Public Hearings

Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, Inc., were requesting approval of outdoor alcoholic beverages service to patrons seated in two patio areas.

The interior renovation plans for the restaurant include a total of 8,080 square feet of interior space with a bar, lounge, bakery, dining and back of the house operational areas.  The exterior area, 1,620 square feet is comprised of the two outdoor covered patios with railing and landscape planters.

The restaurant is scheduled to open for business on August 22 and is located at 23106 Fashion Drive in Coconut Point Mall.

Public Comment: 1 eComment was placed into the record.

The Board voted to approve this application with staff conditions, including serving of alcoholic beverages between 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily for both indoor and outdoor seating, and outdoor music volume must be limited to a conversational level.

Genova gate access

Genova was requesting an amendment to its zoning conditions to modify the guard gate access from a manned gate to an automated “virtual” gate on Via Coconut Point.

A representative of Envera described their virtual guard security system and how they handle the stacking of cars.

Public Comment: 4 eComments were placed into the record.  Five Genova residents spoke, some in favor and some against the applicant’s proposal.

The Board voted to approve this application with staff conditions.

Culver’s at Coconut Point

The applicant was seeking approval of a development order for approximately 4,052 and 4,000 square feet in two commercial buildings with associated parking, landscaping, monument sign, and stormwater management.  The two buildings include a Culver’s (4,052 SF) with two-lane drive thru, and a future separate retail building #2 (4,000 SF).

They will have a covered patio space, double door covered entrance, enhanced landscaping, a monument sign located by US 41 and a bus stop for Lee Tran.  The total project area is 2.3 acres located at the southeast corner of US 41 and Pelican Colony Boulevard, just north of Extra Space Storage.

The Board voted to approve this application.

Villages of Country Creek

The applicant was requesting approval of a limited development order for pickleball on one tennis court at The Villages at Country Creek clubhouse during certain hours of the day until 8 pm. The clubhouse is located interior to the development.

Public Comment: 100 eComment cards were placed into the record with 75 against this proposal.  Seven Country Creek residents spoke, with four against this proposal.

The Board voted to deny this application due to the proximity of the nearest homes and adjacent amenities.

Public Information Meetings

Wawa

Representatives for Wawa are proposing to build a 5,537-square foot convenience store with 12 fueling stations on the Ruby Tuesday lot in the Estero Town Commons on Corkscrew Road, also known as the Lowes Plaza.

They plan to keep the existing right in only on the east entrance with full access from the south entrance to their site. They described improvements they plan for parking, signage, and the trash enclosure.  There will be landscaping around the entire building and they plan to be operating 24 hours a day.

No voting occurs during public information meetings.

Camargo North

The applicant will be rezoning the property to allow a maximum of 219 multi-family residential apartment units on the 11- acre parcel located on the north side of Pelican Sound Drive.

Their plans include two three-story buildings with courtyards and open space.  There will be a separate amenity building with a public civic plaza, landscape improvements, water features, pergola and decorative pavement.

Public Comment: 1 eComment card was placed into the record and nine residents spoke in opposition to this application.

No voting occurs during public information meetings.

Coconut Point Ford

Representatives for Coconut Point Ford presented their plans for a new one-story vehicle service building with 18 bays, 14 parking spaces and related infrastructure to replace an existing paved parking lot. The architecture will match the original existing buildings.  The building will be hidden by the landscaping.

The Board requested they include information about noise abatement in their presentation when they return.

No voting occurs during public information meetings.

Public Comment on non-agenda items: A resident asked questions about stipulations regarding pickleball.

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., August 8, 2023.