November 2008 ECPP Meeting Minutes

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Estero Community Planning Panel

Minutes of Public Meeting #102
November 17. 2008
Estero Community Park, Estero, Florida

Panel Members Present:

Jack Lienesch, Acting Chairman, Estero Civic Association; Greg Toth , Estero Development Community, John Goodrich,.Estero Council of Community Leaders; Neal Noethlich, ECCL; Dan DeLisi, Estero Development Community; Lin Welch, Estero Chamber of Commerce. Recording Secretary: Jim Ramsburg, ECCL; Treasurer: Beverly MacNellis, ECCL. Lienesch called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM.

Public Participation:

Nineteen participants were present including eleven members of the general public. Ramsburg reported that public notices of the meeting were distributed to 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 the community Web site, www.esterofl.org. Notices of the meeting were posted in the South Regional Library, Colonial Bank, Estero Community Park and Realty World of Estero.

Secretary’s Report:

Ramsburg distributed minutes of the October meeting. Goodrich: Motion to accept minutes. Toth: Second. Report accepted unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report:

MacNellis reported a current balance of $651.75 in the Community Planning Panel account on deposit at Colonial Bank in Estero. Goodrich: Motion to accept Noethlich: Second. Report accepted unanimously.

Copper Oaks Resident Presentation:

Diana and Nick Carbo, representing residents of the Copper Oaks community on Three Oaks Parkway. The residents complain that construction of the new U.S. Post Office, adjacent to the community’s south side, has blocked the drainage of excess water from community property. Mrs. Carbo also cited the lack of a buffer between the new postal facility’s parking lot and the Copper Oaks community as compounding the problem. Residents have brought this problem to the attention of the U.S. Postal Service without satisfactory response as yet. Tom O’Dea, representing the Estero Design Review Committee, reported that the problem should be fixed when the contractor and county coordinate the point where drainage pipes from the post office site will connect to the underground sewage system along Three Oaks. Noethlich said that nothing has been seen by the ECPP or EDRC regarding plans for the proposed buffer between the post office and Copper Oaks. Discussion followed about the possibilities of extending a buffering wall that borders parts of the community to that area. Welch suggested that the Copper Oaks residents obtain a site plan for the post office property and learn exactly what has been planned for the property. Lienesch said that a set of landscaping plans for the site also is needed. Noethlich volunteered to join Mrs. Carbo in approaching the on-site contractor to request the plans.

Proposed Red Sox Training Facility in South Lee County:

For the record, DeLisi informed the Panel that his firm represents a property owner in the northernmost area under consideration near the entrance of Southwest Regional airport on Treeline. The area is not inside the Estero Planning Area. Lienesch said that if a property is chosen within the Estero Planning Area, that the ECPP would want to have some input in the process. Welch: Motion that Lienesch express this request in a letter to Jim Levander, Lee County Public Works Director. DeLisi: Second. Motion passed unanimously.

Lakes of Estero II Administrative Amendment:

Lienesch distributed copies of a proposed Administrative Amendment for consideration. Discussion followed regarding the Panel’s influence and/or interest in Administrative Amendments dealing with minor changes not affecting the Panel’s primary areas of concern but which might concern the EDRC. Welch: Motion that the ECPP neither encourage nor discourage Administrative Amendment presentations in future meetings. Yes: 4. No: 2 Motion passed.

Midtown Estero:

Lienesch reported that he received an email from Ascot Development which now proposes eight outlots for the site on the southwest corner of Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway.

Ascot has also requested a traffic signal south of Corkscrew Road at an entrance to the site. Lienesch volunteered to set up a meeting between Ascot and Estero Fire Rescue, which has proposed an emergency signal a short distance south of Ascot’s entrance. Discussion followed regarding the Panel’s continuing disappointment with Ascot’s revised proposals for the site and its outlots. Lienesch and Noethlich volunteered to meet with Harry Campbell and Pam Houck of Lee County to express the Panel’s concerns.

Panel Funding:

MacNellis suggested that the Panel discontinue renting a post office box for ECPP use. Noethlich said he would check legal and insurance ramifications.