Meeting Minutes

Public Meeting
May 15, 2008 at 5:00 P.M.
The Estero Recreation Center
9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd.

Meeting Time:                        5:00 P.M.

Members in Attendance:        Tom O’Dea, Gordon Lyons, Al O’Donnell, Bob Melzer, Gerald Simons and Jim Wallace

Absent:                                   Nancy Cohen, Bill Prysi, and Joe McHarris

Chaired By:                            Gordon Lyons

Minutes By:                            Ramona Thomas

Meeting called to order.

Opening Remarks:

Tom O’Dea will be in contact the Mary Sidel regarding the signage at Target, also Tom Schneider regarding the Pet Smart signage on the side of the building facing the preserve.

Approval of the minutes of the April 9th meeting was called for.  A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and carried unanimously.  Minutes were approved with no changes.

Applicant: Estero Crossing

Location:                       Midway between Three Oaks and I-75 on the south side of Corkscrew Road

Presented by:                David Beal Project Manager: Vanasse Daylor

Discussion on Site Plan:

David Beal of Vanasse Daylor presented revised plans for Estero Crossing, a commercial development with proposed 310,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space located adjacent to Lowe’s which was last presented to the EDRC at the meeting of March 2008.

The EDRC comments were addressed as follows:

·        Added the terminals of sidewalks to provide pedestrian connectivity with the adjacent parcels.

·        Verified on site plan the location of the sidewalks leading to Lowe’s and Ruby Tuesday’s

·        Added a berm to increase the planting along Corkscrew Woodlands. The berm is 7-ft above the fall line and the plantings added are mahogany trees, royal palms & sable palms.  Also added a buffer along the edge with a continuous row of 40-gallon buttonwoods.  Both sites have been cleaned.

·        Final plans on buildings were presented in lieu of conceptual plans, do not expect to see corporate tenant changes to building designs.

·        Integrated dumpster walls with the restaurant building to prevent pedestrian access to the dumpsters between buildings A and B.

·        The restaurant building is 8500 sq ft and the bank roof has been adjusted to meet code requirement for entire building under pitched roof on buildings less than 5,000 sq ft.

·        Added variation, detail and articulation to the rear of building E (the four tenant building) east exposure. Demonstrated hiding rear of building with added berm and increased planting.

·        Four tenant building is modified to add architectural elements, adornments, towers, and color variations.  The EDRC agreed it was an improvement over the last review.

·        The tenant panel segments for the signage are changed to opaque panels with letters only lit to meet the intent of the code with the dark background and only the lettering illuminated.

The EDRC voted to accept the designs and send a DO with the understanding about the signage lighting including the six panels for tenant signage.

Applicant: Suntrust Bank

Location:                       Coconut Trace west side of U.S. 41 between Williams and Coconut roads

Presented by:                Jason Toole, P.E. CPH Engineers, Inc.

Discussion:

Jason Toole, P.E. CPH Engineers, Inc. presented plans for Suntrust Bank located in Coconut Trace on the west side of US41 between Williams Road and Coconut Road.  Based on the email comments from the EDRC, the building was pushed closer to US 41 and the sidewalk connectivity was addressed.

Comments:

·        Do not see a detention area.  The site is part of a master design outparcel and a storm pipe is left for the bank to connect to.

·        Tree heights must be 12-ft height, 45 gallon minimum, 12-14-ft overall for Estero Requirements.

·        Put seven palm trees in island by the drive through to minimize view of the roof line.

·        Do not see dumpster on-site. Suntrust Bank has all documents picked up and shredded therefore no dumpster is needed.  The only trash generated will be from the break room and a small can screened with shrubs on both sides is located near the front of the building.

·        The monument sign does not meet the signage requirements. Background color of the sign must match the building color, must have an opaque background with letters only lit or back channel lit letters, sign must be wider than it is tall, does not need to have roof tile, but EDRC would like to see it framed.

·        Way finding signs are acceptable on-site, promotional signage is not acceptable, cannot list services on the drive through poles nor on the light poles. Return for signage.

The EDRC is in favor of the building plans and landscape with comments as mentioned but would like to see all signage including directional and the landscape lighting for the parking lot brought back for review.

There being no further business to come before the committee the meeting was adjourned.

Next Meeting:      Next EDRC Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at the Estero Park Community Center.