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Meeting Minutes

ESTERO DESIGN
REVIEW COMMITTEE

April 12, 2006
5:00 P.M.
The Rapallo Clubhouse

Meeting Time: 5:00 P.M.

Members in Attendance: Gordon Lyons, Al O’Donnell, Jim Wallace, Tom O’Dea,

Members Absent: Bill Prysi, Wayne Robinson, Joe McHarris, Nancy Cohen

Minutes By: Terri Melna

Meeting called to order.

Approval of the minutes of the March 8th meeting were called for. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and carried unanimously. Minutes were approved with no changes.

Applicant: Coconut Point Oakbrook

Fee: Not Paid

Presentation by: Ned Dewhurst, Hole Montes

Discussion:
Presenting the 3D Tract consisting of 224 MF Units and signage for the South Village. Monument signs will be located at Williams & Coconut and at the corner by the Sanibel Steakhouse. Wall entry signs will be located at Williams – Sandy Lane, Rapallo, US41 by the fire station and at Pelican Colony entrance. Committee expressed displeasure at the slash pines being used along the Coconut Point US41 buffer. Committee felt their use downgraded the appearance and as the pines grow, you will lose the sightline visuals of the shopping center. Applicant indicated this was Simon’s property and that the Oakbrook portions were using enhanced landscaping, while Simon is using code minimum. Committee felt the sabal palms should be clustered. Applicant agreed to pass along Committee’s feelings to Simon. The EDRC committee reminded Ned that this same concern about Simon’s poor landscaping was discussed last fall with the Simon project team and Tom Schneider himself assured us the landscaping would be more than code minimum and that we would be pleased with the results. From what has been planted to date that is clearly not the case. It is made even more obvious by comparison to the lush landscaping of the Coconut Point North Village US41 buffer just north of the Simon Project. Ned Dewhurst indicated the South Village would be planted to the same spec as the North Village. Based on previous conversations and presentations the EDRC committee had expected all of Coconut Point would held to the same high standard. That is one of the reasons it relinquished its design review authority to an internal design review committee. Fortunately the expenditure required to fix the landscaping is nominal relative to the total project.

Peter Flood and Ty Smith presented Tract 3D, Mirasol at Coconut Point. This will consist of 224 MF condo, townhomes and flats. They vary from 1 to 3 bedrooms and average 1300 SF under air. They have a one-car attached garage. There will be 28 2-story buildings, clubhouse with pool. Most buildings will have 8 units, although some have 6 or 10 units. This will be a controlled access project. The sales center should be open within 3 weeks. Prices will average high $200,000’s to low $400,000’s. Committee expressed opinion that the architecture did not feel up to par with the rest of Coconut Point. Facades are offset. Applicants’ indicated renderings make the architecture difficult to feel, that this will be comparable to Rapallo. EDRC expressed desire to see a landscape plan. The driveways will be brick pavered. No rear elevations were shown. Agreed to return with landscape plan and perspectives at the next meeting. There will be low ground cover between the driveways. Committee suggested using a half finger between drives with waist-high shrubs. Interior lighting will be decorative. Not using FPL. The railroad tracks were discussed between this project and The Brooks. Consensus was there is a wall on the Brooks’ side.

The South Village will have an assisted living facility as well as a financial center and Lee Memorial. The Pelican Colony Extension will have a 25,000 SF retail strip to the north. Nothing yet along Coconut.

Applicant: The Meadows

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Shellie Johnson, Barraco & Associates

Discussion:
County has requested a reuse meter for this project and it will be located at the southeast corner off Williams Rd. County requested Barraco return to EDRC with plan. Just the meter box will be above ground. The same type of landscaping will be used as in the rest of the project. Applicant suggested using a 6’ fence around the box. Applicant indicated a desire to use a black chain link fence indicating the color will make it disappear. Meter box is typically 4-6’ high. The developer is providing the fence. Applicant indicated using slats is not desirable as they dry out, break and crack. Committee suggested and applicant agreed to wrap the viburnum around both ends. Committee expressed a concern as to the access and approach for maintenance. Applicant indicated she felt the access would be at the back.

Applicant: Estero Animal Hospital

Fee: Not Paid

Presentation by: Ted Sottong, Architecture, Inc.
6325 Presidential Court, Suite 1A
Ft. Myers, FL 33919
teds@archinc.com

Discussion:

This is a return project. The plan is basically the same as previously presented. The vestibule area juts out more. The dog run will not be fenced in. Discussion held regarding the wall between the house and the project. Applicant indicated this house is for sale as commercial. Committee suggested applicant talk to the neighbor regarding the wall and Committee will support, with the neighbor’s blessing, elimination of the wall since it was felt this would not remain residential. Committee requested channel lit sign rather than internal lit. Committee suggested applicant talk to a sign fabricator and agreed to mail in signage plans to Committee. Rendering reflects a lime colored building, but applicant indicated it was a sage green, similar to BoneFish Grill’s green.

Applicant: Brooks Commons Dumpster & 5’ Walkway

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Sean Weeks, SRW Engineering, Inc.

Discussion:
Applicant working for Bonita Bay Group for an LDO for an additional dumpster and 5’ walkway. Dumpster will be same dimension as the first dumpster. Project will have a pedestrian interconnection paved with architectural walls. This will be a memorial garden area in honor of David Graham. Committee indicated agreement with plans.