Estero Community Planning Panel

Minutes of Public Meeting #83 - December 14. 2006
Estero Community Park, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present:

Neal Noethlich, Chairman; Don Eslick, Estero Council of Community Leaders; Greg Toth , Estero Development Community, Jack Lienesch, Estero Civic Association. Recording Secretary: Jim Ramsburg, ECCL.  Absent:  Dan DeLisi, Estero Development Community, Lin Welch, Estero Chamber of Commerce. Treasurer: Fran Wagner, ECA.  
 
Noethlich called the meeting to order at 6:05.

Public Participation:

Twenty-three participants were present including 18 members of the general public.  Ramsburg reported that public notices of the meeting were published in the Fort Myers News-Press, the Bonita Daily News and the Bonita Banner.  Notices were posted on the Internet in the Estero Development Report and on the Web sites of the ECCL/ECPP/ECA/EDRC and Estero Fire Rescue.  A paid advertising notice of the meeting was placed in the Bonita Banner of December 6th.  Notices of the meeting were posted in the South Regional Library, Colonial Bank and the Estero office of Realty World.

Treasurer's Report:

In Wagner's absence Noethlich reported a December 14th balance of $5,251.57 in the Community Planning Panel account on deposit at Colonial Bank in Estero. Eslick: Motion to accept   Toth: Second.  Report accepted unanimously.

Secretary's Report:

Noethlich distributed minutes of the November meeting.  Eslick: Motion to accept minutes. Lienesch: Second.  Report accepted unanimously. 

Signage Presentation - Estero Methodist Church:

Rev. Rebecca Smith presented preliminary plans for a monument sign to identify location and events at Estero Methodist Church proposed for the east side of US 41 between Lord's Way and Broadway. Toth identified a problem in the proposal's plan for neon or incandescent back lighting, common to fast food and convenience stores and prohibited in Estero.  Members of the Panel called attention to the Estero Community Plan's specification for exterior lighting of signage. Toth further suggested that the sign be capped to limit rain and weather damage to the proposed sign. Noethlich directed Rev. Smith to the Estero specific signage guidelines in the Lee County Development Code.  Rev. Smith thanked the Panel for its recommendations at this early stage and indicated that the church would return with revised plans at a later date. 

Developer Presentation - Chabad Synagogue and Jewish Center:

Wayne Minor of Minor & Associates and Rabbi Mendy Greenberg presented several preliminary plans for a 2.25 acre site located on the north side of Coconut Road between the residential developments of Meadow Brook and El Dorado Acres.  Several possibilities were presented for a 15,000 square-foot structure to be used for religious and cultural functions serving the Jewish and general population of south Lee County.  The plan requires a change in the site's zoning from Residential to Religious Center.  Minor and Rabbi Greenberg stated that they wished to establish contact and obtain opinions from the Panel both before and during their working with county staff. The Panel echoed Noethlich's opinion that Estero provides an excellent location between Ft Myers and Naples for the center and cautioned Rabbi Greenberg to plan for a large enough structure to accommodate future growth.

David Graham Award for Excellence in Development:

Lienesch presented drafts of solicitation and nomination forms for  the first planned award.  Noethlich recommended that the process be expedited so the award can be presented by early spring.

Mixed Use Development Proposals:

Noethlich and Eslick updated the Panel on Lee County zoning amendments allowing true mixed-use development allowing commercial and residential occupancy within the same structures.  Toth reported that Simon Development executive Jerry Kosene has indicted an interest in creating more true mixed-use buildings on the west side of Coconut Point Town Center fronting on US 41- replacing commercial outlots originally planned for the parcels. Toth: Motion to send a letter to Kosene encouraging this concept.  Lienesch: Second.  Motion passed unanimously.

Panel Assignments:

Noethlich reported that Welch has accepted assignment to become the Panel's liaison with the Estero Design Review Committee and asked Toth to become the Panel's signage specialist.
 
Toth: Motion to adjourn.  Lienesch: Second.  Motion passed unanimously.   Meeting adjourned at 7:45PM.

NEXT MEETING: 6:00 PM, MONDAY, JAN. 8, ESTERO COMMUNITY PARK.