Estero Development Report

Estero Community Website

Every day about 175 persons learn about Estero and its growth management efforts by viewing the website of:
 
Estero Community Planning Panel (ECPP);
Estero Civic Association (ECA);
Estero Design Review Committee (EDRC), and
Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL)
Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council (Arts Estero)

www.esterofl.org

The site is still in formation.…your suggestions for improvement are most welcome.

The 2006 Election and Estero

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is the key governmental body for Estero because Estero is an unincorporated Lee County community.
 
Usually Primary Elections are not of great significance, but that was not the case this year. Three of the five County Commission seats were contested in the September Primary Election and two of the five Commissioners were elected in that election.
 
During that campaign candidates Mann, Coy and Bigelow took positions very much in alignment with stances that the ECCL and other Estero community organizations have adopted while incumbents Hall and St Cerny had consistently supported the $10 million Coconut Road Interchange. Mann was elected (with 80% support in Estero) while Coy lost to incumbent Commissioner Tammy Hall by 3,672 in spite of the fact that he was supported by 67% of the voters in the five exclusively Estero precincts.
 
Surprisingly, Brian Bigelow won the Republican primary against 16 year incumbent Doug St Cerny. Brian Bigelow was supported by 61% of the voters in the five exclusively Estero precincts and 54% of the voters in the partially Estero precincts. Over half (445) of Bigelow’s 885 vote margin of victory was provided by Estero voters.
 
In the General Election Estero supported Bigelow with 78% of its votes. He won countywide with 71.5% of the vote. Once again Estero voters participated at a much higher rate than elsewhere, 56% to 48%. This higher turnout was largely the result of increased absentee voting in Estero, especially in Precinct 132, the Brooks, where 22.5% of the voters cast absentee votes. Once again Precinct 167, Stoneybrook, Wildcat Run and Bella Terra, trailed badly with only 9.9% absentee votes.
 
Finally, Estero Fire District Commissioners Barbara Akins and Sam Levy were resoundingly reelected to serve new four year terms.
 
We would like to thank all of you for your participation and support for local candidates that support policies favorable to the Estero community.

Estero Property Tax Base Grows by $1.43 Billion in 2006

Estero's 2006 property tax base increased by a record $1.47 billion over the prior year. This increase is $500 million larger than our previous highest increase recorded one year earlier in 2005. This year’s growth is larger than Estero’s total property tax base just six years ago, in 2000.
 
The Lee County Tax Appraiser's final 2006 data shows Estero’s property tax base to be $5.67 billion. That value is about 13 times what it was ten years ago in 1996 and nearly doubles the community’s tax base just three years ago.
 
As a result of this growth Estero’s tax base is now:

•  50 % greater than the City of Fort Myers Beach, and
•  19 % greater than the City of Sanibel,
•  4.4% less than the City of Ft Myers,
•  42% less than the City of Bonita Springs.

Estero’s Housing Permitting Slow in October

Housing units permitted in Estero during October fell once again with only four multi-family units permitted for the second consecutive month. Only 44 housing units were permitted during the month, 40 of them single family homes.
 
The following table shows how the first ten months of 2006 compares with the same period during the prior six years:

As the above table shows, fewer housing units were permitted in Estero during the first ten months of 2006 than in the same period in any year since 2000. In spite of this decline, the average building value, excluding the land beneath it, was far higher than in any prior year and almost double the average price in 2000, in spite of having the smallest percentage (38.4%) of single family homes. As a consequence 2006 still has produced the second highest increase in total residential building value.

Year to Date Commercial Building Value Continues Highest on Record

The value of commercial buildings permitted in Estero during the first ten months of 2006 totaled $177 million. The next highest commercial permit total for that period, $75 million, was in 2000, when the Hyatt Coconut Point Resort was permitted.
 
The major projects that contributed to the 2006 total are:

•  About $84.6 million in the Coconut Point Town Center;
•  $47.5 million for the Lowe’s store in the Estero Town Commons
•  over $11 million in Phase 5 of the Miromar Outlets Center
•  nearly $3.25 million for office buildings in Estero Park Commons
•  $950 thousand for the Walgreens Drug Store in Paradise Shoppes (northwest corner of US 41 and Williams Road)
•  $1.06 million for the Lee County Utilities facility on the south side of Corkscrew Road east of I-75; 
•  $1.4 million for the Barkis Car Wash south of the Corkscrew Village Shopping Center on US 41, and
•  $2.3 million for several Empire Builders office buildings in the Galleria project.

REMINDER: The building values understate the cost of each residence or commercial building because it excludes the value of the underlying land.

Mining Hearing Postponed at Last Minute

The Corkscrew Road mining permit application hearing scheduled for November 8th and 9th was postponed by the applicant at the last minute. The Lee County Hearing Examiner assigned to the case continued the hearing until 8:45 a.m. on February 23, 2007 when a “status conference” will be conducted. If the applicant, the Estero Group, is prepared to proceed at that time the Hearing Examiner will set a new date for the hearing some weeks or months later.
 
