Volume 2, Number 5
Issued September 2002

Edited by ECCO--the Estero Concerned Citizens Organization
For further information, to provide information or to add names to our mailing list,
Email Don Eslick at doneslick@worldnet.att.net or call him at 949-4050

Estero Development Activities during September 2002

October Opportunities for Citizen Participation In Protecting Estero's Quality of Life

Date	Time	Event	Location
Tuesday, Oct. 1st	6 p.m.	Roadway Landscape Advisory Committee Meeting--possible consideration of expanded 2002-03 roadway landscape program.	County Community Development Building, Conference Room 3A, 1500 Monroe Street, Ft. Myers
Wednesday, October 2nd	9 a.m.	Continued Hearing -- Miromar Design Center Rezoning	Hearing Examiner's Hearing Room, 1500 Monroe St., 2nd Floor, Ft. Myers
Wednesday, October 2nd	9 a.m.	Corkscrew River Ranch Hearing	Hearing Examiner's Hearing Room, 1500 Monroe St., 2nd Floor, Ft. Myers
Thursday, Oct. 17th	6:00 p.m.	Estero Community Planning Panel meeting	South County Regional Library
Monday, Oct. 21st	9 a.m.	Board of County Commissioners Consideration of Zoning for the Simon-McArdle Coconut Point Project	Commission Chambers, 2120 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Ft. Myers
Tuesday, October 22nd	7:00 p.m.	Florida Department of Transportation Hearing on I-75 Widening Plan	Three Oaks Banquet & Catering, just north of Corkscrew Road
Wednesday, October 23rd	5:30 p.m.	Estero Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours	Bonita Community Health Center

County Votes To Delay
Three Oaks Parkway Construction by Two Years

On September 3^rd the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to delay by two years the construction of Three Oaks Parkway from Terry Street to Coconut Road. The county blamed the delay on the increased cost of constructing the road on the route finally selected by the City of Bonita Springs. This two year delay will compound already serious traffic problems for all users of US 41 throughout the parallel segment from Coconut Road south to Bonita Beach Road.

The Agenda Item Background section prepared for the BOCC by the Department of Transportation rationalizes the delay as follows: "The Three Oaks Parkway South Extension project as originally budgeted assumed a much different alignment than was ultimately selected…The final alignment is much longer and requires all new right-of-way, which has led to a significant increase in expected costs...With the new alignments at the north and south ends of the corridor, Johnson Engineering has estimated the overall project cost at $28.457 million, a $9.330 million increase. With the separate accounting of the landscaping phase…the difference is $10.327. The City of Bonita Springs has proposed to pay an additional $3 million toward that increase, for a total of $12.535 million. In order to fund the balance…We are also proposing to spread the right-of-way phase…over two years (FY's 02/03 and 03/04) and move the construction phase back two years to FY 05/06, to fit the available cash flow." (Underline added for emphasis).

The proposed two year delay means that this important reliever for US 41 and I-75 will not be available for use until the spring or summer of 2007, over 4 years from now.

Recent news reports indicate that Collier County's 16 miles of this "Third North-South Corridor" will be completed by 2005 at a total cost of $46 million. The south Estero segment through The Brooks and up to Corkscrew Road commenced operation earlier this year. Four laning of Three Oaks from Corkscrew Road to Alico Road is expected to be completed in 2005. Thus drivers coming from the north will be forced to travel west on Coconut Road in The Brooks to US 41 and then proceed south on that already crowded road,  while drivers coming from the south will be forced to travel west on Bonita Beach Road to US 41 and then proceed north into that already congested area.

Its not just Estero and Bonita Springs residents who are hurt by this decision but also the thousands of workers from Ft. Myers, Cape Coral and other north Lee County communities who travel daily to Collier County to work and stay far longer in our communities than they wish because of the creeping rush hour traffic on US 41 and I-75. For Lee and Collier Counties to invest well over $100,000,000 to $200,000,000 in recent years on a road with a gap in the middle that greatly reduces its usefulness is poor public policy and a waste of taxpayers monies.

