Left to right: Vice-Mayor Katy Errington, Ben Allen and Mayor Bill Ribble shown presenting the “key to the city” to Ben Allen. In the background are Councilmembers Jon McLain, Nick Batos and Jim Boesch. Missing from the picture are Councilmembers Howard Levitan and Jim Wilson who were attending the meeting on Zoom.
Council started their meeting by presenting the “key to the city” to Estero resident and country music performer Ben Allen. Allen is the singer and rhythm guitarist for the Ben Allen Band. He gained national fame this fall when he was a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.” The competition started with 40,000 people, then narrowed to 40 people auditioning to appear on The Voice. Allen’s performance took him all the way to the Top 9. Allen and the band perform at local clubs and restaurants across Southwest Florida.
Estero Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan for Future Growth and Impact
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy reviewed the Estero Chamber of Commerce’s strategic plan for future growth and impact along with a request for financial support in the amount of $25,000.
Given the strong role of the Chamber in the Village in support of Estero’s business community, their focus on economic development, and the strong support provided the community during the COVID pandemic, Council approved this request. (2021 proposed Chamber budget)
Ordinance 2020-11 – Traffic signal at Corkscrew Road and Puente Lane
There was a first reading of this ordinance for Estero Crossing relating to a traffic signal at Corkscrew Road and Puente Lane. Stock Development plans to develop their property on 43 acres east of the Lowe’s plaza on the south side of Corkscrew Road, and recently submitted a development order for the commercial site and the reverse frontage road.
As part of the zoning approval, there was a condition that Stock pay a proportionate share of the cost of the traffic signal. Stock has requested the zoning language be amended to allow them to pay their share, but remove the stipulation of the traffic signal being operational, and retaining language that the reverse frontage road must be complete before they can be issued any certificate of compliance for development. (Ordinance)
Council voted to move this to a second reading and public hearing on January 20, 2021.
Ordinance No. 2021-01 – Capital Improvement Program
Florida law requires the Village to include its five-year Capital Improvement Plan within the Capital Improvement Element of the Comprehensive Plan and update it on an annual basis. The law also requires the Capital Improvement Plan approved by the local school district to be included in the Plan.
Updates to the Capital Improvement Plan can be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan annually by ordinance and are not required to undergo the State review process typically required for comprehensive plan amendments. The most recent school district Capital Improvement Plan will also be included. Please note that the Village Council does not approve the Lee County School District Work Plan.
Council voted to pass this first reading and set the second reading for January 20, 2021. (Ordinance)
Firestone Complete Auto Care Rezoning Case
Council voted to continue the second reading of Ordinance 2020-09 to February 3, per the applicant’s request.
Ordinance 2020-07 – annexed property on Coconut Road
There was a second reading of Ordinance 2020-07 which is an amendment to the comprehensive plan to add Coconut Landing to the future land use map. This is a 10-acre parcel, voluntarily annexed to the Village in January 2020. It is located one mile west of US 41 on the north side of Coconut Road, east of El Dorado Acres.
Council voted to adopt this ordinance. (Ordinance)
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website http://estero-fl.gov/council/watch-meetings-online/
The next Council meeting will be a workshop at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 13, 2021.