The attorney for the Estero Group informed the Hearing Examiner that the applicant needed more time to work with the U S Fish and Wildlife Agency on the possible impact that the project will have on the “Panther issue”.
 
As reported in our September issue on September 14th the National Wildlife Federation wrote the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) asking them to apply certain provisions of the Endangered Species Act “to mining and other excavation activities in Lee County that are having significant adverse effects on the Florida panther. We understand that several applications for large scale excavation projects are pending throughout Lee County, and in some cases, these applications are not only bypassing public input but also, apparently, FWS review.”
 
The three pending mining applications are located on land that has been identified as Secondary Zone Panther Habitat. In addition other large parcels in the area are being marketed as prospective mining locations even though they are in Primary Zone Panther Habitat. The letter also points out the impact that truck traffic associated with mining has upon the panther. On August 25th a panther was killed by a collision with a pick-up truck on Corkscrew Road, this was the second panther to be killed by a collision in Lee County this year. At present there are an estimated 80 to 100 panthers in southwest Florida while about 240 such animals are needed for a self-sustaining, viable population.
 
Thus the Florida Wildlife Federation urged FWS to notify the mining applicants that they risk violating Article 9 of the Endangered Species Act and that they must apply to the FWS for a permit and prepare a Habitat Conservation Plan for approval by the FWS. In addition the Federation urged FWS to notify Lee County that it too may be in violation of the Act and that it too needs to apply for a permit and prepare a Plan. Finally the letter recommends that “Lee County amend its comprehensive plan to address endangered specie concerns, particularly relating to cumulative habitat loss and road kills.”
 
Apparently the FWS has responded to the letter from the National Wildlife Federation. 

Background

The Estero Group is seeking to develop over 300 acres along Corkscrew Road as a dirt mine. If approved, this project will add about 450 truck trips per day to Estero and Lee County roads. If this project is approved other mines and more dump trucks will follow. At present there is only one mine operating along Corkscrew Road but two more Corkscrew Road mine permit applications have been filed in addition to the Estero Group’s application.
 
Lee County zoning staff has recommended approval of this application.

Prior to the next hearing the ECCL and the Corkscrew Road Rural Community plan to work with Lee DOT and Florida DOT to measure the current impact that trucks serving the existing mines are having on all of Estero’s major roadways.
 
For further information on mining in eastern Estero see the Corkscrew Road Rural Community website at http://www.corkscrewroad.org/ .

County Hires Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource (DRGR) Study Review Consultant

On November 21st the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the County Manager’s recommendation to hire McLane Environmental to review all the existing studies of the DRGR and prepare a summary that the BOCC can use to develop amended land use policies for that 150 square mile area. After hearing public testimony on the issue and considerable discussion the Commissioner’s voted 4 to 1 to approve the contract with the understanding that the consultants would:

• consider all the studies that have been brought to the County’s attention, and
•  prepare a report that would include overlay maps that will show the geographic implications of most valid science on each of the factors affecting the DRGR, e.g. water supply and quality; flow-ways; flooding; wetlands; habitat; mining; agriculture; existing residential areas.

County staff indicated that the study is scheduled to take 22 weeks from the date of contract approval, thus the study should be available to the BOCC and the public sometime in April 2007.

Brief Roadway Status Report

The following seven road segments will greatly improve traffic conditions in Estero and the surrounding community. They are either under construction or will be within the next few months. While their construction will create some congestion during the upcoming season, and to a lesser extent over the next year or two, they will greatly benefit traffic conditions in Estero in the long run.

Via Coconut Point (formerly Sandy Lane)

The central and the southern segments of this new four lane roadway between Williams Road and  a traffic roundabout south of Coconut Road and a segment of Pelican Colony Boulevard extending west over to US 41 are now open and available for use. The northern segment from Williams to Corkscrew is largely completed with work continuing at its intersection with Corkscrew Road. It will be available for use in December.

I-75 Six Laning

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to award the contract for widening I-75 to six lanes throughout the 35 mile segment between Ft. Myers and Naples in February 2007, just three months from now. The project is set for completion in late 2010, a three and one half year project. Usually a project of this scope would be treated as several separate projects, phased sequentially, taking much more time to complete. The Southwest Florida Expressway Authority continues to study the possibility of constructing additional toll lanes in the median during this same time period.

Three Oaks Parkway from Coconut Road to East Terry Street

At the end of October this new four lane road project was on the 205th day of a 630 day contract, or 32.5% of the way to completion, if done on time. As of the 14th of November the contractor had expended almost $14 million of the $28.5 million included in the contract. At present the contractor is completing the installation of box culverts and is beginning to connect them; completing drainage in Section A and pouring curb and sidewalks.

Imperial Street between Bonita Beach Road and East Terry Street

At the end of October this new four lane road project was on the 135th day of a 570 day contract, or 23.7% of the way to completion, if done on time. As of the 14th of November the contractor had expended over $1.8 million of the $12.5 million included in the contract. At present the contractor is preparing the subgrade up to Imperial Oaks Street and continues driving pilings on the north side of the Imperial River (to be completed in December); the utilities…Bonita Springs Utilities, Florida Power and Light and Embarq are beginning their work on the project. When this and the prior project are complete Estero residents will be able to travel all the way to Naples’ Radio Road on this new four lane corridor.

Three Oaks Parkway 4-Laning between Corkscrew and Alico Roads

The contract for this segment was recently awarded to Posen Construction. Posen is expected to begin construction on December 4th. When complete this segment will permit motorists to travel from Alico Road in Ft Myers to Radio Road in Naples upon a continuous 4 lane highway.

Estero Parkway Flyover between Three Oaks Parkway and Ben Hill Griffin

The County is awaiting final air-rights approval and permits from FDOT. Lee DOT expects the project to be advertised for bids on January 5th.

Corkscrew Road from Ben Hill Griffin to east of the Bella Terra development

The project has been advertised for bids and the bids are expected to be opened on December 12th. This project is being financed by a special district composed of the businesses and residential communities located along the road segment.

Roadway Landscaping Update

US 41 Between Corkscrew and Old 41 in Bonita Springs

The landscaping plan for US 41 has completed the bidding process with four bids being received. Lee DOT has recommended the low bidder for issuance of a $1.5 million contract. The Board of County Commissioners is expected to approve this contract in December. Installation of the landscaping is expected to begin about March or April and be completed by the fall of 2007.

Estero Parkway Between US 41 and Three Oaks Parkway

Now that the sales center at The Reserve at Estero has been removed and the final median opening closed the County DOT has asked the County Contracts department to bid the project. Thus we are about 6 months to installation of the additional trees and ground-cover.

Estero Fire Rescue Report 

During November the Fire District Board approved hiring MuniFinancial, Inc., in conjunction with American Homeland Solutions, to prepare a 5 Year Financial Plan for the fire district. MuniFinancial will update the plan for the next five years based on prior year actual results and any new economic factors that may be available. MuniFinancial has committed to teach EFR staff how to utilize resources and summarize data so the staff can independently prepare future financial plans.
 
This plan will include a Capital Improvement Program to assist EFR with planning for the purchase, improvement and replacement of capital assets such as apparatus, major EMS equipment, vehicles, technology, stations, and major station improvements.
The financial plan will take into consideration such things as future revenues, staffing needs, future union contracts, EMS transport, cost recovery analysis, other sources of revenue, and debt analysis.
 
This is Estero Fire Rescue's first 5 Year Financial Plan. EFR has prepared “The Extended Attack” for several years but it focuses more on operational goals and includes only a brief summary of EFR's financial projections.

The Financial Plan will focus on the financial details of how EFR will achieve its goals. The staff and Board of EFR anticipates that the plan will be a tool that management can use to make prudent decisions regarding the operation and administration of Estero Fire Rescue.

Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council, Inc.

The Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council, Inc. conducted its November 22nd meeting at its new Estero Community Park home, under the theme: “We don’t want you excited about what we’re doing; we want you swinging from the vines excited about what we’re doing!”

Long-Term Plan / Partners in the Arts / Artist Registry

Patrick Distasio, Advisory Board member and owner of the online www.artgalleryflorida.com  recommended that the Council consider adopting a long-term plan to include several features.
 
First, a Partners in the Arts program whereby businesses and organizations can enjoy membership in the Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council on a level different than that enjoyed by individual members. He maintains that the current level of membership dues can never achieve even our minimal objectives as a Council. He envisions a hierarchy of partnerships based on donor levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum, for example.
 
Second, it is time to consider an artist registry. This registry would be a way for visual and performing artists to market their talents to the community. Mr. Distasio and board member Mary Pautz were charged with taking these ideas and forming an action plan. They will report on their deliberations at the December meeting.

Estero Winter Festival of the Arts

Rick Gutierrez, publisher of Family Magazine, www.leecountyfamily.com, put together a group of influential arts people and formed the Estero Winter Festival of the Arts. Based on what the Naples wine festival does for wine, the Estero Winter Festival of the Arts would be a three-day weekend of fundraising for arts-related groups, such as ours. The Friday would be a series of dinners at homes with arts celebrities in attendance. The Saturday would be an art auction with a twist. He believes it is not right (and the Council concurs) that artists are always asked to donate their art. He intends to form a corporation to buy the art from the artists at a fair price, and then auction off the pieces for a year’s worth of ownership. The idea is not a rental program, in that at the end of the year, the winning bidder must turn in the piece and rebid for its possession. The Sunday would be a children’s version of Saturday, whereby young artists would have their art auctioned for a year.
 
Mr. Gutierrez expects that this program might not take place until 2008 or even later. He wants to make sure it is done correctly. He needs to develop criteria for distributing money to arts organizations. Again, the object of the largesse would be not individual artists, but groups which make art happen. He urges members of the Arts Estero Board to serve on his board of directors.
 
In separate action, Mr. Gutierrez offered to run full-page ads in Family Magazine for Arts in Estero 2007 in exchange for booth space. The Council agreed to the proposal.

FGCU Arts

Advisory Board member Trish Fay, of the FGCU Arts Department, encouraged Arts Estero to keep the University in our picture. She suggested that the University could accommodate meetings and other arts functions. Ms. Fay said the most overlooked cultural demographics are young adults. She reminded us that they are lively and have “a ton of energy.” She has 110 art majors who would love to exhibit and urged the Council to become an arts management group.

Estero Historical Society

President Mary Ann Weenen congratulated the Council on what we have accomplished in a short time to bring back the arts to Estero. Her reference was to the Koreshans who attracted such people as the Edisons and the Firestones to arts programs in Estero.

Grants

On a two-track approach to FGCU, the Arts Estero president approached Provost, Dr. Bonnie Yegidis, for entrees to the Office of Sponsored Research to find out what organizations exist to fund the types of projects Arts Estero might want to undertake. Secondly, board members met with Dr. Eric Strahorn who thought professors and students might be able to actually help us write grant proposals.
 
Meeting with the FGCU people was very encouraging, but the Council felt that it was not yet time for us to write goals and prepare specific budgets. We need the long-term plan to identify the work to be done and revisit the topic of grants in the future.

Art in Public Places

The Council was reminded that “Art in Public Places” most often refers to art in public buildings. The Council’s frame of reference was for public outdoor displays of art on the streets, roads, medians and Interstates.

The ideas floated were:

Decorating the grassy knolls of the I-75 and Corkscrew Road interchange with some kind of art, whether landscape, floral gardens, murals or something. Many communities around the country do this to show pride in their locale.

Decorating the north and the south gateways to Estero on US 41, not with tacky “Welcome to Estero” signs, but with some classy art feature that would suggest to drivers that they were now entering an especially nice place.

Board members met with Commissioner Ray Judah who was supportive of the idea and put us into contact with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Lee County DOT. Officials of both these entities encouraged the Council to proceed with the caveats that:

• I-75 was going to be widened and that the Corkscrew Road interchange might once more be torn up for further improvement.
• Ditto the north end of US 41, whereas the south part of 41 bordering Bonita Springs, might be worth considering now.

The board felt that we had a lot on our short–range agenda that will take up the lion’s share of our time. Yet they saw no harm in investigating further. Mary Ann Weenen and Marcy Aizenstadt will determine what the Council can do with respect to art in public places within specific time frames.

Arts in Estero 2007

Following on the highly successful April 2006 program, the grand event of the 2007 year

will be Arts in Estero, February 17, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Estero
Community Park.

Invited to perform on the outdoor stage are: Gulf Coast Symphony Brass Quartet, Singer Alexandrea Tocco, “Inspiration” pieces based on Romeo and Juliet, Spirit of the Gulf, Singer Angel Kornuc, FGCU Music Department, Pianist Crawford Wiley, Humorist/Author Barbara Metcalfe, Estero River Cloggers, and members of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.
 
The Estero High School Art Department and the Estero Art League will mount displays of drawings and models. Portrait artist Celeste Borah will once again do a portrait of a raffle winner and other demonstrations will include printmaking and calligraphy arts.
 
Information tables have been assigned to the Alliance for the Arts of Lee County, the Art District at Rapallo, the Bach Ensemble, the Estero High School Band Boosters, the Estero Historical Society, the Estero Civic Association, the Estero Art League, Estero Fire and Rescue, Family Magazine, Friends of South Country Regional Library, Inc., The Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council, Inc., the Gulfshore Playhouse, Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, Koreshan State Park, College of Life Foundation, Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Spirit of the Gulf, FGCU Art and Music Departments, School House Theater and Southwest Florida Craft Guild.
 
A juried fine arts show will be judged by a panel of three experts. Artists interested in participating should call Bev MacNellis at 498-0678 for information. Ads for the program and advertising rates and exhibitor applications are also available at that number.
 
An invitation-only Afterglow party immediately afterwards will be held for Performers, Advisory Board, and other VIPs.
 
As of the November meeting, the estimated budget for the event will probably top $7,900. Arts Estero is actively seeking sponsorships and donations.
 
The next meeting of the Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council, Inc., Board of Directors will be held at Estero Community Park, Wednesday, December 27 at 10:00 a.m.