Meanwhile south Lee County north-south traffic continues to increase about 10% per year. In recent years most of that increase has been absorbed by I-75 due to congestion on US 41, causing I-75 to get more and more congested. Congestion on I-75 will soon equal that of US 41 thus leaving the traveling public no better north-south alternative.  Once completed in late 2005 another two lanes on US 41 will help, but cannot offset the impact of this short sighted decision.

At  the October 1^st BOCC meeting Commissioners Coy and Judah expressed concern about the two year delay. This produced a statement by the Transportation Department admitting that the delay would cause the segment to be completed later than all others; indicating that some forthcoming DRIs might provide some resources that might permit some or all of the delay to be rectified when the CIP is next reviewed in the spring of 2003. Commissioner Judah asked that the Department prepare a report for the Board's November 4^th Management and Planning meeting assessing how soon the road can be permitted, Right of Way acquired and the road constructed and what options are available to accelerate the funding for this segment.

Because of the chaos this two year delay would cause is unacceptable, we urge you to email, call or write all five County Commissioners asking them to raise the priority of this Three Oaks Parkway project so that it will be completed no later than 2005. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do so as well.

Name	Email Address	Phone Number
Hon. John Albion	Dist5@leegov.com	335-2225
Hon. Andy Coy	Dist4@leegov.com	335-2226
Hon. Bob Janes	Dist1@leegov.com	335-2224
Hon. Ray Judah	Dist3@leegov.com	335-2223
Hon. Doug St. Cerny	Dist2@leegov.com	335-2227

Simon Suncoast
(now "Coconut Point") Mixed Use Development

(on the east side of US 41 from Williams Road to the Bonita Springs Boundary)

The developers and the County DOT continue to meet and discuss their differences regarding the Hearing Examiner's transportation recommendations. This process is likely to continue until at least Tuesday, October 21^st, when the BOCC holds its hearing on the matter. Estero residents are encouraged to attend this important meeting -- see page one for the exact time and location. We have been told that the BOCC will likely reach a decision on the 21^st.

Estero Community Planning Panel (ECPP) Activities

The ECPP met on September 24 to appoint the members of the Estero Community Appearance Committee (ECAC) and to hear three Corkscrew Road developer presentations, one for zoning and the other two for development order review.  

The ECPP unanimously approved the following eight people for membership on the ECAC:

Cynthia Caterham, an architect who works as a design manager for the Bonita Bay Group in their new Estero headquarters.

Ron Dillon, Vice-president of Oakbrook Properties, the owners of the 483 acre property that may be the site of the Simon Coconut Point development.

Diane Ferrando, an Estero resident in charge of design review for the Bonita Bay Group.

Robert Flato, a retired Estero resident with much experience in community matters and in working with architects.

Gordon Lyons, an Estero resident of Wildcat Run in Estero active with the Estero Chamber of Commerce and the Estero Civic Association.

Albert O'Donnell, an Estero resident, President of O'Donnell Landscaping, President of the Estero Chamber of Commerce and a member of the County Roadway Landscape Advisory Committee.

William Prysi, an experienced landscape architect and planner and a member of the County Roadway Landscape Advisory Committee.

Wayne Robinson, a landscape architect with Vanasse & Daylor who recently served the community by designing the intensified landscaping plan for Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway.

Chairman Noethlich expressed the opinion that he would like to see the ECAC expanded to nine members if another architect expressed an interest in serving. Six of the eight members of the ECAC were present for the meeting and actively participated in reviewing two development order requests presented later in the meeting. The developer presentations are discussed later in this report.    

County Approves Increased
Funding for Roadway Landscaping

On September 3^rd the County's Roadway Landscape Advisory Committee (RLAC) voted to approve the recommendation of its sub-committee regarding how to spend the proposed $2 million increase in roadway landscaping money for the coming fiscal year starting October 1^st.

