Lee County Sheriff’s Office April safety & security tip
Sheriff Carmine Marceno offers this safety and security tip for reducing the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime. Criminals are opportunistic. An easy target, a lack of witnesses, a dimly-lit location, a distracted victim all dramatically improve a criminal’s ability to easily commit a crime. One’s best defense is to eliminate or significantly reduce one’s vulnerability. Criminals scout locations where the likelihood of being detected is low. Dark and desolate parking lots, people texting or using heir smartphones, shoppers carrying an armful of items…all examples of creating an ideal opportunity for theft or assault. Be alert and aware of [...]
Three former Councilmembers honored on March 24, 2021
Vice-Mayor Jon McLain (left) and Mayor Katy Errington presented the key to the city to former Councilmembers (second from left) Bill Ribble, Howard Levitan and Nick Batos Three former Councilmembers honored on March 24, 2021 The key to the city and individual resolutions were presented to former Dist. 1 Councilmember Bill Ribble, Dist. 2 Councilmember Howard Levitan and Dist. 6 Councilmember Nick Batos at Wednesday’s meeting. All completed their terms on March 15, 2021. Nick Batos served as Estero’s first Mayor and Howard Levitan served as Estero’s first Vice-Mayor, both from 2015 – 2017; Bill Ribble served as Estero’s Mayor [...]
Katy Errington elected Mayor, Jon McLain elected Vice-Mayor and three new Councilmembers take oath of office on March 17, 2021
The meeting started with a swearing-in ceremony for the three new Councilmembers: District 1, Joanne Ribble; District 2, Larry Fiesel, and District 6, Jim Ward. They were all sworn in by the Honorable Elisabeth Adams, 20th Judicial Circuit Judge. This was followed by the election of the Village’s new Mayor Katy Errington and Vice-Mayor Jon McLain. Former Mayor Bill Ribble held the Bible for his wife Joanne Ribble as she took the oath of office. Mary Fiesel held the Bible for her husband Larry Fiesel as he took the oath of office. Carol Ward held the Bible [...]
Joe’s Fresh Catch, AT&T Cell Tower and The Grove reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Board meeting on March 16, 2021
The Board started their meeting with a public hearing for Joe’s Fresh Catch, a seafood market and café located at 23050 Via Villagio in Coconut Point. They were requesting a license to serve beer and wine to the indoor and outdoor seating area of the café, which is limited to 28 seats. Hours of service will be 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Wednesday, 10 am to 7 pm Thursday through Saturday, and from 10 am to 2 pm Sunday for both indoor and outdoor seating areas. No outdoor entertainment is permitted. Public Comment: 1 eComment card was read [...]
Lee Commissioners award contract for first phase of Corkscrew Road widening
On March 16, 2021, the Lee Board of County Commissioners awarded a contract for the first phase of widening Corkscrew Road east of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to four lanes. The widening project is a top-tier transportation priority for the Board. The first phase will create a six-lane, divided arterial road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway east to Fire House Lane and a four-lane divided arterial road from Fire House Lane east to Bella Terra Boulevard. The project also includes relocation of potable water, reuse and wastewater utilities. The $23.3 million contract is with Lee County-based Cougar Contracting. The roadway will [...]
Estero Crossing’s commercial phase approved with a condition on March 10, 2021
Estero Crossing was applying for a development order for the commercial part of their project, along with their monument signs. The site is located on the south side of Corkscrew Road, 1,000 feet west of the intersection of Corkscrew Road and I-75. The Design Review Board conducted a public hearing for this application and approved it with a condition to add two traditional canopy trees in the buffers on the north side. The overall project consists of 270 multiple-family units, and 60,000 square feet of commercial uses. The commercial portion of this project is a separate parcel located on the [...]
Joe’s Fresh Catch, AT&T Cell Tower and The Grove on the agenda for the Planning & Zoning Board meeting on March 16, 2021
The Board will start their meeting at 5:30 p.m. with a public hearing for Joe’s Fresh Catch request for consumption of alcohol in the café and outdoor seating area. There will then be a public information meeting for the AT&T special exception request to allow a wireless telecommunications facility. They are requesting a variance to allow the construction of a 150-foot monopole 103 feet from the southern property line instead of the required 150-foot setback. The site is 3231 Coconut Road on the property of the Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Lodge. A public information meeting will also be conducted for The [...]
Estero Crossing commercial phase 1 on the agenda for the Design Review Board on March 10, 2021
The Design Review Board will start their meeting at 5:30 p.m. with a public hearing for a Development Order for the commercial portion of Estero Crossing’s Mixed Use Planned Development and monument signs. This 43-acre site (total project size) is located on the south side of Corkscrew Road, 1,000 feet west of the intersection of Corkscrew Road and I-75. The full agenda is available here: https://estero-fl.gov/agendas/ Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, near the entrance to the Estero Community Park. The Council Chambers will be available for public comment, in accordance with social [...]
Planning, Zoning & Design Board members, Estero River and Pavich Center addressed by Council on March 3, 2021
Public Comment on non-agenda items: A representative of the ECCL stated they are working with the County regarding a veterans recognition area at the Estero Community Park; there is a need for an Estero entrance to the Kiker Preserve, and the ECCL will be featuring a speaker at their next meeting talking about Bonita Springs’ bioreactor which cleans the water. The Estero Life Magazine editor invited residents to view their drone video of the Estero Parkway on their website at https://esterolifemagazine.com/. A Pelican Sound resident invited residents to join in the Third Annual River Neighbors Update via Zoom at 3:30 [...]
Applications open for LeeCares 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance Program
As of 8 a.m. today, March 1, 2021, applications are being accepted for the LeeCares 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance Program to help households unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application and full eligibility information is available at http://www.LeeFLcares.com. Residents now renting in unincorporated Lee County, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral and Sanibel can apply at that site. Residents of the City of Fort Myers can apply at a portal established by Fort Myers. A link to the city’s portal is available at http://www.LeeFLcares.com. Anyone who is unsure if their residence is [...]