Cape Coral to Seize Fourteen Acres of Yellow Fever Creek Preserve for Massive Utilities Project

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) is strongly opposing a proposal by the Cape Coral Utilities Department to seize 14 acres of Yellow Fever Creek Park for a massive Utilities Project, which includes the construction of a large water storage and pump station complex for irrigation and potable water.  

The City is attempting to alter the land’s zoning and future use to accommodate the construction of water towers as tall as 40 feet and up to 140 feet in diameter as well as other structures.  However, the proposed development directly contradicts the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which specifically designates Yellow Fever Creek Park as preserved land for the conservation of local wildlife and public enjoyment.  Instead of following the Comprehensive Plan, efforts are underway to change it.  The proposal has been approved by the Developmental Services Department and will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission on December 11, 2024. 

In December of 2023, The Cape Coral Utilities Department submitted permit applications for Rezoning and Future Land Use Map Amendment (FLUMA) to make way for the project.  Documents obtained via public records request show the applications were not approved using the city’s own review process because “The proposed FLUMA is in not consistent with the following City Comprehensive Plan objectives and policy’s”:   Policy 1.7.17, 1.7.13 and 1.2.17. 

Policy 1.7.17 states “The City of Cape Coral recognizes the Yellow Fever Creek Headwaters Area, which is included in the Regional Park site in northeast Cape Coral (see Policy 1.7.13), as a unique upland habitat representative of the upland communities that were destroyed by the development of the City. The City commits itself to the restoration and protection of this area and development of a regional park for passive recreation uses that preserve the area, to the extent possible, in its natural and pristine state.”

The Developmental Services department is now going back on that commitment and has recommended approval for development within the preserve.  CCFW is disappointed that the City is considering sacrificing precious green space which they previously committed to preserving, and urges City government to seek an alternate site outside of Yellow Fever Creek which does not negatively impact our parks.   

Not only will the new complex sacrifice 14 acres of land currently preserved for wildlife and open space, it has the potential to exacerbate flooding in the park, threatening new boardwalks and campgrounds in areas which are already unusable during parts of the year due to water inundation.  The water tanks will create an eyesore visible to all visitors to the park, including those hiking the nature trails and enjoying the campgrounds.

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is urging residents to take action to protect Yellow Fever Creek Park and attend the upcoming Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.  The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Cape Coral City Hall, located at 1015 Cultural Park Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33990. The public’s involvement is crucial to ensure that this vital natural space is preserved for future generations.

The Agenda for the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting can be found at

https://www.capecoral.gov/department/clerk/agendas_and_videos.php