Minutes of
Public Meeting # 92

October 8, 2007
Estero Community Park, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present:

ECPP Chairman Neal Noethlich, ECCL; John Goodrich, Estero Council of Community Leaders; Lin Welch, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Gordon Lyons, EDRC; Tom Siegfried, Estero Fire and Rescue, Beverly MacNellis, Treasurer, ECA; Recording Secretary, Bill Brown, ECCL.

Public Participation:

23 participants were present including 11 members of the general public. Brown reported there was a display ad in the Bonita Banner on October 3rd. There was a story in the News-Press on October 5th. The notice was in the Estero section of the News-Press Web page and our joint Web Page – EsteroFL.Org. The notice was posted in the Library, Realty World and the Wachovia and Colonial Banks.

Secretary’s Report:

Goodrich: Motion to accept September 10th Meeting Minutes as amended. Welch: Second. Minutes accepted unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer MacNellis distributed a comprehensive report on transactions in the Estero Planning Panel checking account at Colonial Bank for the period ending 10/6/07. The ending balance was $3,444.75 Goodrich: Motion to accept Treasurer’s Report. Welch: Second. Motion approved.

Developer Presentations:

Update on Rapallo Art District and Change in DRI

Ned Dewhirst and Jim Wallace said they have requested a height increase to 55’ from 45’ for the Rapallo Theatre. Wallace explained that the Theatre requires the additional height to allow room for the rigging that goes with the stage. They are asking the Commission when it considers the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation on October 29. Other buildings in the DRI have 55’ or more. Noethlich said he supports the requested increase in height. Lyons concurred.

ASAP Corkscrew Mini Storage CPD

South side of Corkscrew Road North of the Stoneybrook Fire Station

Fred Drovdlic, ACIP, Quattrone & Associates, presented sketch for a five building mini-storage facility on Tract S-2 (5.17 acres) of the Stoneybrook DRI. The largest building will be 500’ long which in appearance will be similar to the Lowes store in that it appears to be a series of smaller stores instead of one big building. This was done at the suggestion of the Design Review committee. The NOPZ rezoning request is for a 150,000 Square foot Mini warehouse on 5.17 acres and eliminates office and retail uses from parcel S-2. The access would be moved from Stoneybrook Drive to a central site location off of Corkscrew Road and would make no use of the school and fire station access. The tallest building will be 45’.. There will be no doors facing Corkscrew. Noethlich noted the revised schedule of uses which still allows one convenience store with gas pumps on another tract within this CPD. Because of the proximity to the Pinewoods Elementary School, that was a bit troubling. Mr. Drovdlic indicated the developer would not likely give up that use. Noethlich pointed out that ‘Signs, in compliance with LDC Chapter 30” should also refer to Chapter 33 to cover all of the Estero provisions. The co-chair of the Design Review suggested a prohibition against contractors using the fire station and school road for construction.

Proposed Amendment to Williams Place CPD

along US 41 east of Fountain Lakes, to allow sales of alcohol with a Restaurant within 300’ of and adjacent residential area –

K’Shana Hayne of Roetzel & Andress, LPA said the restaurant would be 248 ‘ rather than the presently required 300 ‘ from Fountain Lakes. The fountain Lakes Community Association has no objection. The restaurant will be an upscale pizza restaurant, serving beer and wine, called “Za Za serious pizza”. In response to a question from Goodrich, Hayne said no beer or wine would be served outside. Hours will be from 11:30 AM until 11:00 PM. Noethlich pointed out that Estero allows no stand-alone bars.

ECCP:

Bob Melzer of Heidt & Associates, who is a Fort Myers landscape architect was appointed as a new member of the Design review Committee on motion of Goodrich and second by Welch. Goodrich reported on the status of the planned update of the Estero Five Year Plan. Goodrich and Noethlich met with representatives of the County Planning staff and the county Attorney’s Office primarily for clarification of the application of the Sunshine Law. Discussion with developers and among Panel Members involving planning has to be in a public meeting with notice. Noethlich pointed out that there can be one-on-one meetings with developers about developer support of and participation in the planning process and education...O’Dea reported on progress in updating the Website to make it more usable by developers. Lyons said that Design Review Committee will hear from representatives of the Coconut Point Super Target on Wednesday.

The Panel adjourned at 8:00 PM.