Minutes of
Public Meeting # 66

August 8, 2005
Marsh Landing Clubhouse, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present

Don Eslick, Vice Chairman, Estero Council of Community Leaders; Greg Toth, Estero Development Community; Mike Cato, Estero Fire & Rescue; Thomas M. Beard, San Carlos Fire & Rescue, Carl A, Barraco, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Dan DeLisi, Estero Development Community, Jack Lienesch, Estero Civic Association. Treasurer: Frann Wagner, Estero Civic Association. Recording Secretary: Bill Brown, ECCL.

In the absence of Noethlich, Eslick called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

Public Participants

Thirty-two participants were present including about 15 members of the general public. Brown reported that public notices of the meeting were published in the Bonita Banner and the South Lee Messenger. Notices were posted on the Internet in the Estero Development Report and on the Website of Estero Fire Rescue and the new joint Web Page –www.esterofl.org. A paid advertising notice of the meeting was placed in the Bonita Banner of July 6. Notices of the meeting were posted in the South County Regional Library, the Wachovia and Colonial Banks and the Estero office of Realty World.

Approval of Minutes for July 11, 2005 Meeting: The Minutes were approved upon the motion of Jack Lienesch and second of Greg Toth.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Frann Wagner reported that as of August 8th the Panel had a balance of $7,480.28. The Treasurer’s Report was approved on the motion of Greg Toth and second of Jack Lienesch.

Developer Presentations/
Public Discussion

Estero 4.2 CPD

US 41 north of Broadway (in front of Breckenridge):

Bob Thinnes, AICP, Q Grady Minor reported he had met with the county since his last appearance on this project before the Panel and had made the following changes: The commercial building has been moved to the front of the property just behind a retention pond fronting US 41 with parking in the rear. A “temporary” right in/right out entrance has been added off of US 41 for use until a future parcel interconnect becomes available to the south. A pedestrian connection with Breckenridge has been added. Carl Barraco stressed the importance of having landscaping across the entire US 41 frontage. Eslick asked that the Panel be furnished with the schedule of uses when it becomes available and suggestions on the uses will then be made by the Panel. Thinnes agreed.

Estero 30

Meritage Homes plans to build “Estero 30” on the east side of US 41 north of Broadway with a back entrance off Broadway just west of the railroad tracks. Tony Persichilli, division president of Meritage Homes, reported that they have revised their proposal to eliminate the commercial development in front of the residential and make Estero 30 a totally residential project. Somewhat higher density is required in order to make up for the loss of value resulting from the elimination of the commercial development. Elimination of the commercial development fronting US 41 had been suggested by the panel when the developer last appeared before the ECPP. Persichilli indicated that they will meet again with the Cypress Bend residents to address their concerns with buffering, etc.. Toth expressed his appreciation for the elimination of the commercial development. DeLisi questioned the purchase of additional density instead of providing low income housing on the site. Eslick suggested landscaping the US 41 side of the property to hide the rear of the buildings along that thoroughfare and having them all be the same height. Eslick requested that a copy of their meeting report to the county be sent to each member of the Panel.

Cypress Shadows RPD

Cypress Shadows RPD located on Corkscrew Road west of Bella Terra and east of Wildcat Run. Mike Roeder, planning consultant to the developer, told the Panel that they have abandoned plans to use blasting and have reduced the height of buildings from 5 stories to 4 stories in response to concerns expressed by the Panel when they first appeared. Ray Gonzalez, an engineer with Banks Engineering, presented plans for a concrete wall and landscaping to make certain a golf maintenance building will not be visible from Corkscrew. The Panel asked questions to clarify the need for the 18 deviations requested. In response to a question by Lienesch on Deviation 11 on height of buildings near the property line, Gonzalez said that neighboring Bella Terra has a recreation center at that point so the higher building would not be a problem. On Deviation 7 eliminating the requirement for a second entrance Gonzalez said there will be an emergency entrance through the road leading to the golf maintenance building. Tony Palermo, the County Planner assigned to this project, indicated that the developer had worked with the Water District to satisfy their concerns that resulted in sufficient changes to overcome the County’s objections.

ECPP

Comments by Dan DeLisi on the Currently Proposed Estero LDC Amendments. DeLisi reported that he had made numerous changes in the proposed third-round of Estero LDC amendments to satisfy the County, but still had no assurance that they will reviewed at the September meetings of the reviewing committees. It was agreed that either Noethlich or Eslick will e-mail the County Attorney, David Owen to ask if the Estero Amendments will be on the agenda of these committees in September.

Continue Discussion of Need/Feasibility for Future Estero Plan Amendment

Toth suggested the need for a Mixed Use authorization provision. The Panel voted to approve draft use of the Mixed Use provision included in the Caloosahatchee Shores Community Plan. Dan DeLisi agreed to prepare the draft amendment to be submitted to the County for discussion.