Bill Dahms, President
billdahms@gmail.com
941-828-0447
MISSION STATEMENT
To inform Cape Haze residents and other interested parties, of local environmental and safety issues, and to advocate, with other organizations, the protection of these environmental and quality of life issues through appropriate actions.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Friends of Cape Haze (FOCH) was founded in 2003 in response to plans develop a high rise hotel to be called Bahia Limon in an area south of the current Hacienda development. FOCH led a group of homeowners associations and individuals in a successful effort to deter the high rise hotel plans, which were clearly incompatible with the neighborhood.
Following the Bahia Limon effort, FOCH, along with others, was effective in opposing an illegal boat launch on the property at the corner of Placida Road and Green Dolphin North. In about 2007, a group including the Cape Haze Property Owners Association, filed an appeal to a proposal to develop the same property, now called Aquia, in violation of the County’s waterfront height ordinance. Once the appeal was filed the application was withdrawn.
In reaction to the FOCH success in enforcing the waterfront height rule, Charlotte County and developers began an all out assault with the intention of gutting it entirely. FOCH led the neighborhood development interests in the adoption of a waterfront height compromise by the County, requiring a strong open space for height trade. The revised rule has been effective in continuing to limit waterfront heights.
In about 2008, FOCH, along with others, led opposition to a proposal to develop the Wildflower Gold Course with an intensive condo development. After multiple hearings, the County finally rejected the proposal based on extensive research showing that the property had used up its density allotment when surrounding condos were built. The Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) then began a fundraising effort to buy the property and preserve it along with Lemon Creek. The effort was hugely successful, bringing together many community groups , including FOCH and its neighbors. Among those interested neighbors were many from Boca Grande who took an interest in the development of the mainland neighborhood. This widespread alliance, including the Gasparilla Island Conversation and Improvement Association (GICIA), has been very effective in preserving the environment of Cape Haze.
In subsequent years, LBC completed a major wetland restoration of the now named Wildflower Lemon Creek Preserve. With the assistance from numerous volunteers, donors from the a larger community of Cape Haze and Boca Grande and from BOAA and South West Florida Waste Management District (SWFWMD) the restoration was successful.
In 2010, the County began a broad amendment to its Comprehensive Plan, which would substantially weaken the density, safety, hurricane safety, and environmental values and protections of the plan. FOCH participated in every step of this effort, successfully appealing and resolving provisions of the density transfer, evacuation safety and wetland protection. Again, FOCH sought to involve the wider community in these efforts working, with allies , including GICIA, the Sierra Club and CHPOA. This effort is an ongoing one as there will always be those who see our area as one fertile for high rise and high density development.
In 2011, several of our members became involved in proposed plans to widen Placida Road into a major four-lane highway. This would have had a seriously negative impact for the area. The result of our efforts was a more modest proposal adding a multi-use path, turn lanes and the resurfacing of Placida Road, without the construction of a four-lane highway.
Over the years, there have been many proposals to develop Mercabo, the former Mercury Marine site at the corner of Gasparilla Road and Placida Road. FOCH led the opposition to each of these proposals, which consistently assumed substantial density and intensity increases, as well as much higher hotel buildings. GCIA, in turn, led an effort, which in six weeks raised $22 million dollars to buy this property. They are now completing an effort to restore it to a valuable coastal wetland, using many innovative restoration techniques.
Nearby, the old Fishery Restaurant property came to the market, leading to a plan for the development of high-density high-rise condos. FOCH led the opposition to the proposal, hiring legal counsel and a land planning expert. A strong presentation to the Planning and Zoning Board led to the Zoning Board rejecting the proposal. This effort involved coordination with numerous homeowners associations and included individuals who packed the hearing room. After the rejection by the Planning and Zoning Boards, Cookie Potter Feinberg and her husband, Jay Feinberg, purchased the property as a boutique hotel with condos. FOCH has strongly supported that project due to it compliance with zoning requirements.
Most recently, FOCH has joined others, including Windward HOA, to oppose a proposal to develop a Coral Creek waterfront property at 4700 Arlington Road. Five-story condos were proposed for this small five acre parcel in a single family neighborhood. As a result, the developer has not proceeded and the property is still on the market.
SUMMARY
During the 18 years of its existence, FOCH has not objected to a landowner doing what the laws and regulations say they are allowed to do. FOCH has devoted its efforts to ensuring compliance with existing laws and protections. It will continue to be alert to issues involving ANY destructive development of the Cape Haze Peninsula that threatens the safety of its residents or endangers it very special environment.