Estero Community Planning Panel

Minutes of Public Meeting #86 - March 12. 2007
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, Lin Welch, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Dan DeLisi, Estero Development Community.  Recording Secretary: Jim Ramsburg, ECCL, Treasurer: Fran Wagner, ECA. 
 
Noethlich called the meeting to order at 6:04.  
 
Public Participation: Forty participants were present including 32 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 March 7th.  Notices of the meeting were posted in the South Regional Library, Colonial Bank, Estero Community Park and Realty World of Estero.

Treasurer’s Report:

Wagner reported a March 12th balance of $5,119.44 in the Community Planning Panel account on deposit at Colonial Bank in Estero. Eslick: Motion to accept   DeLisi: Second.  Report accepted unanimously.

Secretary’s Report:

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

Courtesy Presentation - Estero On The River:

Attorney Chuck Basinait of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., and Project Manager Cherie Akers of Wilson-Miller appeared to update the Community on their plans and to present the response to items raised by Lee County staff concerning the 85-acre mixed use development proposed for the northeast corner of US 41 and Corkscrew Road.  The proposal calls for a maximum of 530 residential units - including 181 bonus density units - and 300,000 square-feet of commercial & office space including the new 500-seat Gulfshore Playhouse.
 
A memo e-mailed to Panel members earlier by Alvin (Chip) Block, Principal Planner for the zoning division of the Lee County Dept of Community Development, stated that the county staff and developer were working together to resolve any remaining issues which could stall its approval.  Block identified and outlined ten specific areas of concern.  Basinait expressed confidence that planners had addressed and resolved these concerns.
 
Akers introduced eight Wilson-Miller staff members attending to answer any specific questions from the Panel or general public and distributed a 12-page booklet of design elements proposed for the project.  She outlined the project and noted that a number of residential units would be located in vertical true mixed use structures, above first floor commercial tenants.  She added that walkways would give the public access to the Estero River, not currently available. 
 
Akers and Basinait outlined the developer’s responses to the issues of concern which would: Limit perimeter building height adjacent to Corkscrew Road, US 41, Sandy Lane and Highland Avenue; Re-design parking lots not to face US 41; Request deviations to proceed with true mixed use development; Provide for current and future public transportation stops; Provide increased landscaping for the corner of US 41 and Corkscrew Road; Provide greater architectural detail planned for the development’s buildings; Reserve a corridor within the site for the potential realignment of Sandy Lane; Make any revisions necessary to comply with 2008 flood plain and floodway map revisions; Preserve any historical structures on the site; Restore the quality and public accessibility of the Estero River, and, Build on-site 10% of the site’s total residential units as moderately priced housing units and also contribute up to $2,068,649.00 to the Lee County Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
 
Eslick said he looks forward to more specificity in the plans to obtain his full support. Toth questioned the pedestrian accessibility to some areas within the development. DeLisi asked that the architecture of the development reflect to some degree the historical nature of the area.  Noethlich cautioned that something would eventually have to be done about Highland Avenue in the northwest section of the development as it leads to Broadway.  The Panel collectively praised the proposal in general and Noethlich thanked the presenters for their participation.

Pre-Hearing Examiner Review - Midtown Estero West:

Attorney Matt Uhle and Dan DeLisi, representing the applicant, appeared to update the panel on the 48-acre MPD proposed for the west side of Three Oaks Boulevard south of Corkscrew Road.  DeLisi addressed a previous request and distributed a five page draft of design guidelines for the development.  DeLisi noted that the guidelines were adapted from nearby Estero Town Center.
 
The second area discussed was a small revision to the master concept plan. 
 
In response to Welch’s question whether the development would contain “affordable” or “workforce” housing, DeLisi said the developer would likely opt for “affordable” housing with a donation made to The Lee County Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  Although that donation would not necessarily be used in Estero, the developer will also attempt to tie into the workforce program initiated by Bonita Bay Group within Osprey Cove in Estero.
 
Proposed Stand Alone Bar/Cocktail Lounge in Corkscrew Village Center: Noethlich reported that County Staff  has agreed to notify the ECPP if such an application is actually filed with Lee County.  Discussion ensued as to the circumstances that such use might be allowed, despite the prohibition under Policy 19.2.5 of the Estero Community Plan.  DeLisi said he would check with the county for an interpretation. 

David Graham Award for Excellence in Development

Lienesch reported that three nominations have been received.  The deadline remains March 15th.  

Estero Five Year Planning Update:

Subcommittee chairman John Goodrich was unable to attend the meeting.  Noethlich said he hopes to meet with several developers active in the community to participate in the process. DeLisi has been appointed as a consultant to the group.
                                                                               
Toth: Motion to adjourn.   Lienesch: Second.  Motion passed unanimously.   Meeting adjourned at 8:55PM.
 
NEXT MEETING: 6:00 PM, MONDAY, APRIL 9, ESTERO COMMUNITY PARK.