Cape Coral Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of an ordinance that will add new uses to the city’s land development code. The new proposed uses are social services, arcade, marine fuel pump, distribution center, automotive towing establishment, live/workspace and heliport and helipad. 

“We believe that the uses that are proposed by staff will provide business opportunities and have the potential to increase the mix in goods and services to people living in Cape Coral,” Planning Team Coordinator Mike Struve said. 

Out of the eight new uses, five were previously allowed in the city and three are new uses that are being considered.  

The three new uses are marine fuel pump, distribution center and live/workspace.  

In terms of a distribution center, Struve said the use would allow for larger e-commerce facilities in the city, using Amazon as an example.  

A live/workspace was described as an existing commercial business with an accessory or ancillary use of allowing a person to live in the unit. “The stereotypic vision that people often have are these studios where you might have a loft where someone works in the studio and lives in that unit full time,” Struve said.  

A marine fuel pump use caught the attention of some commissioners, prompting questions of the criteria needed for that use.  

Struve defined the use as a fuel dispensing pump providing an accessory use to a commercial establishment in which, except for a marina, no boat repair or boat storage is provided. 

“This is not a use that could be enjoyed by itself, but would be used in conjunction, for example, with a restaurant or maybe a retail store or shopping center that was located on the water for business owners that want to provide slips to allow people to motor up to their establishment and to either eat at a restaurant or purchase goods at a retail store,” Struve said. 

City staff proposes the marine fuel pump use be adopted with special regulations, including a 2-acre minimum site requirement, sites with waterways with a 150-foot minimum width and a site with a 200-foot minimum of water frontage. 

Planning Commission Chair Jesse Marker questioned uses he thought would have substantial impact on surrounding property, including the heliport. 

“In terms of the heliport/helipad, I think those were uses that were actually recommended to be included back into our code by our fire department staff,” Struve said. “I could see those also potentially being needed or enjoyed by larger medical facilities.” 

Struve said the private sector also could take advantage of the heliport/helipad use, although it would be unlikely.  

The introduction of the item to City Council is scheduled for April 17, with two public hearings scheduled in May.