Minutes of
Public Meeting # 64

June 13, 2005
Marsh Landing Clubhouse, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present

Neal Noethlich, Chairman; Don Eslick, Estero Council of Community Leaders; Greg Toth, Estero Development Community; Gerald Van Gelder, Estero Fire & Rescue; Thomas M. Beard, San Carlos Fire & Rescue, Carl A, Barraco, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Dan DeLisi, Estero Development Community, Barbara Akins, Estero Civic Association. Treasurer: Frann Wagner, Estero Civic Association. Recording Secretary: Bill Brown, ECCL.

Noethlich called the meeting to order at 6:09 PM.

Public Participants:

One hundred participants were present including about 75 members of the general public. Brown reported that public notices of the meeting were published in the Fort Myers News-Press, the Bonita Daily News and the Bonita Banner. Notices were posted on the Internet in the Estero Development Report and on the Website of Estero Fire Rescue. A paid advertising notice of the meeting was placed in the Bonita Banner of June 11 and the News-Press on June 12. Notices of the meeting and the agenda were posted in the South County Regional Library, the Wachovia and Colonial Banks and the Estero office of Realty World.

Consideration of
San Carlos Citizen Participation

County Commissioner Ray Judah said that he was there to assist Estero and San Carlos Park in working together. He suggested a survey of the people in affected areas as the best way to resolve the recent controversy about the Estero Community Planning Area including a few properties in the San Carlos Fire District. Representatives of the Vines, Belle Lago and Breckenridge indicated their desire to remain in the Estero Planning Area. Representatives of San Carlos Park, especially residents of Pine Road and the San Carlos Park Civic Association, emphasized their desire to form their own Planning Panel and Design Review Committee using the San Carlos Park Fire District boundaries. Panel Vice Chairman Don Eslick offered his seat to a San Carlos Park designee when a developer proposes a project in the overlap area.

Developer Presentations

Pelican Sound Boat Storage

A presentation was provided by Michael Delate, P.E., of Q. Grady Minor and Associates, regarding the proposed expansion of the boat storage area within the FPL easement on the south end of Pelican Sound. The following items were presented and discussed at the meeting: The existing yard is too small to accommodate the needs of the residents Pelican Sound. It is proposed to amend the Pelican Sound RPD to allow boat storage for residents only within the FPL easement from the existing yard area to about 100 ft from the West Bay Club property line. Access to the yard would be internal to Pelican Sound.

Landscaping of similar nature to the existing yard would be extended along Williams Road to the west end of the property. (Additionally, landscaping would be provided along the west side of Pelican Sound to block the line of sight from within the West Bay Club so that the expansion area could not be viewed.

The Panel expressed concern that the existing vegetation was insufficient at the existing boat yard. Applicant agreed to meet with the West Bay Club representatives. A request was made to extend similar extensive landscaping found at the entrance to the West Bay Club along the entire length of the proposed expansion. Panel recommended that applicant work out landscaping issue with West Bay Club representatives and the panel would go along with that. Applicant agreed. The Estero Fire & Rescue representative wanted access road to be 11 ft in width and to be of suitable condition and strength to allow fire truck passage.

Hunt 30 /Santorini
Mixed Use Development

This project, located on west side of US 41 at the Estero Parkway, was presented by Sean Weeks, SRW Engineering. Rezoning is being requested for 4 ½ acres of commercial and 25 acres of residential. There would be 220 dwelling units or 8.8 units per acre with a club house, tennis courts and walking trails. There will be a buffer on the Breckenridge border. The commercial will be up front along US 41 with parking in the rear. In addition to the main entrance from US 41 an emergency access will also be provided through Marbella Estates, a residential project with an entrance on Broadway. The developers recognize they may not be able to build until US 41 is widened and they are willing to help with the financing.

Estero 4.2

This project is on the west side of US 41 in front of Breckenridge. It was presented to the community by Bob Thinnes of Q. Grady Minor & Associates. The only access will be through a frontage road in front of the Breckenridge commerce center. The project would also provide an access connection to the vacant unzoned property to the south. Two alternative configurations were presented to the Panel. Each would contain a 6,000 S.F. restaurant with 1,000 S.F. of outdoor dining and a 21,100 square foot retail building. The Panel and community preferred the plan with the stores up close to US 41 and the parking in the rear. In both cases the corner in front of Breckenridge contains the required detention pond. The developer will come back to the Panel after he presents his site plan to the County.

ECPP Business

Treasurer’s Report

Panel Treasurer, Frann Wagner, reported that as of June 13 the Panel bank balance was $ 7,760.11.

Approve Minutes of May 9, 2005 Meeting

The Minutes were accepted.

Status of Current Cycle of Estero LDC Amendments

Noethlich indicated that he has requested Bill Prysi and Dan DeLisi complete the negotiations with County On the few remaining technical issues.

Authorize purchase of Easels/Pads for ECPP and EDRC

The purchase was authorized by vote of the Panel.

Acceptance of new Panel member

Carl A. Barraco was accepted as the new representative of the Estero Chamber of Commerce replacing Joe Ortega.

Design Review Committee

Gordon Lyons reported that the Design Review Committee had reviewed the revised plan for Lowe's which raises the bar for big box building design in Estero. In addition the Chevrolet dealer agreed to redesign his project in accordance with Estero expectations at the request of the EDRC.

PANEL ADJOURNED AT 8:30 P.M.

NEXT PANEL MEETING July 11th AT 6:00 P.M. AT MARSH LANDING