Meeting Minutes

Public Meeting
October 12, 2005
5:00 P.M.

The Vines Country Club – The Perry Room

Meeting Time: 5:00 P.M.

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

Members Absent: Nancy Cohen, Wayne Robinson, Bill Prysi

Minutes By: Terri Melna

Meeting called to order.

Announcement made regarding The Vines being a private country club and had a no-jeans policy. Cell phone usage would be limited to the small room to panel’s left.

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

Applicant: Steak N’ Shake

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Mark Drew & Mike Cook, AIM Engineering

Discussion:

Awnings consist of cream and black. Dark bottom with lighter top color on the building. Roof to be red brick barrel tile. Committee stated buildings under 5000 SF must have a 30 degree pitched roof. Discussion regarding special equipment for restaurants – some committee members felt the pitched roof could be accommodated by having an attic with the exhaust equipment and air handler located there, and the condensing unit could be put on the ground. A chimmey could be installed on the roof for the exhaust duct. Building is 101’ long and 40’ wide along US 41. This is highly visible and the roof lines on the front should be pitched. ECPP has requested no exceptions to the pitched roof under 5000 SF. As code is now, this pertains to Corkscrew Road projects only. There is a pending code change to include all of Estero. Discussion ensued and concensus was that the committee should be consistent with all previous restaurant projects presented. EDRC committee wishes to further discuss with ECPP. This project has a parapet around entire building. It needs more articulation. Perhaps covered tiled roof over entry. More architectural details needed. Equipment should be hidden by parapet. D buffer along 41. Adding additional trees on the inside of the D buffer was suggested. Needs more details on pick-up window wall elevation. Lower porte cochere - 18’ high. Needs more undulation on side of building. Add sabal palms to back elevation island. Consider adding sabal palms with 20’ trunk – 3/4/5 each side on drive-thru wall elevation. Has 8 more parking spaces than required – 63 required, has 70. Suggestion to check setback to parking on spine road – should be greater. Entry feature – small tower – width not in proportion to the rest of the building. Recommended to return and agreed to return next month. Letter will be sent to the County in order not to hold up project.

Comments/Suggestions:

· Pitched roof at front

· More articulation

· Covered tile roof over entry

· More architectural details

· Lower porte cochere

· Undulation on side of building

· Add sabals palms to back elevation island

· Check setback to parking on spine road

· Entry feature width

Applicant: Empire Galleria

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Charles Krebs & Theresa Artuso, Hole Montes, Owner & Architect also present.

Discussion:

Located at Sandy Lane & Corkscrew Road (north side). 40,000 SF retail/commercial. Two access points as well as a future access per zoning. Has bike racks and sidewalks. No color samples. Agreed to return with samples next month. Blue color is “steel”. Roof tile samples needed. 4 buildings – two each of two different styles. Bldg. #3 & #4 rear elevation – covering over doorways. Applicant felt because of buildings’ orientation, covering was not necessary but committee felt it was. Back sides and ends need more plantings. Have green area with bushes and shrubs. Dry detention area approved thru zoning – but no undulation. Can applicant do some plantings to improve. Min. size trees used – in new code, 45 gal., 14’ trees. Use more sabals and more “tall growing” shrubs. Banks Engrg. will be doing overall perimeter landscaping. 8’ masonry per zoning. Monument sign – needs to be wider than tall. Applicant agreed to look at changing. Committee felt building details looked good. Suggested to add landscaping by monument sign. Owner stated Bldg. #1 would be their corporate office headquarters and that landscaping would be nicer than minimum. Code stated 75’ space between ROW and parking. Project has 6 more parking spaces than required. Agreed to look at removing 2/4 spaces and plant heavily by monument sign. Committee would then support less than 75’ to parking. There is no wall along Corkscrew Road as shown on plans presented. Will bring revised plan to next meeting. Committee supports removing 4 parking spaces and to increase plantings there. Letter will be sent to County but applicant agreed to return next month with changes/colors.

Comments/Suggestions:

· Colors

· Roof tile samples

· Monument sign

· Undulation on detention area

· Increase tree size to meet requested 12-14’ 45 gal. container

· Check parking spaces and landscaping

Applicant: Estero Animal Hospital

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Larry Scrabia & Kirk Teschke, DVM

Discussion

This is on Corkscrew Road adjacent to residential. Not Mediterranean but Old Florida style. Is it appropriate for this site? Long narrow site. Has utility garage in same style as main building. Paint chips presented – similar to Bonefish Grill colors. Detention in rear of site. Used native vegetation. Has wall between residential use on west side with trees and shrubs. Buffer along rear side – has residential, not ag. Discussion ensued to as Mediterranean vs. Old Florida. Committee stressed “great architecture” but not in this location. Must be Mediterranean as all surrounding projects will be Mediterranean. Committee stressed Applicant did a good job in designing a 2-story architecturally pleasing building – but needs to be Mediterranean.

If possible, add more Sabal Palms along Corkscrew Rd. Has overhead lights so will look at. Committee likes driveway entrance. Had parallel parking along wall. Code requires 20’ off the property line. Committee stressed that they watch landscaping at parallel parking so passengers could get out of the vehicles. Possibly use mulch and creeping figs or Jasmine on trellis? South side of entry to add sabals. Outdoor runs will be buffered – animals in runs will be on leashes. No chain link fence allowed on buffered areas. Applicant agreed to look at. Agreed to return next month.

Comments/Suggestions:

· Mediterranean fits this site

· Add sabals to south side of entry area.

· Committee supports reducing from 20’ to 15’ distance for wall from residential property. This will not always be a residential neighbor.

· Check fencing on outdoor run areas.

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