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REDFISH POINT

CAPE CORAL POLITICS FLORIDA PALM TREESRedfish Point Parcel

The Redfish Pointe (also referred to as Redfish Point) controversy in Cape Coral, Florida, centers on a proposed land use change for a 350-acre undeveloped waterfront parcel along the Caloosahatchee River, south of Rotary Park in the southwest part of the city.

RED FISH POINT, REDFISH POINT, REDFISH POINTE CAPE CORAL FLORIDA
REDFISH POINTE, CAPE CORAL – REDFISH POINT PARCEL

Background and Proposal

The land, owned by the Zemel family since 1959, was redesignated as Preservation in 1989. Property owners seek to amend the future land use map for about 110 acres to allow mixed-use development, while preserving the remaining 240 acres (nearly 70%) as wetlands and open space. The proposal is not a specific development plan but a “template” with restrictions, capping potential future builds at:

  • Up to 800 multifamily residential units
  • A 300-room hotel
  • Retail, office, and restaurant space (around 50,000 sq ft)

It includes public amenities like boardwalks, bike paths, observation decks, and enhanced mangrove areas. Proponents argue it would create jobs (over 2,000 estimated), generate tax revenue (~$18 million annually), provide public waterfront access, and include studies showing no increased flooding risk (based on modeling of Hurricane Ian surge).

Opposition and Concerns

Residents and groups like Protect Our Wetlands in Cape Coral strongly oppose it, citing:

  • Loss of critical wetlands and mangroves that act as a natural buffer against storm surge and flooding (especially post-Hurricane Ian)
  • Increased flood risk to nearby neighborhoods
  • Traffic overload on local roads
  • Harm to wildlife habitat
  • Incompatibility with the city’s Comprehensive Plan for coastal high-hazard areas

City staff have repeatedly recommended denial, calling the plan “wholly incompatible” with wetland protection policies. Protests, petitions, and rallies have been ongoing since 2023, with significant turnout in early 2025.

Public Safety & Infrastructure: City staff and residents have raised alarms about evacuation times. Current Lee County evacuation times for a Category 5 storm are estimated at 25 hours, far exceeding the 16-hour safety benchmark. Additionally, the site lacks existing utilities and road access, requiring significant public infrastructure investment in a high-risk coastal zone.

Current Status (as of January, 2026)

The project remains in the approval stages with no final decision. City staff continue to recommend denial of the land use amendment. There has been limited public activity from the owners since mid-2025, and opposition groups report no major updates.

Protests against the proposal have drawn local crowds:

Organized Opposition: A resident-led group, Protect Our Wetlands in Cape Coral, has collected over 4,500 signatures and organized multiple protests to stop the project.

For more details, check the proponents’ site (redfishpointe.com) or the opposition’s (protectourwetlandsincapecoral.org). The debate reflects broader tensions in rapidly growing Cape Coral between development, economic growth, and environmental preservation in a hurricane-vulnerable area.

DEVELOPMENT PLANS WITHDRAWN

The proposed Redfish Pointe development in Cape Coral was officially withdrawn by the property owners on February 3, 2026. This decision effectively cancels the current plans for a large-scale mixed-use project that had faced years of intense community and environmental opposition. 

Key Details of the Cancellation

  • Withdrawal of Application: Attorneys for the Zemel family (the property owners) sent a formal letter to the City of Cape Coral withdrawing their request to amend the Future Land Use Map.
  • Reasons for the Halt: While the owners did not provide a specific reason in their letter, the project faced a “recommendation for denial” from city planning staff, who labeled the proposal “wholly incompatible” with protecting local wetlands.
  • Major Obstacles: City staff cited concerns regarding hurricane evacuation times (which exceeded state benchmarks), potential flooding risks after Hurricane Ian, and the lack of viable road access through protected conservation land at Rotary Park. 

Future of the Land

  • Current Status: The withdrawal removes the immediate threat of development, but the land remains privately owned.
  • Conservation Efforts: Organizations like Protect Our Wetlands in Cape Coral are now pivoting their focus toward urging the city or county to purchase the 350-acre property for permanent preservation through programs like Lee County’s Conservation 20/20.

Additional Websites Created by Joe Angrisano:

CAPE CORAL HISTORY