ESTERO COMMUNITY PLANNING PANEL

Minutes of Public Meeting #117– July 19, 2010

Estero Community Park, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present: Jack Lienesch, Civic Association, Chairman; John Goodrich, ECCL; Dan DeLisi, Estero development community; Erik Dickens, ECCL; Ned Dewhirst, Estero development community; Greg Toth, Founding Member; Treasurer: Bev MacNellis, ECCL; Jeff Maas, Estero Chamber of Commerce; Neal Noethlich, Emeritus Member and  Bill Brown, Recording Secretary, ECCL. 

Public Notice:   Brown reported that the meeting notice appeared in the News-Press, the Naples Daily News Calendar, and 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.

Secretary’s Report:  Brown distributed minutes of the June meeting.  Goodrich: Motion to accept minutes. Dewhirst: Seconded.  Accepted unanimously.

DEVELOPER PRESENTATIONS: Commercial lot split for Walden Center –Fred Hood, Davidson Engineering explained that this would be accomplished by an administrative amendment. The new tenant requires more parking so eighteen additional spaces will be accommodated.  DeLisi asked about deviations which will involve water management and buffering issues. Toth asked about landscaping and open space.  Hood replied that they planned to maintain the landscaping and the open space would still exceed the 20% required by the county.  Lienesch said the Minutes will reflect the Panel’s approval.  At the time of the Development Order for this project, the landscaping changes will be reviewed by our EDRC.

University Highlands, Timberland and Tiburon MDP Amendment – Neale Montgomery.  Lienesch commented that the Panel was upset when the height change with which the Panel had been concerned was accomplished by an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.  Lienesch went to the BOCC hearing to express his disappointment and received apologies from both the county staff and the developer.  Al Moscato, Principal of MN Development Group, explained that the heights permitted start at 45 ft. near Ben Hill Griffin and increase by a 6 to 1 ratio up to 95 ft in the back near Miromar Outlets.  The planned hotel would be in the 95’ area and is planned to be on the lake near Miromar.  Several members of the panel felt the 95’ height was inappropriate for the NE corner in the mixed use area because it was right on Estero Parkway and Three Oaks.  Moscato presented their Image Book. Toth objected to the lack of a unified theme in the Image Book.   Ned agreed that commonality, compatibility statements for the whole complex should be part of the zoning somehow.  Regarding the deviation requested for the lake pedestrian access at the north end, Lienesch pointed out that Chapter 33, in the Estero section of the Code requires sidewalk and bike paths along any public road where a lake is placed proximate to the road.   He noted that our vision was to invite the public to utilize these areas as public space.  Montgomery said there is a liability problem.  DeLisi said if there is a liability problem why not put the lake further south?  He pointed out that the developer is asking for a deviation to put the lake up against Estero Parkway. Toth said Miromar uses its lake for recreational purposes – so what’s the difference!  Moscato stated that that lake was maintained by a CDD and has governmental immunity.  Lienesch asked what comes next with this project.  Montgomery said they would be happy to meet with Grandezza to review their concerns, and eventually come back with more design book definition.

ECPP: Noethlich announced that a Community Planning Workshop will be held on Saturday November 13 starting at 8:30 AM at the Hyatt Regency. This will include a survey of the community to help identify planning issues and prioritize. The workshop is part of the effort to raise funds and get county matching funds to hire professional help to update the Estero Plan and Vision Statement.

Lienesch announced that the David Graham Award will be presented to the Hyatt on Thursday, July 29 at the Trianon Hotel.

Dewhirst gave an update on Downtown Estero/Southland Village. He said the staff report described the problem at the intersection of US41 and the project.  Much discussion about the need for a full intersection occurred. The County is working with FDOT to get a westbound right turn lane on Broadway and Montgomery reported that Rick Johnson is ready to give them the necessary land to accomplish this.  Problems on Broadway would also be increased by a full access on Broadway for the project.  DeLisi said the project is a great design. Toth pointed out that even with the aforementioned right turn lane there will be big backups of traffic. Lienesch said if the three US41 entrances (this project, Rick Johnson’s and Cypress Bend) are consolidated it may be possible to argue for a full intersection and, when warranted, a traffic light. Noethlich pointed out the adverse impact on the Broadway and Highlands community which will be further increased if Estero on the River ever comes to fruition.

Lienesch said he and Dewhirst are working with our Webmaster, Kim Dailey, to update our Website.  He said she has found a better map of Estero.

Toth brought up a proposal for a “World of Beer” facility at Coconut Point which is potentially in conflict with Goal 19 which prohibits free standing bars in Estero (not associated with a Class III restaurant).  However, World of Beers cohabits with near-by restaurants which serve its beer in other Florida communities. Dewhirst said he didn’t consider this a stand-alone bar. Noethlich pointed out that they had permitted a wine tasting bar in Miromar. Don Eslick said that they should have a contractual relationship with the restaurants. Kathie Ebaugh said the County staff will attempt to develop some options for the Panel as to how this could be done within the existing plan language. She said this should be done without setting an unwanted precedent. She will give the report to the Panel at its next meeting on August 16.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.                 

 NEXT MEETING:

6:00 PM, MONDAY, August 16, ESTERO COMMUNITY PARK