The RLAC voted to allocate the $2 million to the following uses:

• $100,000 to $200,000 for planning existing high priority projects so they may be implemented quickly should additional funding become available in the future;
• fund available existing high priority road projects that can be implemented quickly;
• fund five "high intensity core" projects that can be completed quickly including Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway; and
• use the balance of the funds to pay the cost of "higher intensity core" landscaping on county roads that will soon be constructed or

The plan conceptually approved by the RLAC for (1) Corkscrew Road between US 41 and I-75 and (2) Three Oaks Parkway from Williams Road to Corkscrew Road substantially increases the number of trees planted in the medians, adds trees in the Right of Way (ROW) along the roadside, where effective maintenance is possible, and, in cooperation with adjacent landowners, would add plantings on private property at high visibility intersections. This approach found favor with the Committee because it is consistent with the County's "core" landscaping concept --- consisting primarily of trees that have much lower maintenance costs that other kinds of plantings. When implemented the plan will add up to $600,000 in additional landscaping on these two roads. The County is already planning to spend about $355,000 for landscaping these two segments during the next year.

On September 5^th and 19^th the BOCC conducted public hearings regarding their FY 2002-03 budget including the $2 million added for roadway landscaping in response to the efforts of Estero residents and organizations. The Board voted to approve the budget including the $2 million increase.

In order to expedite the design and installation of these projects the County plans to amend the contracts of the firms that were hired for the original design and installation wherever economically feasible. If this strategy is successful the two roads could be intensively landscaped by this time next year.

Estero Property Tax Climate Continues To Improve

Thanks to the Estero Fire Rescue District, Estero's property tax rates continue to compare favorably with our neighboring communities. While opening, equipping and staffing two new fire stations and starting a third, the Estero Fire Rescue District was able to maintain its $1.79 per thousand tax rate. In contrast residents of the Bonita Springs District suffered s substantial tax increases for the second year in a row.

On September 24^th the Bonita Springs Fire Board voted to raise that district's tax rate from $1.98 to $2.30 per $1,000. As a result Bonita Springs taxpayers will pay $.51, or 28%, more than Estero Taxpayers will pay for fire services during the coming year. Offsetting this slightly is the City of Bonita Springs municipal tax rate reduction this year by about $.13 per $1000. As a result Bonita's comparable tax rate is about $.13 per $1000 lower than the County Municipal Services tax rate that Estero residents must pay. The City's reduction offsets about one quarter of the tax disadvantage Bonita taxpayer's must bear because of their high fire district tax rates. Bonita Springs combined municipal and fire district tax rate this year will be $.38 per $1000, or 13%, higher than Estero's.

To our north the San Carlos Park Fire District held their rate steady after raising its rate greatly last year to an area high of $2.50 per $1000. As a result San Carlos Park taxpayers will pay $.71, or 40%, more during the coming year for fire services than Estero taxpayers.       

Estero's 2002 Permitted Housing Unit Growth

The number of housing units permitted in Estero in August confirms that Estero's housing growth will be considerably lower this year than the exceptional growth performance of the last two years.

 During the month of August 90 housing units, with a total building value of $16.9 million, were permitted in Estero. During the first eight months of 2002 a total of 995 housing units were permitted in Estero, down from 1,620 last year, or 39%, and 1,324 in 2000. 

Nonetheless, during the first eight months of the year Estero contributed about a quarter of the total building value of all housing units permitted throughout unincorporated Lee County, and exceeded the value of housing permitted in the City of Bonita Springs by 71%.

Estero Community Park Progress Report

(Centrally located between Corkscrew and Williams about 1 mile east of US 41)

On September 24^th the BOCC approved a contract for $670 thousand for the design, permitting and preliminary construction management of this 65 acre park.

The next step in the park's development will take place late in October when County staff and its planners will present the amended master plan to the BOCC for approval.

