Meeting Minutes

Public Meeting
September 14, 2005
5:00 P.M.

The Vines Country Club – The Perry Room

Meeting Time: 5:00 P.M.

Members in Attendance: Gordon Lyons, Wayne Robinson, Joe McHarris, Al O’Donnell, Jim Wallace, Bill Prysi

Members Absent: Nancy Cohen, Tom O’Dea

Minutes By: Terri Melna

Meeting called to order.

Approval of the minutes of the August 10th meeting were called for. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and carried unanimously. Minutes were approved with no changes.

Applicant: Outlots at Estero Town Commons

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Eric Strickland, Kite Realty, John Musser and Robert Mitchell, Vanasse & Daylor, Brian Helman, Scott Architects

Discussion:
The outlots will be submitted as three separate development orders (#1&2, #3, and #4&5). Tree preservation areas have been discussed with Lee County and approved. Only one user (the bank on Outlot #3) has been committed. Bank will have a drive-thru. Outlots will include 2 sit down restaurants (Outlots #2 & #5), 1 fast food with drive-thru (Outlot #4) and one drugstore (Outlot #1). Same plant palette will be used as the Shops and Lowes. Corkscrew Road buffering was approved under Phase 1. Minor adjustments were made. Several access points for pedestrians entering from Corkscrew Road. Applicant agreed to return with more definitive plans for architecture. Bank and fast food restaurant are under 5000SF and require 30 degree pitched roofs. Committee felt buildings were too generic – lack of continuity and detailing. Need some of the smaller components which were part of the Shops plans such as roof lines have varying heights. Committee stated a preference for the drive-thrus – don’t want to see cars queued up along Corkscrew Road side. The detention areas contain the same quantity and size of plant material, although they may have been re-arranged. Outlot #5 contains a special public feature with the tree preservation area in the corner of the site and extensive landscaping. Bank building needs more architectural features. Oak trees are being preserve in the detention area. Bottom is at existing grade. More green space is needed on Outlot #1. Look at the walls- may be able to use sabals in the planting areas. Check sight lines in the zoning from Corkscrew Road. Code requires drive-thru have a 75’ setback from Corkscrew Road. Fast food drive-thru should be covered for the entire lane.

Comments/Suggestions:
• Bank and fast food restaurant are under 5000SF and require 30 degree pitched roofs.
• Need some of the smaller components which were part of the Shops plans such as roof lines have varying heights.
• Applicant agreed to add bracketing and articulate heights.
• Bank building needs more architectural features
• More green space is needed on Outlot #1.
• Check sight lines in the zoning from Corkscrew Road.
• Code requires drive-thru have a 75’ setback from Corkscrew Road
• Fast food drive-thru should be covered for the entire lane
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Applicant: Coconut Point Mall

Fee: Not paid

Presentation by: Tom Schneider, Simon & Theresa Artuso, Hole Montes

Discussion:
Update on Coconut Point Mall. DRA approval was given on August 29th for some of the shops and Muvico. Next presentation to EDRC will be at the November 9th meeting – Omni Building which is a retail building. Getting comments on Dillards. Will present graphics and lighting on November 9th. Theresa walked thru the landscape plans. Committee was pleased with the plans.

Comments/Suggestions:
• None
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Applicant: JED’s Plaza Del Sol Parcels A, B & C

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Sam Weeks, SRW Engrg. Inc. and Brad Guarino of JED

Discussion:
Five acre site consists of three parcels at the northeast corner of Corkscrew Road & Three Oaks Parkway. There will be 5 individual users. Will consist of 53,250 SF of retail, office and restaurant uses. There will be two 2-story buildings and three 1-story buildings. This is a tight site. Pedestrian access along Three Oaks Parkway. Requesting variance for parking bays to have 7 individual spaces and a loading dock. Corkscrew Overlay requires 75’ setback and the site is using 35’. Dumpster will be screened with a decorative wall. Water management on a master system. Parking along front side of Corkscrew Road will not work even with screening. Fronts of buildings have a 5’ planting area. Buildings will have an arcade wall in the front. Three live oaks in the corner of the site will be preserved. There is a lift station also in the corner of the site. Intend to plant by wall. Wall has many architectural details. Building placement and wall were discussed to determine if building could be sited differently to move the parking. Applicant is requesting an administrative amendment to lessen the setback along Corkscrew Road. Applicant is hoping a sidewalk will be put on Three Oaks and intends to link with the gates. Turf block should be used in the parking area because of the tree roots. Covering the parking area was discussed but most felt it would make the site feel like it had more intensity. Use landscaping the step between the buildings. Applicant wanted to know if the committee would support the decorative wall in lieu of parking façade within the 75’ buffer. This is an 8’ wall. Because of the uniqueness of the site having a lift station in the corner and with the trees being preserved there, the Committee felt it could support the wall. EDRC also would support a deviation to remove 2 parking spaces. Colors were discussed as being vibrant. Applicant indicated was looking for a high contrast to the green buffering. Trees should be 12-14’, 45 gallon.

Comments/Suggestions:
• Recommended to put in turf block.
• Because of the uniqueness of the site having a lift station in the corner and with the trees being preserved there, the Committee felt it could support the wall. EDRC also would support a deviation to remove 2 parking spaces.
• Trees should be 12-14’, 45 gallon.
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Applicant: Classic Car Wash

Fee: Not Paid

Presentation by: Gene Allison

Discussion:
This is a return project. Car wash is built across from library. Presented the colors, signs and has a terra cotta tile roof with the bigger profile as requested by the EDRC.

