Minutes of
Public Meeting # 72

February 13. 2006
Marsh Landing Clubhouse, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present

Neal Noethlich, Chairman; Don Eslick, Estero Council of Community Leaders; Greg Toth , Estero Development Community;. Carl Barraco, Estero Chamber of Commerce; Dan DeLisi, Estero Development Community, Mike Cato, Estero Fire Rescue; Jack Lienesch, Estero Civic Association. Treasurer: Fran Wagner, ECA. Recording Secretary: Jim Ramsburg, ECCL.

Noethlich called the meeting to order at 6:08 PM.

Public Participation

Thirty-two participants were present including 23 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, news-press.com and on the esterofl.org Web site of the ECCL/ECPP/ECA/EDRC and Estero Fire Rescue. A paid advertising notice of the meeting was placed in the Bonita Banner of February 8. Meeting notices were posted in So Regional Library, Colonial Bank and the Estero office of Realty World.

Treasurer's Report

Wagner reported a current balance of $7,068.56 in the Community Planning Panel account on deposit at the Colonial Bank in Estero. Eslick: Motion to accept Toth: Second. Report accepted unanimously.

Secretary's Report

Noethlich distributed minutes of the January meeting. Toth: Motion to accept minutes as amended. DeLisi: Second. Minutes accepted unanimously.

Enclave at Rapallo Presentation

Jim Wallace, developer of Rapallo RPD, conducted an informational presentation relative to an administrative amendment proposed for The Enclave at Rapallo, a 14 acre development of nine buildings, each containing ten residential units. The amendment asks that the original two acre lake proposed for the property be changed to six lakes totaling two acres. Concerns were raised by residents of The Brooks about any drainage problems leading to potential flooding in the event of heavy storms. Wallace assured them that Rapallo will allow for twice the water retention originally specified by Lee County in the project's development order. Wallace offered to walk the property with representatives of The Brooks. He also suggested that residents' concerns be taken to The Brooks' Community Development District and to the Hole Montes engineering firm which designed The Brooks' water retention and discharge system for review and discussion.

ECPP Awards Program Status

Barraco reported meeting with Bill Prysi of the Estero Design Review Committee and Tina Matte of the development community in which it was decided that the ECPP and EDRC each have two representatives on a committee to select winners of an annual award to outstanding developments in the Estero Community Planning Area. Barraco: Motion ECPP choose two representatives and EDRC select two representatives to establish criteria for David Graham Award for Excellence in Planning, Design and Construction. Panel discussed possibility of second award(s) for other projects of distinction. Barraco Amendment: All projects nominated for Graham Award be cited for distinction. Lienesch: Second. Motion passed unanimously. The EDRC will be asked to select two representatives to the awards committee and the committee will make further suggestions to the ECPP.

ECPP Participants on Awards Committee: Noethlich: Nomination of Barraco and Lienesch to represent ECPP on committee. Eslick: Second. Nomination passed unanimously.

Estero Amendments to Lee County Land Development Code (LDC Chap 33)

Noethlich tabled discussion until the March meeting.

Panel Composition and Terms of Service

An Estero resident in attendance asked for a definition of the ECPP's mission, its composition, raised the possibility of term limits and questioned if the individual Panel members should be appointed by Lee County. DeLisi commented that the Panel is designed to represent all interests in Estero and should not depend upon political appointment. Noethlich added that the original goal of the Panel is public involvement and that the county's legal department did not want it designed to be an official advisory board. It is therefore not defined as an advisory board but as a facilitator allowing public access to development plans, as well as providing the county with an overall vision and suggestions regarding Estero specific regulations for inclusion into the Estero Community Plan and Lee County Land Development Code. Eslick said that the ECPP's most important contribution is allowing the public to learn about planned developments before they enter the zoning process. Noethlich re-emphasized that the Panel's chief function is to facilitate public access to the zoning procedure and development order process of individual projects as they are proposed.

Election of Chair & Vice Chair for 2006

Toth: Nomination of Noethlich and Eslick to continue. DeLisi commented that all future appointments should be residents of Estero. DeLisi: Second. Nominations carried unanimously.

EDRC January Meeting

EDRC member Al O'Donnell reported items recently discussed by committee. Noethlich added that the report was indicative of the public's obtaining further access to project proposals as they proceed to the development order stage and how developers are cooperating with the public panels created in Estero.

Toth: Motion to adjourn. Lienesch: Second. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.