Public Information Meeting
Cell phone tower at Bella Terra
A representative for Broadus Towers described the proposed Bella Terra project as a 148-foot-tall dull gray monopole which will hold antennas for 4 carriers, with Verizon and T-Mobile antennas currently scheduled. The dark tones on the monopole are designed to help minimize visibility and it will be completed dark at night. Landscaping around the facility includes a double hedge row and palm trees.
The applicant stated communication towers are now the primary mode of communication and this project is being proposed to improve wireless service coverage to this growing area including Bella Terra, Wild Blue and The Preserve at Corkscrew. It will be located at 19980 Bella Terra Boulevard in the 12-acre property at the entrance to the community.
Public Comment: 115 eComment cards were placed into the record, and 6 residents spoke, mostly asking questions about the project.
No voting occurs during public information meetings.
Public Hearings
Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club
The applicant was requesting a development order for improvements to the existing clubhouse site. Their plan includes a new paved parking lot and realignment of existing parking spaces and drive aisles, ADA access from the parking lot to the existing clubhouse sidewalk, separated golf cart parking spaces, bike rack areas, and improved pedestrian and staff pathways. Four heritage trees, 3 of which were planted too close to each other and 1 that has been over pruned, will be removed and replaced with 20-foot tall live oak trees between the parking lot and the residences.
Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club is located on the south side of Corkscrew Road, west of RiverCreek.
The Board approved this development order.
Goodwill Industries
The applicant was requesting a development order for the construction of a 21,800 square foot variety store. The entrance to the facility will be from the southeast corner, the building will include two-foot bump outs, trellises, awnings, crown molding, a hip roof with barrel tiles and landscaping all around. The heritage oaks along the northwest side of the site are being preserved; there will be a total of 58 trees on this site.
The project is bounded by Corkscrew Road on the north and Estero Town Commons Place (Lowe’s Plaza) on the east and Three Oaks Parkway on the west. The Goodwill store will be relocated from its current location on the north side of Corkscrew Road, off Arcos Avenue.
Public Comment: 1 resident spoke of his concerns regarding traffic.
The Board approved this application with stipulations and conditions.
Coconut Ford
The applicant was requesting a development order for construction of a Vehicles Service Building with 18 Bays (17 operating Bays and 1 Bay for storage), 14 parking spaces, and related infrastructure behind the existing used vehicle sales center in an existing parking lot. The proposed architecture blends with the existing architecture in this development, including roof type and color, building colors, and architectural features. The applicant had a noise study conducted to determine if this facility’s operations would exceed the sound level limits, which proved to be below the Village’s noise ordinance.
Coconut Ford is located at 22600 & 22604 S. Tamiami Trail.
The Board approved this development order in accordance with the staff report.
Abbiati Dental office building
The applicant was requesting a development order for a 10,000 square foot dental/medical office building, 1,950 square foot of general office, parking, drainage, utilities, monument sign and related infrastructure. The building will be constructed on the eastern portion of the site, with the parking and dumpster located west of the building. The architecture is proposed to be Prairie style.
They are planning solar roof panels, rainwater harvesting, parts of the building will have “green” walls, and they plan to have electric vehicle charging areas.
There will be an 8-foot wall on the back side of the parking area, and the site will be fully landscaped. They are requesting an additional left lane on Fountain Lakes Blvd. to turn into their site as FDOT will not allow them to have their own access as it’s too close to Fountain Lakes Blvd.
The building will be located at 22770 S. Tamiami Trail, adjacent to Fountain Lakes.
Public Comment: 47 eComment cards were placed into the record and 11 residents spoke of their concerns regarding traffic, safety and flooding issues.
Board member Michael Sheeley recused himself. The Board voted to approve the development order with staff conditions.
There is a dispute over access to this site which needs to be resolved by the courts before proceeding with this project.
Estero on the River property
The Village of Estero was applying for a development order for Estero River Park Phase 1 for the construction of a passive recreational park including 72 parking spaces, 7 bike racks, bathroom facilities, utilities, bridge over the Estero River, perimeter fence, drainage, utilities, and related infrastructure. All landscaping in the parking area will be comprised of native plantings.
Access to this site is off of US-41 to the southern end of Highlands Avenue where the parking lot and bathroom will be located north of the Estero River. The existing swing bridge over the river will be removed and replaced with a 10-foot-wide bridge leading to 8-foot-wide walking trails composed of recycled porous rubber. There is a bald eagle management plan in place as there is an eagle’s nest on the southwestern portion of this property.
The area of this development order is less than 6 acres of the total 64 acres of the Village-owned Estero on the River property, which is located at the northeast corner of Corkscrew Road and US 41.
The Board voted to approve this application with stipulations.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website https://estero-fl.gov/agendas/
The next Planning Zoning & Design Board meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m., October 10, 2023.