State ex rel. Lee v. City of Cape Coral

In the 1960’s Gulf American Corporation developed a massive tract of closely knit subdivisions in a previously undeveloped area of Lee County. The development was known as Cape Coral. In 1970, the Legislature passed a Special Act, Ch. 70-623, tentatively establishing and organizing the “City of Cape Coral.” Actual implementation of the Act was dependent upon approval through referendum of the people residing within the proposed City limits. The referendum passed successfully.

Although the subdivision area comprised 30 square miles in area, the boundaries set up by Special Act encompassed an…