Isles of Capri Needs a Fighting Chance Against Big Money

The Isles of Capri was formerly a secluded fishing area made up of four mangrove islands back in the early ‘50’s when Leland L. “Doc” Loach discovered the area. At that time, there was no road so “Doc” used wooden boats to cross the Marco River to investigate the fishing and discovered an opportunity that ignited his soul.

Rosanna Loach, “Doc’s” wife, described the original land back in the 50’s as land that existed under four different country’s flags. Thanks to a treaty with Spain in 1821, the Isles became part of the United States and became part of the Union in 1845.

This is where time slows down. For over 100 years the mangrove islands seemed in suspended animation, even though ownership changed sometimes, but there were few residents and no development. Colorful stories of solitary travelers passing through, perhaps wanted by the law, pirates and rumors of treasure buried there, but no proof except for one man, Mr. Hudson, who lived the life of a hermit in a little secluded shack in the 50’s.

Doc Loach hailed from Georgia and Tennessee. He had experience with plumbing, operated a pharmacy and studied to be a chiropractor. He moved to Fort Lauderdale after serving in the U.S. Navy and found that the real estate business was where the money was and so began his career as a developer on the East Coast, where he was very successful.

Loach, looking for his personal paradise in the sunny climes of Florida, traveled to the Gulf Coast of Florida and soon purchased 600 acres of mangrove islands for $350 per acre. He set up an office on the land that would become Isles of Capri and imparted his vision to others, some of whom shared his vision and believed that man and nature could live in harmony, so bought land parcels and looked forward to the development soon to occur. 

 Doc Loach had vision. He wanted to connect the mangrove islands by joining them together to create a community. And he did. It took lots of planning, perseverance, and dredging 24 hours a day for years to enable most of the houses on both sides of the streets to have water views and access to the Marco River and the Gulf of Mexico. He built a small community of charm and friendships and those who reach out to each other in time of need and were congenial and supportive neighbors through thick and thin.

This was Doc Loach’s vision for the Isles of Capri; a community of charm, fishing, boating, kayaking, Halloween activities for the island kids, community, bingo, friendships, holiday golf cart parades, walkers and joggers with fellowship and respect for others. It was not his vision, or the people who shared his vision and lived here in peace and tranquility to have gated mega-high rises in the center of community land previously used for religious services, community focused picnics/barbecues and music.

It was not Doc Loach’s vision to add density and traffic to the peaceful community, or to build a private clubhouse that serves only the community that is applying for the zone change for the private development, including condominium buildings, from C-3 to PUD.

It was also not his vision to have so much traffic (according to their traffic survey, the traffic could increase from 200 vehicles during peak hours to 400 vehicles.) The traffic is already a challenge and parking is a nightmare for the four excellent, existing restaurants, not to mention parking for boat charters.

To clarify, C-3 means use for general commercial uses including retail, restaurants, intensive service commercial use primarily of a non-retail nature, some of which require outdoor storage or activity areas. 

PUD - Planned Unit Development is a self-contained development in which the subdivision and zoning controls are applied to the project as a whole, rather than to individual lots and to provide more flexibility than conventional zoning. Density requirements, setbacks and other land use regulations may be adjusted to allow for a more desirable living environment.

It’s time to take a stand. Keep Isles of Capri as the vision that Doc Loach saw many years ago and worked to create, with like-minded residents who also wanted to participate in the serene dream community. All progress is not progress but requires thoughtful assessment of one’s quality of life and the consideration of Doc’s dream for all of us that live and love being here on the Isles of Capri.

Thank you to Ann Hall for providing Isle of Capri research.