Minutes of
Public Meeting # 80

September 11, 2006
Marsh Landing Clubhouse, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present

ECPP Chairman Neal Noethlich, ECCL; 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 participants were present including 12 members of the general public. Brown reported that there were display ads in the Bonita Banner on September 6 and September 9. The notice was in the Estero section of the News-Press Web page, the Banner Web and the joint Web Page – EsteroFL.Org. It was in the Banner Briefly Column on Aug. 9th. It was posted in the Library, Realty World and the Wachovia and Colonial Banks.

Secretary’s Report

Lienesch: Motion to accept July 10th Meeting Minutes. Toth: Second. Minutes accepted unanimously.

Treasures Report

September 11 balance: $5,600.49

GREATER ESTERO ARTS COUNCIL

Judy Beach and Bev MacNellis announced two Estero arts projects:

“Spirit of the Gulf” concert which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on September 30 in the Estero High School Auditorium to raise funds for the High School Landscaping Project. Tickets are $20. Tickets can be ordered online at http://esterofl.org/eccl/committees/spirit%20concert.htm.
Arts in Estero 2007 is scheduled at the Estero Community Park on February 17.
In response to a request from the Arts Council – Eslick: Motion to make the Arts Council the fifth member of the joint Web page, esterfl.org to share in their portion of the cost. Toth: Second. Motion passed unanimously...

PRESENTATIONS

Review of Camargo North MPD

As Approved by BoCC, and Summary of Design Guidelines, presented by Shellie Johnson, Barraco & Associates, Inc. The August 21 Lee County Commissioners approval of the Carmargo North Mixed Planned Development did not include the design guidelines which the developer had discussed with the Planning Panel. Therefore, the purpose of this appearance to make a commitment by the applicant to abide by the guidelines submitted to the Planning Panel. Toth raised a question about the roof requirements on page 4 of the submitted guidelines that says, “Parapets will be used to conceal roof top equipment and flat roofs where required”. He pointed that it is the Estero policy to avoid flat roofs. Ms. Johnson promised to convey this to the developer.

Informational Presentation Re Plans to Relocate Methodist Church Thrift Store

Reverend David Harris, Sis Newberry and Richard Barrow presented plans to move the Thrift Shop to a new 5,000 square foot metal building on the corner of Broadway and Highlands Avenue. The new metal building would be painted the same color as the Church. This would remove an unsightly building presently on US 41. In an area which the Church plans to landscape and place a church signs with the United Methodist Logo. Newberry asked for the Panel’s opinion as to their chances for getting approval for this project. Delisi said the chances are not good if the building looks like shed, but it could work if it were given an Old Florida look like the Soto House across the street. Toth said that the proposed metal building looks like a maintenance shed. He suggested that it should be designed to fit in with the Church’s overall building plans. Noethlich said the Panel favored the removal of the building, but not the design of the new metal building. Eslick suggested that the project be broken up into two building so as to not overpower neighboring homes and make it easier to add Old Florida architecture. Eslick suggested that the corner from which the Thrift Shop is being removed might be a site for the FDOT to place the retention pond they had proposed for across US41 on the Boomer property. Reverend Harris responded they would be willing to consider that proposal.

ECPP

Awards/Recognition Program

Lienesch presented a simplified procedure for the David Graham Award for Excellence in Development. Noethlich said information about the award could be put on the joint Web Site. Welch asked whether there would be just one award in a year. Delisi suggested that landscaping and public safety be added to the criteria. Toth Motion there be one David Graham Award for Excellence in Development each year chosen by the ECPP and EDRC based on the guidelines presented. Delisi.Second. Motion passed unanimously. Welch Motion that the Award be given once a year with the choice being made in the last quarter of the year and presented the next year. Delisi.Second. Motion passed unanimously.

Discussion of Proposed Mixed-Use Density Amendment CPA2005-35:

Noethlich referred to the Summary of the September 2 Workshop that he e-mailed to everyone. .Eslick Motion that Noethlich and Delisi meet with the County Planning staff to determine what needs to be done to eliminate the use of special exceptions in Estero and that they be empowered to undertake whatever action is needed. Toth: Second. Motion passed unanimously.

East Corkscrew

Noethlich reported that East Corkscrew residents were meeting tonight to decide whether or not to join with the Estero Planning Panel in developing an East Corkscrew Overlay as an addition to the Estero Plan.

Review of List of Potential Consultants

Delisi said that we need much more then the $50,000 that the County has budgeted to hire a consultant that is qualified to do what needs to be done. We would need more like $100,000 to $200,000. He would like to see us retain one of the planners from the Northeast that do heritage plans... Eslick suggested that we need another workshop with possible consultants and other communities to discuss this matter. It was decided to schedule such a workshop for October 28.

Toth: Motion to adjourn. Eslick: Second. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING: 6 PM, MONDAY, OCTOBER 9th, ESTERO COMMUNITY PARK