Meeting MinutesESTERO DESIGN
REVIEW COMMITTEE
Public Meeting
May 10, 2006
5:00 P.M.
The Rapallo Clubhouse
Meeting Time: 5:00 P.M.
Members in Attendance: Gordon Lyons, Al O’Donnell, Jim Wallace, Tom
O’Dea, Bill Prysi, Wayne Robinson,
Joe McHarris, Nancy Cohen
Minutes By: Terri Melna
Meeting called to order.
Approval of the minutes of the April 12th meeting were called for. A
motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and carried unanimously.
Minutes were approved with no changes.
OLD BUSINESS
Committee reported on a meeting held with Tom Schneider of Simon. Other
attendees included certain community reps, Tom O’Dea from EDRC and Don
Eslick. The difference in the landscaping of the buffer along US 41 was
discussed. The Committee is looking for continuity along this stretch since
it is under the same DRI. If the community is not happy with the
landscaping, the Committee would expect Simon to step up to the bat and do
something about it. Rick Joyce and Becky Sweigert of Lee County Community
Development were at the meeting. Becky was heavily involved in the review.
Tom Schneider has indicated to the County that some items which were on the
plans had been omitted and he has agreed to have this rectified. The
difference in the landscaping may have been done on purpose so that the mall
would be different, but this could not be verified. EDRC agrees sight line
are needed; however, does not like the slash pines on the berm. Rick Joyce
indicated the mall was not using the quantity of plants and shrubs that
Rapallo did.
Rapallo has 3 to 4 times the number of shrubs. The mall is using a 5’
mulched bed with shrubs. Rapallo used mid-story shrubs and gave it a
terraced look. Rick suggested the mall could use additional lower growing
shrubs with a wider berm and some mid-story shrubs. Sabal palms are not
clustered, but are soldiered. Al O’Donnell has done a on-site inspection of
the problem area. He feels the trees do not meet the requested code size of
45 gallon. Additional sabals added to the existing groups and mid-story
shrubs amongst the sabals were suggested. Hole Montes has agreed to price
what it will take to add these items. A discussion was held whether Simon
should amend their DO. Some members felt the landscaping should be
documented formally rather than just having additional materials planted. A
CC inspection has been done and the landscaping is DO minimum. Rick Joyce
did indicate he felt the yellow ixoras were not healthy and that Simon
should have a warranty on their landscaping. Everyone should remember that
Rapallo has been planted and growing for quite some time while the Simon
landscaping has just been planted. It was decided to discuss this issue with
Tom Schneider when he returns to town. The County also indicated that they
would discuss it with him. The Committee indicated that if the installed
landscape does not represent the landscape design presented by the Developer
to the EDRC, then the Coconut Point D.O. should be amended to reflect the
design committed to by the Developer.
Applicant: Coconut Point CP Tract 3D
Fee: Return project – previously paid
Presentation by: Peter Flood
Discussion:
Wayne Robinson did the landscape project of this project. DO level landscape
plans were shown. Some areas will be upgraded from the minimum code level.
The lakes were under the Area 3 DO. Back side of project has the railroad
tracks. Will design a natural buffer by the tracks, planting small and dense
and letting it grow. Project has pedestrian connectivity with the sidewalks.
Pool area will be buffered. An 8’ rock waterfall feature is being added to
the pool area. Added the plantings between the driveways as suggested by the
Committee. Sandy Lane buffering has been done per the zoning, using live
oaks. The lakes are 25’ from ROW and per the zoning, had to have guardrails.
Applicant will address wayward guardrails. Trash area will have walls and
shrubs. Agreed to show Committee their enhanced plan sets. The Sandy Lane
enhanced buffer will be part of the DO plan set.
Fee: Return project – previously paid
Presentation by: Mark Drew, AIM Engrg.
Discussion:
Applicant indicated driveway now screened and additional trees were added to
the back side, flat roof is now sloped on the US 41 side and over back door
and drive-thru. Building is 4400SF. Applicant indicated the rear elevation
parapet is high enough to hide all the equipment. Committee still not happy
with the roof – it is not peaked. Applicant should change the pitch so as to
get the roof peaked over the eating areas. The back side over the kitchen
can be flat to accommodate equipment. The overhang areas appear to be
clipped and too tight. Need to create shadows and more Mediterranean flare.
Applicant given the
Bank of America
elevation as an example. Agreed to return next month. Already in for DO with
County.
Fee: Paid
Presentation by: Kai Fuhrmann, Harper Aiken Partners & Art Castellanos,
Staff Architect for School District of Lee County
Discussion:
This is currently a maintenance facility and the Applicant is looking to
upgrade. Located at the northwest corner by the Estero High School. 10± acre
parcel. Already have fueling station and bus parking on the site. Want to
double the size to have parking for 200 buses and 275 cars, along with
maintenance facility, bus wash. Phase 1 will cover site work and bus wash
and fueling area. Phase 2 will cover the maintenance facility, but no date
has been given as they are waiting on funding for Phase 2. To the north of
the site is wetlands. The south side has portables containing driver’s
lounge and restrooms until the permanent facility is built. Have a Type A
buffer along the west side of project. School is located to the east and a
park on the west side. Committee requested applicant commit to an opaque
barrier consisting of an eight foot high wall between the west side and park
areas. The required code needs to be looked at. Section 33 gives the
required tree sizes. There is an agreement between the County and the School
Board and school board sites do not have to abide by all the same rules. The
County only looks at the open spacing, indigenous and buffers. They do not
look at the internal areas, only the perimeter. Applicant did indicate the
parking would also be used for event parking for the school and park.
