Minutes of
Public Meeting # 69

November 14. 2005
Marsh Landing Clubhouse, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present

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

Noethlich called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM.

David Graham Tribute

Noethlich requested a minute of silence in memory of the late David Graham, a founding member of the Panel who died recently.

Public Participation

Twenty-seven 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 November 10th. Notices of the meeting were posted in the South Regional Library, Colonial Bank and the Estero office of Realty World.

Treasurer's Report

Wagner reported a current balance of $7,304.31 in the Community Planning Panel account on deposit at Colonial Bank in Estero. Toth: Motion to accept Eslick: Second. Report accepted unanimously.

Secretary's Report

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

Presentation: CVS Pharmacy at Plaza Del Sol

Jeff Satfield of CPH Engineering presented revised plans for a proposed 12,900 square-foot CVS Pharmacy within the Plaza Del Sol commercial development at the northeast corner of Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway. The major revision was placement of the building's drive through facility on the west side of the property, allowing the building to be moved closer to the south property line, a reduction in the previously requested 80-foot setback to approximately 65 feet. Van Gelder noted that the height of the drive-through canopy and the width of the drive-through lane surrounding the building must accommodate the height, width and turning radius necessary for large emergency vehicles. Satfield replied that plan flexibility will allow for these requirements. Eslick asked if a reduction of five feet in the building's 20 foot, (Type D), landscaping buffer between the storm water drainage easement and the facility's drive-through lane might be incorporated to further reduce the building's distance from Corkscrew Road to 60 feet. Satfield agreed that it could. Toth asked if the requested deviation in setback distance might be tied into the storm water management easement area to prevent this property deviation from being cited as a precedent for other development proposals requesting deviations. He suggested the possibility of a six-foot wall to further shorten the distance. Satfield replied that a wall is possible and might be a continuation of a wall on the property's west side. Noethlich commented that he prefers landscaping to a wall, or in conjunction with a wall. He further stated that the wall proposed by the developer of the adjacent Parcel C has very nice architectural elements and a similar design to this on Parcel D might be appropriate. DeLisi complimented Satfield on the design's improvements and said that if the property's buffering might be incorporated with the storm water easement, the Corkscrew Overlay's distance requirements could be better satisfied. DeLisi asked if a sidewalk would be constructed on the south side of the building to allow pedestrian access from Corkscrew Road, one of the original intents of the Overlay district. Satfield replied that a five foot wide sidewalk could be added within the buffer area. Noethlich added that pedestrian access to CVS from Corkscrew Road with an extension of the sidewalk would be desirable but that a discussion by the developer with county staff would be appropriate.

Presentation: Estero Park Commons (fka Corkscrew Palms II)

Attorney Chuck Basinait of Henderson - Franklin presented a revision in the proposal for the site located on the southwest corner of Corkscrew Road and Corkscrew Palms Boulevard, the future north access road to the Lee County Estero Community Park. Basinait said that the revision deals with the southeast corner of the site on which two single story buildings for office and small retail use were previously proposed and combining them into one, two-story building for the same use totaling the same 24,300 square feet. Basinait said that the revision already had the approval of county staff which recommended a presentation to the Panel. Basinait added that the building design would be compatible to the adjacent buildings within Estero Park Commons. Eslick asked if the parking spaces could be better landscaped because the parking area was increased from 81 to 115 spaces. Basinait said that landscaping would be consistent if not exceed those desired in Estero. Eslick also said that it would be nice if a portion of the increased space available could be designed as a "commons" area.

ECPP Business

Status of Pending Estero Amendments to Lee County Land Development Code

Noethlich reported that the amendments would be considered by the Local Planning Agency on November 28 and by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners in two public hearings scheduled for November 22 and December 13, the projected date of adoption by the BofCC. DeLisi reported that he will attend the LPA hearing and the December 13 BofCC hearing. Noethlich plans to attend both BofCC meetings.

Funding of Current County Funding for Community Planning

Noethlich reported that the Panel has requested a meeting with Paul O'Conner, Director of County Planning, to discuss the matter.

Proposal to Establish ECPP/EDRC David Graham Memorial Award for Development Distinction

Noethlich proposed an award to honor developments honoring distinctive developments in the name of David Graham. Toth: Motion to establish award. Barraco: Second. Motion passed unanimously. Detail possibilities were discussed and Barraco was designated to organize the effort with the EDRC. DeLisi will notify and seek concurrence from the Graham family.

Developer Perceptions of Architectural Standards

DeLisi said that since adopting the Corkscrew Overlay some developers have the misconception that Estero is projected to be a community incorporating nothing but Mediterranean design to the exclusion of Old Florida or any other design considered compatible. He recommended that in areas north of Corkscrew the Old Florida design be encouraged - adding that Old Florida design, particularly north of Corkscrew and south of Broadway on US 41, would emphasize the community's historic heritage and that some architecture can be designed as a transition between areas of Mediterranean and Old Florida styles. Noethlich added that Old Florida design was supported by many in the original Community Plan workshops. Barraco said that most designs brought to his firm by prospective developers are done in Mediterranean style. Toth supported continuity in smaller contingent areas and would not like to see a mix of the two styles in an area dominated by Mediterranean. Eslick recalled that most residents favored Mediterranean style architecture and that most residential communities incorporate that design, resulting in the Mediterranean style which is stated as the preferred style in the Corkscrew Overlay. Eslick agreed that in the area north of Corkscrew up to the Broadway area Old Florida style is suitable. He noted, however, that Mediterranean designs already have been presented for projects in this area and also along US 41 up to the Estero Parkway area. There was a consensus that compatibility with neighboring designs - as stated in the LDC - is an important consideration.

Mixed Use Development Symposium

Noethlich presented a proposed letter to county officials and developers inviting them to the December meeting of the Panel to discuss True Mixed Use Developments combining commercial and residential uses. The Panel agreed with the proposal.

Toth: Motion to adjourn. Lienesch: Second. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:52 PM.