Estero Community
Planning Panel (ECPP)

Purpose

ECPP was established for the primary purposes of

(a) creating an overall Estero Vision Statement and Community Plan amendment to the Lee County Comprehensive Plan (LEE PLAN),

(b) preparing related Land Development Code (LDC) amendments,

(c) potentially preparing a Future Land Use Map (FLUM) revision, and

(d) consulting with Developers and County Staff regarding proposed Developments within the Estero Community Planning Area.

Function

ECPP is a not for profit corporation in compliance with Chapter 617, Florida Statutes. It was incorporated November 28, 2001 after operating previously as The Estero Community Planning Committee. By incorporating, ECPP became eligible for public funding under the newly established Lee County Administrative Code AC13-3. The ECPP operates according to its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Florida Sunshine Law, and Lee County Administrative Code AC13-3. The ECPP functions primarily as a recommending body to Lee County government, and has no independent approval powers over LEE PLAN, LDC or FLUM amendments/revisions, Zonings or Development Orders.

Members

ECPP is composed of six members, representing The Estero Civic Association, The Estero Council of Community Leaders, The Estero Chamber of Commerce, and the local Development Community. In addition to the six Panel Members, there are two Recording Secretaries, a Treasurer and a Technical Advisors from Estero Fire Rescue and San Carlos Park Fire and Rescue.

List of Current Panel Representatives

More information on the Composition of the Panel

Activity

ECPP solicits input from local Citizens, Landowners, the Development Community, The Lee County Department of Community Development, The Land Development Code Advisory Committee, The Executive Regulatory Oversight Committee, The Local Planning Agency, the Land Development Code Advisory Committee, The Florida Department of Community Affairs, and other Boards and Planning Agencies. It has conducted eight public planning workshops, distributed questionnaires and as of December 12, 2005 has conducted 70 public meetings, attended by over 3000 people. Input received is subsequently synthesized into proposed amendment(s) and submitted to Lee County DCD staff for their review and shepherding through their development reviews and the amendment process.

Funding

ECPP and Lee County entered into an agreement under in which the ECPP received a grant of $25,000 in public funds to help fund this planning effort. Additional funding has been provided by The Estero Chamber of Commerce, The Estero Civic Association, members of ECCO, many individual citizens, and community organizations. In all, the total cost of these efforts is expected to exceed $50,000.

Spending

ECPP utilizes the paid services of private sector planning firms, consultants, and works closely with the Lee County Department of Community Development and local developers, citizens, landowners and other representatives of the development industry in accomplishing its tasks.

Development Plan Input

ECPP has completed Phase One (The Plan), The Estero Vision and Community Plan, which, after multiple public reviews and government hearings, was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on January 10, 2002.  Phase Two (LDC Revisions) continues, with the first of multiple planned Land Development Code Revision cycles for Estero adopted by the BOCC in June, 2002, and a second Land Development Code Revision cycle adopted by the BOCC in June, 2003. A third Land Development Code Revision cycle was adopted in December, 2005. Preparations for the next LDC amendment and a review of The Community Plan will begin in 2006.

Public Meetings

ECPP conducts regular public meetings at 6 pm on the third Monday of each month at the Estero Community Park, at which Developers present to the Estero Community their plans for Zoning/Rezoning of property within the Estero Planning Community. Community participation and active interest in these meetings is high, with attendance normally ranging from 25 to 50, with a high of more than 150 people. Community recommendations and concerns are then summarized and included, along with the developer’s proposed solutions, with the Developer’s Zoning Request Submission Package to Lee County DCD. As of December 12, 2005, one hundred and eight presentations related to area development, proposed projects and zonings have been made to the Estero Community at public meetings hosted by the ECPP.

Estero Design Review Committee

ECPP created in October 2002 the Estero Community Appearance Committee (ECAC), which has been subsequently renamed as the Estero Design Review Committee (EDRC) which provides Professional Review of Developer projects at the Development Order Stage. These reviews, which are conducted monthly at 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month include Architectural, Landscaping, Site Location, Berming, Signage and other aspects of Estero specific Land Development Code requirements for the Estero Planning Community. The EDRC is currently composed of eight Professionals in the fields of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Planning, and Business. Professional Secretarial services are contracted by the EDRC. The EDRC has conducted more than 35 public meetings during which more than 75 projects have received one or more reviews. Recommendations and concerns are summarized and forwarded in parallel with the Developer’s Development Order Request submission package to Lee County Development Order Services Department.

Estero Community Planning Panel
P.O.Box 955
Estero FL, 33928-0955

Updated: 122005