Committee asked Applicant to consider doing code minimum landscaping since
this was to be a shared parking area along with an opaque barrier along the
entire west and south sides. Sabals could be planted in the islands.
Applicant indicated the School District doesn’t have enough people to
maintain landscaping. Committee would like to see Phase 2 building in more
detail as it doesn’t look to be aesthetically pleasing. This is to be a
prototype facility. Committee referenced the Applicant to their May 2nd
submittal letter wherein they stated “…constructed to met the current
stringent requirements of the School District as well as meeting the design
standards and aesthetics of the community.”, “a visually pleasing
appearance”, “a wide landscaped buffer zones are being provided” and
“designed aesthetically to co-exist with the adjacent public park…”.
Applicant will take the Committee comments back to his superiors. Committee
did request the Applicant return. The proposed building does not address
basic county standards or any of the requirements of Chapter 33. The
proposed landscape was not acceptable to the EDRC for it did not address the
impact this facility will have on the community. Committee requested the
Applicant to return to address the issues that were discussed. The EDRC felt
that this Application did not address the communities concerns or the
requirements of Chapter 33.
Fee: Paid
Presentation by: Karen Anderson, Architectural Design Collaborative, Inc.
Discussion:
This building is part of the Paradise Shoppes development and will use the
same colors as the rest of the development. They are ready for submitting
their DO. Located at the corner of Williams Rd. and US 41 next to the
Walgreens. Located on Parcel 6.
Site has provided pedestrian sidewalks to adjacent parcels as well as
interconnecting roads. This is a mixed use property. Building is 31’ high.
Signs will be back lit channelized lighting. Three different monument sign
options were shown to the Committee. The committee recommends using a 2’
high pedestal stone base for the monument sign and to incorporate some of
the architectural features on the sign which the Applicant agreed to
provide. Applicant agreed to email or FedEx the plans for the monument sign
to the Committee for review. A drive-thru will have an ATM and there will
also be an ATM located in an interior vestibule. Building has corbels and
appliqués. Applicant agreed to email or FedEx the plans for the monument
sign to the Committee for review. Re landscaping along the US 41 side – it
appears that most of the plants are being located on the back side of the
berm. Request made to bring some of the shrubs on top of or in front of the
berm. Agreed. Applicant was referred to Chapter 33 for building perimeter
landscaping. Internal landscape areas need to be planted per Chapter 33 (not
sodded). Dumpster and internal landscaping should be consistent with the
Overlay requirements. A bike rack is needed. West buffer has a wall and
Committee recommended adding some shrubs on the inside of this wall. Outside
of the wall has minimum code level plantings. Committee indicated they would
provide DO letter.
No show
Fee: Paid
Presentation by: Jim Wallace, Touchtone at Rapallo
Discussion:
This is an initial presentation to make sure the project is going in the
right direction. They are under contract for the adjacent property. Mr.
Wallace indicated there were multiple versions of each building. This will
have a live/work component as well as a mixed-use component. Everything
shown was represented as conceptual. Open courtyards will be part of the
project. A 460± seat performing art center (18600 SF) will be the
cornerstone of the site. Project will also have an amphitheater. Garages
will be alley-loaded and will be using “The Lane” as a street. Units will
range from 1000-4000 SF living area. Project will offer diverse price ranges
as well as sizes of units. Much of the parking will be under roof. Applicant
requested the Committee think about event banners on the buildings – would
he be able to do these. The banners would not be retail advertising; but
rather to announce events. Committee was impressed by the project and stated
they felt the project was going in the right direction.
Applicant: Review Request from JED
for Review Agreement
Discussion:
The Committee received a letter from Brad Guarino of the
Coconut Crossings
project requesting approval for JED to review their projects, making a
similar request to that which Simon has over the
Coconut Point project. JED
would review the DRG proposals and report to the EDRC at their meetings.
Presentation of individual projects would not be required as part of this
agreement and JED would agree to provide quarterly updates to EDRC. The
Committee felt that the review process was given to the EDRC and they should
be responsible to fulfill their commitments to the Community; therefore,
this request is denied. A letter will be sent to JED so indicating.
Old Business
Reconsider Review Agreement with
Coconut Point Developers
The County is not entirely happy with developers reviewing their own
projects. Wayne Robinson and Joe McHarris both participate as reviewers for
Oakbrook Property, as well as a representative from Oakbrook, and Hole
Montes who does the engineering. Wayne and Joe both indicated they are tough
on their reviews. A comment was made that these developer reviews are not
public meetings where the public can have their input whereas the EDRC
meetings are public. Committee expressed displeasure at what has happened
with the landscaping at Coconut Point and with Dillard's being an
architectural misfit in the midst of a Mediterranean style development. The
DRG process was part of the zoning. This issue is being tabled until next
month to give all parties time to investigate the issues and processes.
Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting: Next EDRC Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2006
5:00 P.M. at The
Rapallo Clubhouse
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