Meeting Minutes

ESTERO DESIGN
REVIEW COMMITTEE

August 9, 2006
5:00 P.M.
The Rapallo Clubhouse

Meeting Time: 5:00 P.M.

Members in Attendance: Gordon Lyons, Tom O’Dea, Bill Prysi, Joe McHarris,

Members Absent: Jim Wallace, Nancy Cohen, Gerald Simons, Al O’Donnell, Wayne Robinson.

Minutes By: Terri Melna

Meeting called to order.

Opening Remarks:

An announcement was made that there is no minimum requirement committee members who must be present at each meeting. Each member receives the review packages and if they are unable to attend the meeting, they provide comments via email and those comments are presented at the meetings.

Approval of the minutes of the July 12th meeting were called for. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and carried unanimously. Minutes were approved with no changes.
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Applicant: Advanced Insurance

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Architecture, Inc.

Discussion:
I-75 lies east of the site, the project occupies the northwest portion of a large CPD. The project will be in front of the Hampton Inn with the General Motors project beside it. The building will be tilt-up construction and have a barrel tile roof. There is a walkway from the front of the building going west to the back to the entrance road; however, there is no walkway going east to the back of the building. The Committee recommends this connection. The swale and sidewalk along Corkscrew Road were discussed. The project needs the interconnectivity between the project and the sidewalk. The sidewalk along Corkscrew needs to be completed so it runs from the west property line to the east property line. There is an outdoor patio on the east side of the building. This will be pavered with landscaping. An increase in the landscaping in this area was recommended and agreed to. The Committee reminded the applicant not to soldier their palms along the perimeter. The cabbage palms which exist on site are being saved and relocated on the site. The applicant was also reminded that the trees need to be 14’ tall. The dumpster and bike racks were not shown on the plan. The awning color will be earth tone rust red. The tile will be terra cotta colored; but the type of tile has not been chosen. The main entrance canopies are tile. The columns along the entry look bulky. The mechanical equipment will be screened by the parapet. Applicant agreed the round columns in the front entry needed to be changed and is looking for a more classical look. Applicant encouraged to add more details to the tower, using corbels and brackets. The parking islands must be planted, not sodded. Applicant agreed to mail in changes to the Committee.
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Applicant: Coconut Point Update

Fee: Update onlyy

Presentation by: Tom Schneider, Simon Property

1. Super Target
Located on what you may consider the “Sears” site. Similar to the Gulf Coast Town Center SuperTarget, but enhanced. The DRA recommended some changes. The building is 180,000 SF including the garden center. The fencing on the garden center is not chain link, but a meshed fence. There are trellises over the top of the garden center. There is a long expanse of wall along the front right side of the building which the Committee feels needs to be enhanced. The right side of the building should also be enhanced at for details. The applicant agreed to look at the corner transition. The Committee felt the project needed more landscaping. Some public members from ShadowWood raised concerns about what they would be able to see. Applicant was encouraged to make the rear as attractive as possible. There is a railroad and much landscaping between the building and the ShadowWood property. The Applicant was encouraged to keep in contact with the EDRC so the nearby residents could be kept apprised of the project. The left side rear elevation also needs to be looked at. The sign will be channel lit. This presentation was very preliminary and at this time carries no endorsement of the EDRC.

2. TGI Fridays
This will be located in front of the Best Buy to the south. The DRA did provide comments but these had not been addressed for tonight’s presentation. The red and white awning is objectionable. There will be outdoor seating. The exposed coolers are not allowed and the DRA did so indicate in their comments. The A/C will be on the roof and hidden by parapet. The sign is 3-dimensional curved open lettering. The Committee felt the sign was too big and needed to be brought into proportion with the wall.

3. Florida Gulf Bank
Tom indicated this is in the early stages of review and has been sent back for re-work. The project will lie slightly behind the Brooks corner feature on Coconut Road. Access to the site is from internal roads. The building massing is good; however, what was shown was Old Florida and given that the rest of the Coconut Point site is Mediterranean, the architecture needs to be changed.

4. Ted’s Montana Signage
There would appear to be some concern over the signage. The Committee was polled after reviewing the signage package and the Committee approved the sign with the stipulation there would be “no exposed neon”. The County rejected the sign due to the shape; however, the Committee did not have a problem with the shape, although the size needs to be brought into proportion to the elevation. As it is, the sign is too big and needs to be scaled back.

Best Buy Signage - The blue has been repainted to the terra cotta colored background and has been glazed. The side element wedge has a stone base installed and there will be a Mediterranean cap for the top; however, delivery of that element is 3-4 weeks away. The Committee expressed its appreciation to Simon Property for their cooperation on this matter as well as Lee County staff.
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Applicant: Trailside Drive

Fee: Previously Paid

Presentation by: Bill Prysi, Conceptus

Discussion:
Mr. Prysi indicated this project has previously been reviewed by the EDRC, but because it has been so many months and is just going in for its DO, the County wanted an updated letter from the Committee. Mr. Prysi agreed to return to the September EDRC meeting to present the colors and signage. The Committee was encouraged him to look at the back and side details and return with those changes.
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Meeting adjourned.