ESTERO COMMUNITY PLANNING PANEL
Minutes of Public Meeting #126– February 21, 2011
Estero Community Park, Estero, Florida
 

Panel Members Present: 

Public Notice: 

 Brown reported that NBC-2 had a story, and the notice was in the News –Press and the Naples Daily News online calendars, the Century- Link Estero Events Calendar and Esterofl.org websites.  The notice was posted at the South County Regional Library, Realty World of Estero, and the BB&T and the Fifth Third Banks.                 
Approval of Minutes:   Brown distributed minutes of the JANUARY 24th meeting.  Dickens:  Motion to accept the minutes:  Maas Seconded.  Accepted unanimously. 

Treasurer’s Report:

 MacNellis reported a balance of $1,198.72 as of January 31, 2011. Report accepted.

Presentations :

CR 951 – Commissioner Ray Judah
Commissioner Judah used a power point presentation with the following slides: 001 is the CREW lands, 002 is a 2010 aerial showing the proposed CR951 route, 003 is the same but showing the properties as they appeared in 2004 and 004 is the Alico Research Diamond area. Commissioner Judah told the group that although CR 951 was not needed today, the MPO should keep it in the long-range plan because it might be needed in 10-20 years and it would be very difficult to revive.  He said he had consulted with the county appraiser and was told that whether or not CR 951 was kept in the plan it would have no impact on the value of the Edison Farms property.  Dewhirst said he agreed with Judah that it should be kept in for planning purposes.  Noethlich indicated that he had been part of a study group that had recommended that the route should be moved further east.  Maas said the area will continue to grow and the route will be needed to relieve traffic congestion.  Wildcat Run resident Jim Dodge did not buy Judah's argument.  "The growth won't happen if you don't build these roads," he said.  "Mass transit, affordable housing - those are the things that would free up I-75, not building a parallel road that's right up next to us."  Deborah Rardin supported Judah position.  A Grandezza resident told Judah that they would like to meet with him to discuss this further, and he agreed.  Goodrich pointed out that both the Audubon and the Conservancy are opposed to CR 951.  The panel noted that this issue will be discussed at an upcoming ECCL meeting in March.
 
Administrative Amendment for the Preserve at Corkscrew – Stacy Hewitt, Director of Planning, Banks Engineering
The Preserve at Corkscrew is on the south side of Corkscrew Road west of Bella Terra and east of Monte Cristo.  The owner is proposing that previously approved multi-family tracts be revised to allow a single family option.  Minor site plan changes are also proposed including an innovative design for two of the cul-de-sacs to allow for a joint driveway off the cul-de-sacs which requires 3 additional deviation requests.  The first deviation would eliminate the requirement for dead end streets to end with a turnaround.  The second deviation would revise the requirement on utility easement on each side of the right-of-way by providing for a utility easement on only one side.  The third deviation would revise the requirement for a minimum width of 40 feet for two-way private local streets to allow a 30-foot width.  Goodrich asked how many houses and was told that there would be 6 or 7 at each location. Lienesch expressed concern as to the visibility of house numbers.  Dickens asked about emergency equipment and was told that fire departments have not complained about the proposed arrangement.  Noethlich asked why only Chapter 30 was referred to on signage whereas Chapter 33 is also applicable.  He was told this would be taken care of at the time of the Development Order review.  Dewhirst pointed out the absence of interconnections. Lienesch suggested they should consider interconnections with the neighboring commercial property to the East (Bella Terra).  It was explained that they had tried to work out interconnection with neighboring developments with no success. Dewhirst suggested that the County should enforce the policy of interconnections.  When asked about timing, the developer indicated he would like to begin construction “in about four months.”  Lienesch said the minutes will show that the Panel supports the requested amendments.

ECPP:

Workplan Development – Kathie Ebaugh gave us her and Paul O’ Connor’s feedback to the Estero Community Plan Scope of Services that was drafted by Dan DeLisi:
 
1.) Not enough detail.  Each item needs to identify what we want to accomplish along with each step's deliverables and relative time frames to do it.
2.) We need to prioritize -- if all are not able to be funded, which does Estero want to do first, then second, etc.?
3.) It was unclear to the county if the requested funds were all from them ($100K) or would Estero be responsible for half.
4.) If the final time for completion is to coincide with the County Plan submission, the time should be Spring of 2013.
5.) Adoption should be the final task -- the last of the sequence.
 
Ebaugh was asked to forward to Lienesch some of the documents other community planning groups have submitted just to see the level of detail expected.  Jeff suggested we circulate the revised document among the panel for comments.  This kind of work can be done outside of the sunshine laws.
 
On a somber note, Ebaugh announced that Matt Noble's wife passed away last Friday.  We asked her for specifics for the arrangements to see what an appropriate response from us should be. Bev will coordinate for the ECPP.
 
David Graham Award – Dickens will email the group that made the selection last time.

Walk-on Issue:  Noise Issue at Coconut Pointe Town Center:   Jim Bridenbaugh from Shadowwood  asked about the temporary use / noise issue at Coconut Pointe.   It was clear there was uncertainty about what was supported at last month’s meeting.  Lienesch explained that he had discussed the issue with Pam Houck at the county and had invited the Simon Mall manager to have a meeting with some of the panel and county staff on site to clarify the situation.
Panel was adjourned at 8:00 PM

NEXT REGULAR MEETING:  March 21, 6:00 PM, Estero Community Park