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Cape Coral Planners Approve Dense Housing Near Caloosahatchee River
City planners will review a proposal next month that could open the Chiquita Boulevard corridor to denser development amid rising demand for housing near the Caloosahatchee.
How we reported this
The Cape Coral Planning Commission is scheduled to review a rezoning application on July 28 that targets the stretch of Chiquita Boulevard north of Veterans Parkway, shifting the area from strict single-family zoning to permit townhomes and small-scale commercial uses.
The timing aligns with Cape Coral’s steady population increase, which reached 224,500 residents by early 2026 and has pushed builders to look beyond the established waterfront districts for new inventory. City records show building permit applications in the northwest sector rose 18 percent in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2025.
Local anchors and daily routines
Properties along Southwest 6th Avenue and Northwest 3rd Terrace sit within walking distance of Rotary Park Environmental Center, where families gather for weekend trails, and the Cape Coral Public Library branch on Chiquita Boulevard, which hosts regular community meetings. These spots have anchored the neighborhood for years, yet the surrounding blocks have seen little new construction since the 2008 housing slowdown.
Price data and market signals
Current listings in the target blocks average $312,000, or roughly $268 per square foot, according to the Cape Coral Multiple Listing Service through June 2026. That compares with $341 per square foot in already-rezoned pockets along Del Prado Boulevard, where values climbed 22 percent after similar code changes took effect in 2023. The pending application covers 47 acres and would allow up to 18 units per acre if approved.
Prospective buyers or investors should review the full staff report on the city’s planning department website and attend the July 28 commission meeting at City Hall to track conditions that could affect final density allowances.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.