Cape Coral taking next steps to preserve land along Four Mile Cove

A major victory has been had for the people fighting to preserve an open space in Cape Coral along Four Mile Cove.

The area is just north of the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, and it was going to be the site for hundreds of homes, but after months of community backlash developer D.R. Horton canceled its contract.

No reason was provided to why company backed out of the contract, but people and city leaders made it clear they want the land to stay the way it is.

“I see too many lands that are supposed to be protected get used building apartments, golf courses, whatever,” Cape resident Lisa Dutton said. “I think there’s plenty of land to build on in Cape Coral. They need to leave it alone.”

Neighbors who fought against the development of land near Four Mile Cove hope a Lee County committee will recommend the county purchase and preserve the mangrove habitat in southeast Cape Coral, making it part of the Conservation 20/20 program.

County Commissioner Brian Hamman says the nearly 195-acre plot would be one of the last and best environmental conservation opportunities in Cape Coral.

DOCUMENT: Letter from the Cape Coral Mayor supporting Lee County’s purchase of the property

Hamman also told us about the criteria commissioners look for when they are making a purchase like that piece of land.

“We look for property that has a lot of water quality aspects to it, and there’s being right on the river would certainly be a part of that,” Hamman said. “We also look for property that’s large … This is certainly a big piece of land, and It’s connecting to existing preserve.”

The sale has the support of many neighbors and Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello.

If this moves forward to commissioners after today’s meeting, the county will vote on getting the property appraised, and then put a deal together.