Comments/Suggestions:
• The committee was pleased
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Applicant: Corkscrew Road Water Plant Deep Injection Well

Fee: Not Paid

Presentation by: Rick Diaz, Lee County

Discussion:
Added fichus. 1-1-1/2 years before this will be done. Hope to plant in February or March. Agreed to send color photos to EDRC. Placement of fence was discussed. Neal Noethlich suggested a meeting with Don DeBerry to discuss.

Comments/Suggestions:
• Agreed to send color photos to EDRC.
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Applicant: Paradise Shops of Estero

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Shellie Johnson, Barraco & Assoc., Bruce Gora Architect and David Salko from WCI

Discussion:
This consists of Phase II. Part of a 23 acre mixed planned development. Meets design guidelines for Paradise Shops. Internal buffers were used. Enhanced building perimeter planting. Used architectural features such as up and down of the parapets, full roofs, arched crown parapets, canopies, arched openings, banding, perimeter sidewalk planters varying in height, outdoor seating. Will use royals and foxtails in front. Cabbage and thatched palms will be used on the sides and rear. Suggestion made to articulate the center point element. Rear has a chain link fence by the truck well, but no objections to this since it is hidden by landscaping. Site has 442 parking spaces while only 326 are required. Applicant stated because of the restaurant use, wanted more parking spaces to accommodate their needs. Committee felt more green space should be used in lieu of the extra parking. Use canopy trees in the islands. Applicant agreed to take this under review. Will have a sidewalk promenade out to US41. Suggestion to use viburnum rather than ixoras by the truck well – color is not needed there.

Comments/Suggestions:
• Articulate the center point element.
• Committee felt more green space should be used in lieu of the extra parking. Use canopy trees in the islands. Applicant agreed to take this under review.
• Suggestion to use viburnum rather than ixoras by truck well.
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Applicant: WCI Headquarters Site

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Mike Delate, Grady Minor

Discussion:
This site is located at the intersection of US 41 and Coconut Road near Walden Center Drive. Site consists of a 4 acre parcel zoned for office. Will consist of a 122,000 SF, 6-story administrative building and a 4-story parking garage. There is an FPL easement which will have some parking. Entry will be pavers, handicap parking will be provided, native canopy trees will be used. Fountain with covered parking and trellis for guest parking area. Building architectural features will include shadowing, step backs, arched roof. Applicant indicated he felt architectural style was classic corporate. Committee explained code says Mediterranean is the preferred style in Estero. Discussion ensued as to whether Mediterranean was only in the Overlay District or all of Estero. Hyatt was pre-code. Must be compatible with buildings around you. Coconut Point and the outparcels which are as yet undeveloped will all be Mediterranean. This building is not consistent and not Mediterranean. Committee liked the site plan. Neale Montgomery, attorney for WCI, quoted Section 34.10.2 as “distinguished, pleasing, subjective” architecture. Building height is 93’. Plummer & Associates are doing a traffic impact statement. Applicant indicated WCI had provided many of the improvements to Coconut Road; however, the costs were passed on to Pelican Landing residents. Setback from US 41 is approximately 1200’ or ¼ mile off US 41. 300’ between the condos across the lake. Elks Lodge behind the site is 1-story. Applicant applying for Silver Lead certification. Three out of six committee members felt the building should be changed to be Mediterranean and when the Estero community residents were polled, they a majority by a show of hands felt the building architecture should be changed to Mediterranean. Parking garage will be architecturally pleasing with windows, grill work, trellises. Intend to use vines for a green barrier. “Transitional massing” between Elks Club and parking garage should be used. Applicant indicated they felt a tile roof would not be hurricane resistant. Applicant agreed to look at other design solutions and try to reach some common ground with the Committee.

Comments/Suggestions:
• Mediterranean architecture should be used for the building.
• Transitional massing between Elks Club and parking garage.
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Applicant: Burger King

Fee: Paid

Presentation by: Juvenal Blanco

Discussion:
This is a return project. Having difficulties with the roof due to exhaust fans and equipment. Using parapets to hide and added a small tile roof. Has 3000 SF and cannot use a full peaked roof due to the equipment required. Committee felt towers could be used and to make the tower higher than indicated on the presented plan. Will not have a covered drive-thru due to lack of room. Committee requested band at ground level be larger. Applicant requested to mail a color version to the committee members as the EDRC does not want to hold up his DO process.

Comments/Suggestions:
• Higher tower
• Agreed to mail color version to committee members
• The committee and the applicant reached a compromise
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Applicant: Picaya Bay

Fee: Not Paid

Presentation by: Bill Prysi, Conceptus

Discussion:
This site is being detensified. Located next to Arbys. North side of Corkscrew Road. Wide ditch in front. Has gopher tortoise preserve in rear of site. Has a wall to buffer the residents to the west side. Has 2 buildings – a 1-story in the front consisting of 6000 SF and a 2-story in the rear having 19,388 SF. Parking is located to the back of the front building. Preserve areas were enlarged and oak trees are being preserved. Architectural features include tile roofs, banding, entrance arch to the building with a metal, barreled porte cashier for weathered entries. Trees should be 12-14’, 45 gallon. Pedestrian access to the Arbys was discussed. Because there is a swale between the sites, perhaps Arbys could be approached to have a bridge across?

Comments/Suggestions:
• Trees should be 12-14’, 45 gallon.
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