Estero Community Planning Panel

Minutes of Public Meeting #96 - February 11. 2008
Estero Community Park, Estero, Florida
 
Panel Members Present: Neal Noethlich, Chairman; Greg Toth, Estero Development Community, Jack Lienesch, Estero Civic Association; John Goodrich, Estero Council of Community Leaders. Recording Secretary: Jim Ramsburg, ECCL; Treasurer: Beverly MacNellis, ECCL.  Absent: Lin Welch, Estero Chamber of Commerce; Dan DeLisi, Estero Development Community.
 
Noethlich called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

Public Participation:

Fourteen participants were present including eight 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/EDRC/ECA and Estero Fire Rescue. A paid advertising notice of the meeting was placed in the Bonita Banner of February 9th. Notices of the meeting were posted in the South Regional Library, Colonial Bank, Estero Community Park and Realty World of Estero.

Secretary's Report:

Ramsburg distributed minutes of the January meeting.  Toth: Motion to accept minutes.  Lienesch: Second.  Report accepted unanimously. 

Treasurer's Report:

MacNellis reported a current balance of $1,765.25 in the Community Planning Panel account on deposit at Colonial Bank in Estero. Toth: Motion to accept   Lienesch: Second.  Report accepted unanimously.  Lienesch reported that he and Noethlich have solicited ideas for continued Panel funding. The first was to seek donations. Second was to establish training sessions for developers regarding Estero specific provisions in the Lee County Land Development Code. Third was to charge developers for subsequent appearances beyond initial presentations. He added that a suggestion was made to approach Lee County for funding. Toth commented that the county's initial funding of $25,000 was made six years earlier and has been an excellent investment in both results and saving county staff's time and effort. Goodrich agreed to confer with the county regarding the possibilities.

Panel Meeting Dates:

DeLisi's anticipated absence on second Mondays of the month prompted discussion of changing meeting dates to accommodate his schedule.  The third Monday of each month was proposed as the alternative.  It will be proposed and discussed in the March meeting.  A time shift from 6 to 5 pm was also discussed and tabled.

Developer Presentations:

No developer presentations were scheduled. Noethlich reported that plans would be presented at the coming EDRC meeting for proposed takings from I-75 that would reduce the buffer between the freeway and Germain Arena, BJ Golf Carts and Estero community Villagio.  He added that the reduction may offer possibilities for improved landscaping at the I-75/Corkscrew Road interchange. The plan as it affects Villagio will be discussed at the March EDRC meeting.

Signage Issues:

Noethlich addressed the issue of signage specific to the Estero Community Planning area as specified in Chapter 33, Sections 381, 382, 383, 384 and 385 of the Lee County Land Development Code, defining each section. He explained that infractions are handled by Lee County code enforcement staff. He pointed out that plastic, backlit signs with changeable messages are against code. He recommended a meeting with county staff to learn what, if any, loopholes exist in the code that allow these and other prohibited signs from existing.  He also suggested a public workshop to further discuss the issue.

He said the objective is to put all signage until the control of the EDRC.  Toth expressed his annoyance with several billboards that have been erected in Estero and said action should be taken to prevent more. An effort will be made to obtain copies of actual billboard leases to determine if they can be terminated.

Establishments Serving Alcohol:

Group III restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol in Estero.  With the proximity of FGCU close by, Noethlich asked when a restaurant in reality becomes a bar that might create a public nuisance or traffic hazards.  He recommended further discussion of the issue.

David Graham Award:

Lienesch reported a meeting has been scheduled between representatives of the Panel and EDRC to consider candidates for the 2008 award.

Membership:

Noethlich announced that he required a three month leave of absence from Panel duties.  Lienesch was appointed acting chair for the period.  He recommended Tom O'Dea from the EDRC temporarily take Lienesch's place on the Panel.
 
Toth: Motion to adjourn. Lienesch: Second. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.  
 
NEXT MEETING: 6:00 PM, MONDAY, MARCH 10TH, ESTERO COMMUNITY PARK.