Public Comment on non-agenda items: A volunteer with the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society gave an update on the River Oaks Preserve at the east end of Broadway Avenue. She stated there have been over 3,000 hours of volunteer service provided at the preserve in the past 8 months and the preserve is up and running following a massive cleanup. They have added a native plant nursery.
Workshop
Eagle’s nest on Corkscrew Road and US 41
Cathy Olson, M.S. CWB, environmental consultant to the Village, provided Council with information on the new eagle’s nest on the Village’s Estero on the River property. The nest is located on the tallest tree on this land, which happens to be an exotic eucalyptus tree.
Olson described how federally protected eagle’s live approximately 15-25 years, pair for life unless their mate dies, and maintain their nest (or two or three) for years. Nesting season ranges from October 1 to May 15. There can be no clearing within 330 – 660 feet of the nest without a qualified eagle monitor, and no parking or hiking within 330 feet of a nest.
The planned removal of exotics from this property, which will not include the eucalyptus tree with the eagle’s nest, will have to be postponed until the end of May.
No voting occurs during workshops.
Action Items
US 41 southern monument sign contract
Council approved a contract with P & T Lawn and Tractor Service LLC to construct and install a Village of Estero monument sign on US 41 at Estero’s southern border. Cost of the contract is $76,968, which includes a 10 percent contingency fee.
Completion of the sign will be contingent upon obtaining FPL power service. Power services have seen extended lead times over the past several months so that may impact the timing of the placement of this sign.
Ordinance 2023-02 – amending land development code
Council approved this second reading and public hearing for an ordinance amending the land development code to establish minimum standards for elevated single-family homes, including modular homes, so that they be esthetically consistent with their neighborhood.
This ordinance addresses adding enclosures at the base of the home to obscure the view of the open area under the structure from surrounding properties. The Planning, Zoning & Design Board recommended the open space between the ground level and the base of the residential structure must be enclosed with an 80% opaque visual barrier on all sides except the rear.
Public Comment: 1 eComment was placed in the record.
Consideration of recreational proposals for the Williams Road property
The Village recently purchased the 20 acres on Williams Road with the idea of providing some active recreation for the community. Rather than developing facilities at the Village’s sole expense as well as incur the on-going maintenance and operational expenses, the Village decided to solicit private proposals for recreational facilities under the Florida Public-Private-Partnership Act.
Village consultant Michael Comparato briefly described the four unsolicited proposals received by the deadline. They include: High 5 Entertainment, Chicken N Pickle, Pickle and Social, and Crystal Lagoons. Information about each of these proposals is available on the Council agenda available here.
The Village may also decide to consider the continued operation of the Golf Coast Driving Range.
Additional information will be available at an upcoming Council meeting.
Public Comment: 4 residents expressed their thoughts about the future of the property. They ranged from keeping the driving range, adding pickleball courts, rugby, and/or soccer to not allowing ax throwing and keeping the amenity free to the public.
No voting occurs during workshops.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website.
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2023.