Meeting Minutes

Public Meeting
March 14, 2007
5:00 P.M.
The Estero Recreation Center
9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd.
 
Meeting Time:                        5:00 P.M.

Members in Attendance:        Gordon Lyons, Tom O’Dea, Nancy Cohen,
Al O’Donnell, Jim Wallace, Bill Prysi,
Gerald Simons
 
Members Absent:                             Joe McHarris, Wayne Robinson
 
Minutes By:                            Ramona Thomas

Meeting called to order.

Approval of the minutes of the February 14th meeting was called for.  A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and carried unanimously.  Minutes were approved with no changes.

Cedarwood Retail at Estero Update

Presentation by Scott Beauchesne
 
Scott Beauchesne introduced the design team for the Cedarwood Retail at Estero and they presented their project consisting of a 7,544 s.f. retail building designed for four retail spaces located at U.S. 41 and Coconut Rd. in Coconut Crossing, incorporating changes based on the comments of the EDRC at the February 14th meeting.

• An interconnecting sidewalk from building to perimeter sidewalk is added.
•  A bike rack is added on the north side across from the parking areas.
•  Entire Dry Detention is planted per Chapter 33.
•  Additional buffer/ shrubs provided to buffer parking lot from access road.
•  Building perimeter planting increased from 760 sq ft to 1495 sq ft.
•  Roebellini palms in the front of the building changed to royal palms.
• The seating area at the front of the building was removed and replaced with additional landscaping.

Applicant: ASAP Storage on Corkscrew

Location:                       Corkscrew Road
Fee:                     
Presented by:                Al Quattrone, Quattrone & Associates
Discussion:
 
Al Quattrone introduced Anthony Santaularia from Diversified Concepts who presented the revised building design changing the flat one building looking to a look of five building by changing the roof elevations and incorporating different colors on each of the building sections to complete the segmented look.
Comments included:

• Suggest larger accent palms and clusters on low point of building to enhance the building separation.
• Landscape Plan poorly related to Architecture and needs to be better designed to relate to the building. Buffer design was not compatible with Building and does not meet the intent of Chapter 33.
• The use of Palms in buffers does not meet the ratio requirements defined in Chapter 33.
• The application of required Internal Landscaping was not identified on the drawings and as presented wasn’t applied.
• Recommend removing knee wall planters and move landscape closer to building to incorporate under planting trees. The landscape design needs to incorporate both the required buffer and building perimeter planting in a more unified and appropriate manner. Poorly designed as presented.
• View from Corkscrew next to Cypress conservation, is side view of building which is very visible, internal landscaping needs to be quantified.
• Suggest submitting renditions of signs, adjusted landscape plan, and building colors – warm earth tones with strong value differences.

Applicant:Broadway Grand Shoppes

Location:
Fee:                              
Presented by:                Rick Johnson, Alan V. Roseman, Grady Minor and Assoc.
Discussion:

This project was originally reviewed in October & December.
          Comments included:

• Concerns about how the emergency FDC entrance is controlled, Developer using breakaway fence.
• Developer using two smaller buildings instead of one large building
• Suggested adding buttonwood to hide the tire store to meet Lee County requirements.
• Committee commented on the appropriate relationship of the selected plant pallate. However, noted concerns that Cabbage Palms can not be used in soldier courses. Applicant noted that the plan was conceptual and that all Cabbage Palms would be clustered.
• Committee supports the Water garden in indigenous area.
• Dumpsters screened by 6 ft fence with vegetation around fence as additional buffer at all 4 dumpster areas.
• Chapter 33 requires cabbage palms at a 2:1 ratio for buffers. Sable Palms should be 6-8 ft from buildings.
• All buildings should have interconnectivity between buildings for dumpster access.
• Signage width should be greater than height & material must meet current standards.

The committee will send a DO approval letter to the county.

Applicant:Paradise Shops of Estero

Location:                       US 41 & Pelican Sound Blvd.
Fee:                               Not paid
Presented by:                
Discussion:
The rear façade elevation was raised, tightened oaks to 30 ft for buffer, and added live oaks between royal palms.
          Comments included:

• Suggested Christmas or Thatch Palms and increasing vegetation next to building.
•  Expand sign base to complement roof by maximizing base height to 2 ft and increasing length.
•  Back lit letters must be lit individually.
•  Bring back sign with recommended changes for review at the next meeting.

Old Business:

The EDRC is concerned there may be a violation of the zoning condition at the Coconut Point Perimeter landscaping buffering on Via Coconut Point (Sandy Lane).
          Comments included:

• The zoning condition is limited to buffering of building elevations visible from specific arterial roads, namely Via Coconut Point (aka Sandy Lane), Coconut Road and US 41.
• It was suggested sending pictures and information to Zoning on requirements and reviewing zoning conditions.
• Tom Schneider will be in attendance at the April meeting to discuss the committee’s concerns.

Signage on Stoneys on Corkscrew and (Stoneybrook) Ben Hill Griffin may not be compliant with Estero Code. 
 
Wayne Robinson has resigned due to family and business commitments.
 
Meeting adjourned.
 
Next Meeting:                         Next EDRC Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at the Estero Park Community Center.