres to become part of a Redfish Pointe. It’s a proposal that has been met with an uproar of extreme opposition from neighbors.

More than 3,600 people signed the petition urging the Cape Coral City Council to stop the development. In its comments, people say, “We need all the mangroves we presently have and more!”

The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation environmental policy director, Matt DePaolis, told WINK News about the importance of the mangroves.

“We saw that people who backed up to wetlands got significantly less water in their house than similar neighbors who were even further inland but backed up to a golf course,” said DePaolis.

WINK News sat down to talk with Annette Barbaccia, the commercial manager for Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group. She explained that the family that owns the land has hired multiple environmental consultants.

“We’ve talked to engineers, and there is nothing about the proposal that would create more flooding to everyone,” said Barbaccia.

Barbaccia noted multiple times that two-thirds of the land will stay preserved.

DePaolis said any loss of this type of land is a loss.

“I would be hesitant to say that you’re going to see no impact if you’re developing in wetlands, regardless of whatever mitigation off-site you’re proposing,” said DePaolis.

Cape Coral neighbors opposing the development will fill the Cape Coral library at around 5:30 p.m., Tuesday.