Thereafter three additional public meetings will be held in Estero to review design details, including the size and architecture of the recreation center, of the park. At these hearings the Estero community will have an opportunity to decide if the park should have a "theme" and what that theme should be. In addition, the community will have a say about the type of architecture that will be used throughout the park.

According to press reports, the Boomer house (built in 1927 as part of the Koreshan settlement) will find a permanent home in the park. Mimi Straub of the Estero Historical Society was mainly responsible for this significant improvement.

Jim Lavender, the County Public Works Director, has indicated that preliminary site work is expected to begin in early 2003.

Estero Median
Roadway Landscaping Update

US 41

from Old 41 to Corkscrew Road

The State and the County have agreed to permit the County to hire a landscape architect to design "core" median landscaping and irrigation plans for this road segment to be implemented in early 2005 after the six-laning of the road is complete. Bonita Springs has agreed to use the same designer for their part of the project. The BOCC is expected to authorize the bidding process during October. Six laning this road segment started on September 16^th. 

Corkscrew Road

from Sandy Lane to Corkscrew Woodlands

During September, Lee County  began work on the  "core" median landscaping and irrigation system for this important segment of Estero's "Main Street". The irrigation and plantings should be completed in about three months. Additional plantings will be installed along this roadway in 2003 as permitted by the aforementioned budget increases.

Estero  Road
Improvement Progress

Sandy Lane Alignment Study Status

During September, Lee County DOT advertised for engineering consultants interested in conducting the Sandy Lane Extension Corridor Alignment Study. Once the interested consultants have been identified, the County will enter into a competitive negotiation process that will result in a consultant being selected in December or January.

The selected consulting engineer will: 1) perform environmental and engineering services for the County: 2) consider all social, environmental and economic effects of the roadway; and 3) develop conceptual design plans for the road and assist the County with a Public Workshop. The road segment included in the study extends from Old 41 in Bonita Springs to Oriole Road in San Carlos Park. Once underway the study is expected to take about one year to complete. 

US 41

from North Old 41 to Corkscrew Road

On September 12^th FDOT conducted a public meeting to discuss the widening and resurfacing plans for this road segment with Estero and Bonita businesses and residents. Ajax Paving Industries is the contractor on this $10 million project. Ajax did the widening recently completed in San Carlos Park that most people feel was completed most efficiently. Ajax plans to keep two lanes open each way throughout the daytime hours. The project is expected to be completed late in 2004. Ajax will earn a $125,000 bonus if the work is done at least 50 days earlier than required by the contract.

I-75 Widening Plans Discussed
by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

FDOT plans to complete their plans for widening I-75 in our area by the end of the year. As part of that process FDOT will hold a public hearing on their plans on Tuesday, October 22^nd, at the Three Oaks Banquet and Catering Facility, at 7 p.m. FDOT expects to spend $106 million to add two lanes to I-75 by 2010.

Estero Development
Project Status Reports

Copperleaf at The Brooks

This golf course community in The Brooks has only 25 units remaining for sale after only three years of marketing activities. The community, developed by Pulte Homes, consists primarily of single family homes and detached villas. Pulte developed the Spring Run community in The Brooks, also a golf community.

The Habitat

a Housing Development Located East of Wildcat Run on the South Side of Corkscrew Road

This 1,012 acre parcel of land, zoned in the early 1980's for 2,350 homes, 100,000 square feet of retail and 20,000 square feet of office, has been sold for about $25 million to a Miami residential developer, Habitat Lakes. 

Tony Gonzalez, the principal for the developer, intends to build about 1,800 to 1,850 homes with space for lakes, an 18 hole golf course, open space and a clock tower. The developer hopes to break ground in early 2003.

The property has been the subject of several lawsuits with environmentalists and local governments. There are still two lawsuits that have not been settled-- one with the Lee County School District and the other with the Estero Fire Rescue District. Both suits concern the remaining obligation of the development to pay additional impact fees. Some payments have been made but the local governments believe that additional payments are due.

