Estero Community Planning Panel

Minutes of Public Meeting #84

January 8, 2007

Estero Community Park, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present:, ECPP Chairman Neal Noethlich, ECCL; Vice Chairman Jack Lienesch,  Estero Civic Association; Don Eslick, Estero Council of Community Leaders; Lin Welch, Estero Chamber of Commerce;  Greg Toth , Estero Development Community; Dan Delisi, Estero Development Community; Frann Wagner Treasurer, ECA; Recording Secretary Bill Brown, ECCL.

Public Participation: Twenty-nine participants were present including 15 members of the general public. Brown reported that there were display ads in the Bonita Banner on January 3rd. The notice was in the Estero section of the News-Press Web page, and the joint Web Page – EsteroFL.Org. It was in the Banner Briefly Column on January 6th. The notice was posted in the Library, Realty World and the Wachovia and Colonial Banks, and The Estero Community Park.
Secretary’s Report: Toth: Motion to accept July 10th Meeting Minutes. :  Second. Lienesch Minutes accepted unanimously. 

Treasurers Report:   January 8 balance: $5,104.57

PRESENTATION: Proposed Midtown Estero West MPD

@ S.W. Corner, C.S. Rd & Three Oaks.

Presented by Garrett Bender, Terri Gevinson, Peter Pellerito, & Eric Bender, Ascot Development and DanDelisi of Delisi Fitzgerald. The Midtown Estero is being developed on a 47 acre parcel, with 38 acres dedicated to residential development, and 9 acres proposed for commercial. The project proposes 304 multi-family units (including 75 bonus density units), and 90,000 square feet of commercial development. The project is being designed to include the possibility of additional residential units above the commercial uses, but that is not part of this request. Delisi explained that the proposed project is located on property that is 2/3rds urban and 1/3rd suburban on the Lee County Land Use map. Preserve land is provided on both sides of the Estero River that goes through the land. Noethlich and Lienesch inquired about the Bonus Density that is being requested. Delisi said that if the County grants this request it will provide approximately $1,017,181 for the County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Bender indicated that if the County denies the Bonus Density request, they will come back with revised plans that will include workforce housing south of the Estero River and more intense commercial use north of the River. Toth expressed disappointment that they had backed off the mixed use proposed originally. Delisi replied that they still would like to have mixed use, but they had problems with the County Planning staff on it. Toth and Noethlich raised questions on the schedule of uses. Noethlich said that they would confer further with the developer on the following uses: animals, bar or cocktail lounge, building material sales, drive facility, and flea market. Noethlich summed up by saying we do not want a big box on this corner and this proposal provides an opportunity to avoid a Big Box. We  like the idea of less commercial and more residential with possible mixed use on this busy corner. If some affordable housing can be generated in Estero or nearby as a result of this project that will be good. Noethlich said he intends to testify at the hearings in support of these positions.

ECCP:

Awards/Recognition Program Status: Noethlich said a luncheon is scheduled with Prysi Friday to get further agreement utilizing the forms presented to the Panel by Lienesch.

Mixed Use: Covered above.

Workforce Housing: Delisi suggested the County owns land (not 20/20) that it could use for low-income and workforce housing. He said the county has rejected approximately $5,000,000 in Bonus Density payments that it could have used for this purpose. Bonita Springs is planning using a new formula based on the cost of land. Eslick attended the Conference 2007 at FGCU where they discussed Affordable Housing and pointed to successful programs in Sarasota and Collier County. He suggested that representatives of the Panel meet with the county Planning staff to determine what amendments the Panel should propose to make the program workable. Toth has asked the Planning Staff to compile information on where the Bonus Density money is coming from and where it is going.

Status Report on Estero 5 yr Planning Update: Delisi reported that the Planning Subcommittee on the Five Year Plan Update had met before the meeting and had agreed to contract potential consulting firms and asked them to draft proposals which will give the Panel the information it needs to convince the County Commission that the Panel requires $50,000 to do the 5 year update.

Estero Design Review Committee: At the January 10th meeting the Estero United Methodist Church will present their revised plans for their Thrift-shop and sign in front on US41 that follow the suggestions made by the Panel.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING: 6 PM, MONDAY, February 12th, ESTERO COMMUNITY PARK