Meeting Minutes

Meeting Time: 5:00 P.M.

Members in Attendance: Al O’Donnell, Gordon Lyons, Joe McHarris, Tom O’Dea, Ron Dillon, Bill Prysi, Nancy Cohen

Members Absent: Wayne Robinson

Minutes By: Terri Melna

In the Publix Shopping Center at Ben Hill Griffin & Corkscrew Road, adjacent to Perkins, in the SE corner of the lot. Regional food/island food restaurant. 133 inside seats and 75 outside seats. Also in Bonita Springs on Bonita Beach Rd. Going for contemporary vernacular, has metal roof, umbrella type roof over outdoor seating areas. Applicant feels they are compatible with surrounding buildings. Discussion regarding roof over outside seating being structurally sound. Perhaps small columns could be added, if necessary. Colors fit well within the Estero Overlay District. McDonalds, Perkins and the shopping center were pre-Overlay. Two outparcels left on the north end of Ben Hill Griffin. Public comments indicated this was not Mediterranean. Metal roof did not seem to be a problem. The diamond pattern on the building walls is considered a “signature” of the owner. It was discussed it was possible to tone down the diamond pattern by using less contrast between the off-white and taupe colors. The element on the front side of the building was designed to draw people’s eye to the building. It was mentioned perhaps a border edge along the roof line to break the roof away from the diamond pattern. It was decided a tile roof over the portico would not be possible. It was mentioned that some of the plants were high maintenance. Bike racks are needed and it was confirmed there would be outdoor furniture. There would be detention under the deck for storing water. The deck is made of Trex. Signage only on the building – no monument signs. This is a back-lit sign on the building itself.

It was discussed that if it was possible, tone down the diamond pattern by using less contrast between the off-white and taupe colors.

It was agreed that if columns were necessary on the outside seating area roofs, EDRC would get another look at it.

Cement tile roof – Architect will return with colors

Monument signs are not intended to be used; however, if any monument signs were going to be erected, EDRC would want to review.

It was agreed by some that this project “fit this site”.

This is the left side of the Galleria at Corkscrew project. Phase I has previously been reviewed by EDRC. On the corner of Sandy Lane and Corkscrew Road – 10 acres. Zoned retail for 92,000 SF. Will consist of 5 bldgs – 2 30,000 SF retail, 2 restaurants in the middle (6,000 SF each) and the strip in the back (20,000 SF). Color scheme remains constant from Phase I. Looking for national tenants with 10 year leases such as Outback. A furniture store or Circuit City type store would fit the 30,000 SF bldgs. No more than 2 tenants for each 30,000 SF bldg. The back strip center would be 1500 SF stores. It was mentioned there would be no visual from Corkscrew Road to Building 11. Did this present a problem? No – anchor tenants would be a draw. Signage – monument signs on outsides and informational sides inside project. It was questioned whether the neighborhood had been able to review, especially regarding the access. Lin stated the neighborhood was comfortable with it. DO will be submitted this week. Going forward with EDRC’s suggestion regarding the lake area. EDRC offered assistance with the County if the Applicant so needed it. Sandy Lane entrance will have royal palms. Intersection corner will be treated with royals. Suggested to put royals along the front also. Open center like the design center. There is no sidewalk along Sandy Lane. Applicant waiting for their traffic impact statement and say that will dictate whether one is needed. EDRC strongly recommends one, but applicant not willing to commit without talking to community behind the project. A question arose as to width of main driving corridor – was it too narrow with cars backing up. Main driving areas will be distinct pavers between the phases. Can usually do sidewalk within the landscape buffer. Was suggested to articulate the corners with mass going up, either internal or external. Accentuate the corners. Need pedestrian interconnect between Phase I and II. Was suggested to have more syntax in building designs – diversity. Encourage creative ways to treat the buffer.

As buildings are leased, agreed to come back for review by EDRC.

Using Spartina into the retention swale so it appears marsh looking into lake.

45 gal. tree min. for Live Oak, Mahogany and Tababuia

Bike racks must be illustrated.

EDRC strongly recommends a sidewalk adjacent to Sandy Lane on the west side of the site (needs to be consistent with adopted overlay). Pedestrian interconnects as currently shown do not meet the requirements of the adopted overlay.

Applicant agreed to accentuate the corners of the buildings.

Applicant agreed to provide additional pedestrian interconnects between Phase I and II, perhaps using some sort of pavers.

EDRC strongly recommends that County Staff allows the Project Landscape Architect maximum flexibility in design with the required front buffering of both Phases I and II. The Buffer applications need not follow the strict letter of code, EDRC prefers greater pedestrian and visual flow into the site.

Full diagnostic and treatment services with hours of 7-7, not a 24 hour, 7-day operation. No inpatient beds. 4-acre piece. 1 block in from Three Oaks and 1 block in from Corkscrew Road. Will build this and sell off the remaining part of the site. Stormwater already planned. Grass parking in front with car stops. Royal palms in front of the building with double hedge. Parking islands should be planted vs. sod. 10% over parking requirements. 200 spaces with the grass spaces included. Parking areas and perimeter edge lit per code minimum. A discussion was held about setting the standard for the lights. Plaza del Sol has lighting standards, but don’t believe it applies to these parcels. Was suggested Plaza del Sol could amend their standards. Suggested vertical plantings could be used around the building. When the size of the windows (small) was mentioned, the architect stated it was necessary due to some of the equipment and some led to examination rooms. Tile capped parapet for drive under feature on south side of building. Mechanical equipment is screened on roof. 2-part color scheme – rusticated stone color. Doors to be Cherokee red. Bronze tinted hurricane resistant glass. Shutters not operable. Tilt-up construction. Too austere. Needs articulation. Pull entry out. Back stair tower needs to be proportionate. Columns for the portico, maybe bases, building needs to be more in scale. Use landscaping where windows can’t be used. Smaller massing, Santa Barbara look. Colors were good. Discussion whether generators would be on side. Possibility for basic equipment, a couple of doctor offices. 100-250 KW, diesel. EDRC needs to know location and where fuel would be stored. Must be enclosed with hard and softscape. Fascias on towers – too small for building size. Arched windows such as in the back stair tower a possibility. Undulate landscaping. Center banding on the front should be dropped to floor level rather than just under windows.

Agreed to mix grass, shrubs and trees in parking islands.

Agreed to 10 gallon 4’ plants in dumpster area.

Suggested to add a base to building.

Cornice very rectangular and flat – will project out.

Add 3 shades trees on either side of the front entrance.

Agreed to S tile or better – not Capri.

Agreed to break roof lines.

Agreed to bring height up in the front center and add roof over the doors.

Agreed to return with revised drawings.

On Corkscrew Road just west off I-75 near the Tire Store and Golf Cart and Hotel. Roof will be terra cotta, S tile. Noted 2 sq. ft. shy of 5000 sf, which means a 30-degree or more pitched roof is necessary. Colors were fine. Signs – back lit neon. Raceway would be same color as building itself.

Applicant agreed to “find” 2 more sq. ft. to avoid pitched roof.

Agreed to 45 gal. trees.

Satin leaf not a good performer – replace with Shady Lady Black Olive.

Agreed to add more sabals within the sabal clusters.

Agreed to change Crape Myrtle to Queen Crape Myrtles.

Noted parking was in front on Corkscrew Road – not allowed by Overlay. Agreed to resend the code to him.

The EDRC board offered its best wishes to Ron Dillon, who has been on the committee since the beginning. He is moving to Bay County March 1 to work for St. Joe Paper Company.