Picaya Bay Surgery and Medical Office Center

(located on the north side of Corkscrew Road just west of Arby's)

The representatives of this project made their second appearance before the ECPP on September 24^th. They are seeking zoning that would permit the construction of four medical buildings, containing 24,000 square feet, on this 3.4 acre site.

In accordance with the Corkscrew Road Overlay District requirements the front building will be situated near Corkscrew Road with parking behind it. The ECPP's discussion centered primarily on roadway access issues. The ECPP would like to see an eastern interconnect that would permit access to the property from Three Oaks Parkway.  The Panel agreed that there is a need for the project to have a separate entrance off Corkscrew Road because of the difficulty in using the existing entrance through Arby’s. The developer agreed that there would be a deceleration lane leading into the proposed main entrance off Corkscrew Road. The Panel also recommended that there be a connection with Arby’s that may be used for entering or exiting the Surgery Center. This interconnect presently connects with an access road leading to Three Oaks. The developer was also asked to assume a proportionate share of the cost of upgrading and maintaining landscaping on the Corkscrew median.

Corkscrew Palms Commerce Center

On September 24^th the ECPP and ECAC reviewed the development order application for the Corkscrew Palms Commerce Center, located on the south side of Corkscrew Road, west of River Ranch Road and east of Corkscrew Palms Blvd, the main entrance to the Estero Community Park.

Thomas Lehnert, Vice President of Banks Engineering, presented the developer's request to add an additional 30,000 sq. ft. of commercial space to the presently zoned 100,000 square feet of office. 15,000 square feet of the commercial space would be used for neighborhood retail. Two of the ten buildings immediately adjacent to the Corkscrew Palms intersection would be authorized to house retail on the first floor.

The project would consist of 3 one-story buildings, 3 three-story buildings and 4 two-story buildings. The single story buildings will be located along Corkscrew Road, the two-story buildings will be on the east and at the rear of the property and the three-story buildings will be located in the center of the property. Because the developer asked that the 3-story buildings exceed the 45 foot height limit in the Land Development Code, the developer agreed to come back to the Panel with a conceptual design for the three-story buildings. It was suggested that the sidewalk along Corkscrew Road connect to other sidewalks on the property servicing the center building adjacent to the road. The developer was asked to assume responsibility for a proportionate share of the cost of upgrading and maintaining landscaping on the Corkscrew median. The Panel agreed to support the developer's request for additional space and commended the developer for bringing such an attractive project to the panel.

Corkscrew Commerce Park

(Southwest Corner of I-75 and Corkscrew Road)

On September 24^th representatives of the owner of this property presented an infrastructure development order request to the ECPP and the ECAC. This property is already zoned for interstate commercial with eleven outlots. The development order would reduce the number of outlots to eight and seek approval to begin construction of the water, sewer, drainage and road systems for the property. The developer representatives made it clear that the developer has endeavored to incorporate the Estero Plan and LDC changes, especially landscaping, into his design. The revised master concept plan includes a 25 foot berm with alternating landscaping and walls along the entire perimeter of the property on Corkscrew Road and the ramp to I-75. This change will assure consistency of landscaping appearance for all of the external outlots contained in the property. After these properties have been sold and the new owners are ready to develop their individual outlots, they will be required to present development order plans to the ECAC for its comments and suggestions prior to obtaining any building permits. The ECAC and County staff will review each of these proposals for conformance with the Corkscrew Road Overlay appearance guidelines now in the Land Development Code.

Most of the ECPP and ECAC discussion centered on potential traffic problems in connection with the only access to the property off of Corkscrew Woodlands Blvd.  Project build-out is expected in 3 to 5 years.

The developer agreed to pay his proportionate share of the cost of upgrading and maintaining landscaping on the Corkscrew Road median.