Meeting Minutes

Public Meeting
June 11, 2008
5:00 P.M.
The Estero Recreation Center
9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd.

Meeting Time                          5:00 PM

Members in Attendance:         Tom O’Dea, Gordon Lyons, Bob Melzer,
                                            Bill Prysi, Gerald Simons

Absent:                                    Nancy Cohen, Joseph McHarris,
                                                Al O’Donnell,  Jim Wallace

Chaired By:                             Tom O’Dea

Minutes By:                            Norma Reynolds

Meeting called to order by Tom O’Dea at 5:00 PM.

Opening Remarks:

Tom O’Dea introduced Norma Reynolds who will be taking minutes of the meetings.

He reported that he has met with Mary Zetel of Lee County to discuss signage codes. She has agreed that her office will try to enforce the decisions and recommendations made by the EDRC.

Gordon Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes as written of the May 15th meeting.  Motion seconded by Bill Prysi.  Approved unanimously.

Applicant: Pawlet Plaza

Location:                                 Corner of Williams and Three Oaks

Presented by:                          Jerald Owen, Jeffrey Moore, Ahmad Kareh

Site Plan:

Ahmad Kareh, civil engineer for the project, described the project as a 10 acre, 13 buildings of which 12 are one story, the other is 2 stories.  They are using 74,100 of the 100,000 square footage which is 75% of the allowance.  Access to both Three Oaks and Williams are indicated on the plans.

Architecture Plans:

Jerald Owen gave an overview of the project - traditional Mediterranean character with a Gateway Tower, a lake (retention pond) with a fountain for water aeration, 13 buildings which have a total of 95,769 SF floor area; 85,300 SF which is leaseable.

Committee Comments:          

• Need variation in color, window types and window sizes
• Rooflines are too linear
• Provide more articulation to break up repetitive appearance
• Increase the overhangs from 2 feet to 3 feet
• Need to articulate the rears of all buildings fronting Three Oaks
• Due to inability of landscaping sides, roof massing needs to be addressed
• Committee wants to see drawings reflecting these changes -  must include color chips, elevation at rear of building along Three Oaks, dumpster enclosure detail including the gates

Landscape design presented by Jeff Moore. He listed the type, number and location of plants to be used.

Committee Comments:

• Site perimeter walls and dumpster enclosure should match architecture - drawings needed at the next presentation
• Need more variation in landscape layout – too repetitious as presented
• Terminal Islands and islands with “canopy” trees require 18 foot width
• Presentation indicated plantings in excess of code.  However, drawings did not illustrate any quantities to support commitment.  More detailed drawing needed.

Other comments and concerns:

• Sidewalks need more/better linkage across driveways
• Bicycle racks will be located adjacent to each building
• Character of the lake should not be a rectangle – more of a free form
• Tower lighting needs to be shown
• Standard signage on each building – names of tenants, only back lit letters are allowed
• There will be no lights in the parking lots

Applicant: McDonald’s

Location:                     Coconut Crossing on US 41

Presented by:              Al Lopez, Mark Hartley

Site Plan: Presentation of drawings by Al Lopez – pointed out the location of the building on the lot, location of the dumpsters, direction of the traffic

Committee Comments:

• Location of building  – others in that development are on the front of the site – building needs to be adjacent to US 41 or  make other modifications to site and architecture that will mitigate not placing the building adjacent to US 41
• Need pedestrian access from US 41 sidewalk to the building

Architecture Plans:

            Mark Hartley explained the drawings pointing out the entrance tower, the ladder on the back of the building, the need for roof space for equipment.

Committee Comments:

• Section 33 of LDC requires a sloped roof on buildings under 5,000 square feet
•  Need to use clay tiles on the roof
• Signage doesn’t meet code
• Think about hiding the ladder with landscaping

Landscape Plans: Drawings explained

Committee Comments:

• Trees need to be a minimum of 12 feet high, 4 inches in diameter, 45 gallon
• Detention area needs to be planted with Sparta Grass
• Not recommended to use only Cypress trees as buffer on US 41 – intersperse with palms and hardwoods

Applicant: Sun Trust

Location:                     Coconut Trace

Presented by:              Jason Sherman

Jason was here to address concerns from the May meeting presentation.  The bank intends to comply with all the suggestions.

• Detention area not required – bank to connect to site storm pipe system

• Tree size will meet requirements of 12 feet /45 gallon

• Roof line will be minimized by the planting of 7 palm trees of varying heights

• Dumpsters are not necessary – the trash receptacle must be completely enclosed and have a gate

• Signage has been revised – new proposal submitted – must include address for the fire department – suggest the base be extended beyond the sign by 1 foot each side –  should have identical signage on both sides – promotional signage removed from the site –

Tom O’Dea made a motion, seconded by Gordon Lyons to send a DO with the stipulation that the sign code be met.  Passed unanimously.

Applicant: Wildcat Run

Presented by:              Michael Spencer

Replacement Signage:

Michael Spencer presented the new proposed signage.   Wildcat Run members want a low key sign. No need for a large sign since the development is sold out.  They plan to remove 3 existing signs and replace with 2. Color charts and a design of the logo to be used were presented.

Committee Comments:

• Approved the colors and the logo.
• Code does not allow 4 foot high base although to make up for the grade of the land it may be permitted – alternate suggestions were made
• Plant material needed for the base of the sign near the entrance

Bill Prysi made a motion to approve and send a DO as long as the plant material was addressed.  Bob Melzer seconded.  Passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 5:00 PM at the Estero Recreation Center.