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Council sets height limit for Seven Islands development

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Stretching the vertical limits of what residents in Northwest Cape prefer, City Council on Monday OK’d the Seven Islands development vision for a maximum height of eight stories.

The plan put together by the consulting firm CPH Inc. was reviewed by Community Development Director Vince Cautero after more than a year of public meetings with residents, staff, other stakeholders and citywide survey results. A majority on council were comfortable with the eight-story height limit, saying even eight stories is not considered a high-rise development.

Residents, spearheaded by the Northwest Neighborhood Association, pleaded with council members to not overwhelm the area with high-rise structures and destroy the environmentally sensitive area.

“Let’s not do it by killing the environment,” said NWNA president Denis Catalano. “That’s like killing the goose that laid the golden egg.”

The vision plan presented council with a series of mixed use residential/commercial development ideas featuring marinas, beaches, multi-story hotel and residential structures, community center and other amenities available for public use. The plan ranged from two stories to 10 or more stories in height. By process of elimination over the last few months, council had to decide between the final two options Monday night topping out at eight stories.

Councilmembers Rick Williams, who represents the district in which the Seven Islands is located, and Jessica Cosden preferred the development stay at four stories.

“Four stories has always been my height and I’m sticking with it,” said Williams. “I think we should concentrate on what types of attractions to develop to make it a destination. Building height is residential. That’s not a destination. We should look at the amenities.”

Councilmember Rana Erbrick said the property presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city.

“We can wish all we want, but the developer ultimately will determine what goes there,” said Erbrick. “I still say we should go big or go home. Besides, eight stories is not a high-rise.”

Councilmember Jim Burch cautioned council not to ignore what the people want.

“We don’t want to overwhelm the area with concrete,” Burch said. “The amenities are for the public to enjoy. We need to take advantage of a unique opportunity with a proper mix of commercial development and we need that commercial tax base. One thing to remember, the amenities increase with the height of the building.”

With the maximum building height decided, City Manager John Szerlag is charged with bringing a final report to council next Monday for approval so staff can begin determining appropriate land use and zoning designations to facilitate development.

On Wednesday, council will review the city’s Parks Master Plan in a workshop session at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. With consultant firm Barth Associates, staff held public input meetings and surveys since the beginning of the year. The plan is expected to be approved by the end of the year.

Council’s next meeting is at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, in Council Chambers after the members convene a meeting at 3 p.m. as Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners.