Page	Subject
1	Calendar
2	Estero Community Website
2	Estero’s Impact on the Sept. 5th Election
3	Lee County 2006-07 Budget and Estero
4	Estero Fire Rescue Budget Approved
4	Estero’s Housing Permit Growth Coming Back
5	Zoning Matters
5	Camargo 10 North
5	Planning Eastern Estero as Part of the Density Reduction Groundwater Resource (DRGR) Area
7	Corkscrew Road Mining Update
7	Mining, Traffic and Habitat in Eastern Estero
8	Joint Bonita Springs – Estero Community Workshop
8	Estero Arts Council Meeting Report
9	Celebration of the “Arts in Estero 2007”

Estero Community Website

Every day about 150 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)

www.esterofl.org

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

Estero’s Impact on the Sept. 5th Election

Usually Primary Elections are not of great significance, but that was not the case this year. Two of the five County Commission races were decided in this election, and with Estero being in unincorporated Lee County that is critical to our future. During the campaign candidates Mann, Coy and Bigelow took positions very much in alignment with stances that the ECCL and other Estero community organizations had espoused. Mann was elected in this election. Bigelow won the Republican primary but still faces an unaffiliated candidate in the November General Election.

The following is a brief summary of the voting results in these races in Estero:

Turnout

In the five precincts that are totally included in Estero, 20% of all registered voters cast ballots as compared to 17.6% countywide. That percentage was achieved because the 26.8% of the 4,231 voters in Precinct 132, the Brooks and the communities between the Brooks and Corkscrew Road and between US 41 and I-75, cast votes in this election. Only 15.1% of the voters cast ballots in the other three precincts where a minority of the voters are not Estero residents (Precincts 128, 131 and 156)

Bigelow St. Cerny Race

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.

Coy Hall Race

Andy Coy was supported by 67% of the voters in the five exclusively Estero precincts and 55% of the voters in the partially Estero precincts. Although Andy lost this election by 3,672 votes he received 1,036 more votes in all eight Estero precincts than Ms. Hall, 955 of them in the five exclusively Estero precincts.

Mann Mathisen Race

Frank Mann was supported by 80% of the voters in the five exclusively Estero precincts and 63% of the voters in the partially Estero precincts. Countywide Mann received 69% of the vote. Our five exclusively Estero precincts provide Mann with 8.4% of his margin of victory although those precincts contain only 4.6 % of all Lee County registered voters.

Congratulations to all of you who help to have Estero’s voice heard in this election. Your participation will help to ensure that the County Commissioners will pay close attention to Estero’s needs and concerns.

Lee County 2006-07 Budget and Estero

On September 21st the Board of County Commissioners approved the 2006-07 budget for the County that will result in an 11.2% property tax rate reduction next year. The approved budget also extended the Roadway Construction Loan Program started last year. The BOCC allocated an additional $20 million to the loan program and provided $10 of general funds for use on roads as well, a first for Lee County. Until last year County roads had been financed exclusively with gas taxes and road impact fees.

The good news for Estero is that this program will permit the Estero Parkway Flyover, from Three Oaks Parkway to Ben Hill Griffin, to be bid later this year with completion expected in early 2008. This improvement is expected to provide substantial relief for the increasing traffic congestion around the Corkscrew I-75 Interchange.

After considerable debate the BOCC decided to support the existing tax rate for the Conservation 2020 program thus providing $43 million for the purchase of environmentally sensitive lands this year. This could be helpful in preserving some of the Density Reduction Groundwater Resource (DRGR) land in eastern Estero.

Estero Fire Rescue Budget Approved

During September the Estero Fire/ Rescue Commissioners approved the 2006/2007 Budget for the district. There will be no increase in the current tax rate of 2.00 mills.

Some of the General Fund expenditures budgeted for 2006-07 include the addition of three firefighters to improve the effectiveness of emergency response and potentially decrease the District’s ISO ratings, which ultimately will result in lower insurance rates for most Estero residents. In addition mobile computers, mobile firehouse software and a general upgrade of several technical systems were also approved. With three new firehouses in the last three years, the District must update its systems to accommodate this growth.

The operating reserve fund was increased by 19% to $1,474,738; new reserve funds were established for Self Insurance ($300,000), Capital Improvement ($300,000), and another $800,000 was added to reserves for other programs. The district had less then $100,000 in reserve as recently as 2004. In the new budget Estero Fire/Rescue will have over $2,000,000 in their reserve accounts, an amount that is consistent with the standards approved by the public accounting profession.

Estero’s Housing Permit Growth Coming Back

Housing units permitted in Estero during June, July and August returned to more normal levels after three of the year’s first four months being among the lowest on record since 2000. In March 404 housing units were permitted largely due to the permitting of 132 units in Rapallo and 207 units being permitted in the Residences of Coconut Point.

The following table shows how the first eight months of 2006 compares with the same period during the prior six years:

Year	Total Four Months   Housing Units	Building Value of Units	Average Building Value Per Unit	Percentage of Single Family Units
2000	1,324	$185,979,596	$140,468	43.7
2001	1,620	$247,128,734	$152,549	45.2
2002	995	$170,674,374	$171,532	58.0
2003	1,130	$173,165,820	$153,244	41.4
2004	1,155	$252,025,813	$218,204	63.8
2005	1,924	$402,498,096	$209,199	52.1
2006	1,086	$270,683,985	$249,249	30.5

As the above table shows, the first eight months of 2006 ranks next to last in the number of permitted housing units but tops in average building value during this seven year period in spite of having the smallest percentage (30.5%) of single family homes.

Year to Date Commercial Building Value Continues Highest on Record

The value of commercial buildings permitted in Estero during the first eight months of 2006 totaled $163 million. The next highest commercial permit total, $73.1 million, was in 2000, when the Hyatt Coconut Point Resort was permitted.

The major projects that contributed to the 2006 total are:

• About $75 million in the Coconut Point Town Center;

• $47.5 million for the Lowe’s store in the Estero Town Commons

• over $10 million in Phase 5 of the Miromar Outlets Center

• nearly $3 million for an office building 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

• $560,000 for an Empire Builders office building 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.

Zoning Matters

Camargo 10 North

On September 11th Shellie Johnson, Barraco & Associates, publicly committed the owners and developers of Camargo 10 North to a set of Appearance Standards that had earlier been reviewed and approved by the ECPP. The presentation was in response to a ruling by the Lee County Law Department that the Standards could not be added to the zoning for the property when it was approved by the BOCC on August 21st. The Lee County attorney stated that they could not be added because they had not been presented to the Hearing Examiner when she heard the case a few months ago.

ECPP member Greg Toth raised a question about the roof requirements on page 4 of the Appearance Standards that says, “Parapets will be used to conceal roof top equipment and flat roofs where required”. He pointed out that it is the Estero policy to avoid flat roofs. Ms. Johnson promised to convey this to the developer.

Planning Eastern Estero as Part of the Density Reduction Groundwater Resource (DRGR) Area

Background

Almost all of the land in Estero east of I-75 is in the DRGR area. This area was designated as DRGR in the late 1980’s in order to protect the county from overpopulation and to ensure an adequate water supply for the ever-growing Lee County population.

The DRGR is important to all the residents of southwest Florida because:

• It is a major source of drinking water supply

• It is a floway that brings rainwater from the interior into Estero Bay in an environmentally effective way

• It is home to vast wetlands that provide habitat for many of Florida’s birds and animals

• It provides habitat for many listed wildlife species, some of which are threatened with extinction

• It was designated as a low density area in the late 1980’s by the County and the State because of the extensive high density areas already zoned for housing in Lee County, particularly in Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres

• Unplanned development of the area could threaten the Estero and Bonita Springs communities west of I-75 with flooding because our drainage systems were not designed to handle major increases in storm water runoff from the area.

• It’s zoning, allowing both mining and low density residential throughout the entire 150 square miles of the DRGR, is inherently incompatible.

Recent Preservation Efforts

On August 15th the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) listened to testimony from twelve representatives of the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL), southwest Florida’s leading environmental organizations and residents of eastern Estero most impacted by the mining activities along Corkscrew Road. In response the BOCC voted unanimously to direct County staff to hire a consultant to complete a comprehensive summary and map and report back to them in no more than 6 months. County Manager Don Stillwell agreed to develop a proposal responsive to the Board’s direction and present it to the Board for their approval within a month.

On September 8th Manager Stilwell responded to the BOCC with a memorandum indicating that:

• He had initiated “a nationwide search for an outside, unbiased expert – in environmental sciences, systems ecology, or a similar discipline…”

• Two staff members were researching various sources to identify such potential experts,

• Once they have identified and screened the experts the “County Manager and his designees will interview finalists and make a selection”

• The preliminary charge will be to:

  • “Enumerate the commonalities and consistencies in the studies

  • Enumerate the differences or inconsistencies

  • Give an indication of which data is most current, and which is outdated

  • Provide an objective, professional opinion on the studies’ conclusions and, hopefully, provide a singular conclusion.”

• “The hope is to have the expert on board within a month and then project a six-month study, with results in spring 2007.”

• “We will keep you appraised throughout the process”

The ECCL circulated Manager Stilwell’s memorandum to all those who testified and they decided to write Mr. Stilwell to seek a meeting to discuss his plans for the study. Their goals in seeking such a meeting are:

• To discuss adding some opportunities for public input and involvement in the following phases of the work:

  • Defining the scope of work for the project

  • Selecting the consultant for the project

  • Reviewing and commenting on the project as it progresses.

• Ensuring that important gaps in the information are filled so that a truly comprehensive map of the sensitive areas within the DRGR can be developed. The group believes these gaps can readily be filled by county staff or the consultant within the time constraints imposed upon the study.

As this edition of the EDR goes to press, Manager Stilwell would not have had time to respond to this initiative.

Corkscrew Road Mining Update

A Punta Gorda based developer has joined a growing list of landowners planning to develop new industrial rock and fill mining operations along east Corkscrew Road. Corkscrew residents in the vicinity of Lazy-D Farms Road (10 miles east of I-75) recently received invitations to attend a preview presentation of “Cypress Bay”, a 1,152 acre “residential development for estate living”. An estimated 50-75 people attended the invitation-only event.

Many residents hoped to meet a community-conscious developer and learn about plans for a thoughtfully designed residential development that the existing community could embrace and support. The principal planner presented attractive artist renderings of a lakefront community and explained how they intend to solve flooding problems for residents in the surrounding area. But it soon became clear that developers were, in fact, proposing yet another mine on Corkscrew Road. Nearly every resident responded by voicing their opposition to the impacts the new mine would bring. The developer was strongly encouraged to consider development alternatives which would exclude mining as a land use.

“Cypress Bay” is the latest in the list of landowners applying for zoning to mine fill dirt and limerock along Corkscrew Road, and more are on the near horizon. A map showing permitted mines, mines pending rezoning, and planned mining operations in southeast Lee County is available at www.corkscrewroad.org.

Rezoning for the first of these proposed new mines is scheduled to be heard by the Lee County Hearing Examiner on November 8th. Estero residents concerned about impacts of increased mining on Corkscrew Road are encouraged to participate in a pre-hearing strategy meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, October 30th at the South County Regional Library on Three Oaks Blvd. Please visit the website above for updates and more information.

Mining, Traffic and Habitat in Eastern Estero

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 to 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.”

Joint Bonita Springs – Estero Community Workshop

On September 28th Members of the Bonita Springs City Council and City Manager Gary Price participated in a four hour workshop with eight representatives of the Estero Council of Community Leaders, Estero Community Planning Panel and the Estero Civic Association. The purpose of the workshop was to identify issues of common interest that would benefit from joint action by the neighboring communities. The workshop was facilitated by Jim Stansbury, a professional mediator from Bradenton.

After the introductions had been completed, the participants identified a list of 19 issues that impacted both communities. Then Mr. Stansbury had the participants vote to narrow the list to three that might produce positive results over the next year or two. Using this process the participants selected the following three issues:

• The extension of Sandy Lane (Via Coconut Point) from Pelican Colony Boulevard to Old 41 in Bonita Springs,

• Lobbying our State Legislative Delegation and our County Commissions on issues vital to south Lee County, and

• Obtaining Emergency Medical Services and ultimately a hospital for south Lee County.

The other sixteen issues were not dismissed but rather retained for later consideration. After the participants had concluded their discussion but before they had made any decisions, the public was invited to comment.

The workshop was concluded with an assessment of its usefulness by the participants. All believed that it had been a worthwhile effort and supported more such meetings in the future. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, October 27th at the Bonita Springs City Hall.

In the meantime each community’s representatives will meet to further assess the meeting and suggest a plan for moving ahead on each of the three key issues identified at the workshop.

Estero Arts Council Meeting Report

The September 27th meeting of the Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council, Inc. was the first meeting to which the public and the press were invited.

The Council heard a presentation from Interfaith Care Givers of South Lee County. They had an idea to engage artists to design and decorate chairs to be auctioned off at what they referred to as a "Chair-ity" Event. The Council will form an ad-hoc committee to address the legal means by which Arts Estero can help the Interfaith Caregivers with their "Chair-ity" Event. This ad hoc committee will discuss the procedure and ramifications involved with helping other organizations promote their fund raising events.

The Council decided to pursue tax-exempt status by hiring an attorney competent in tax matters to seek IRS recognition of non-profit and tax exempt status for the entity.

Artist Joyce Waddell Bailey and Coconut Point marketing director Diane Ganz were appointed to the Council’s Advisory Board.

A logo for the organization was adopted by the Council.

Since the public will be welcome at all Board meetings the Council thought it wise to allow them to visualize the Council’s activities. Jim Bean of Fine Art Imaging volunteered to do power point presentations for the Council’s monthly board and annual meetings.

”Arts Estero”, the popular name for the Council, will participate in WGCU's fall pledge campaign and in WGCU's January 21 Arts Edition Live, an all-day celebration of artists and performers at the station.

The Arts Estero website is expected to go live around the middle of October.

The Council expects to have a membership brochure available by next meeting. The plan is to distribute them at all community meetings etc. so that the membership campaign can go into high gear in soliciting members. At the moment, the Council is gathering members via a temporary form and even formlessly. The dues structure is: $5 students, $15 individual, $25 family and $100 lifetime. Prospective members can send checks to GECAC, Box 103, Estero, FL 33928.

Celebration of the “Arts in Estero 2007”

The Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council, more commonly called “Arts Estero” is planning to celebrate “Arts in Estero 2007” at the new Estero Community Park on Saturday, February 17, 2007.

Arts Estero plans to build upon the success or “Arts in Estero 2006” by planning a day long celebration full of a wide variety of arts activities for all who attend. Starting at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day there will be all types of displays to interest everyone from the art lover to the grease monkey. Live entertainment on the stage of the Park’s outdoor amphitheater overlooking its large central lawn starts at 10:00 a.m. and will continue through to 4 p.m. Persons attending will need to bring lawn chairs for this part of the program. Arts organizations of every type in Estero and the surrounding area are invited to participate in several ways. They can provide a table to distribute information about their organization; a booth to promote their fundraising activities; an on-stage performance to demonstrate their talent and attract new supporters; a food or drink booth which could be a money raiser; entertain the audience as walk-about performers during intermission and finally demonstrating an art process. In addition the Council is looking for graphic artists who would be interested in having a booth to sell their work. Activities will be distributed throughout the park. What a great way to see and get to know this great addition to Estero. Interested artists and organizations should contact Bev MacNellis at 239-498-0678 or email at beverlyann@comcast.net.