The meeting started with an update of the River Oaks Preserve by Marlene Rodak with the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. She described how this all-volunteer group has put in over 6,200 hours working to remove exotics, restore gopher tortoise habitat, add electricity, well water, a composting bathroom and secure storage. Their objective is to maintain this property in its natural state and encourage residents to use native landscaping.
Th Village-owned preserve located at the end of Broadway Avenue East is now open on Sundays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The primary reason the Village acquired this land was to create a new stormwater pond and bypass ditch going around Country Creek to prevent backups and flooding during future major storm events. The property contains old oak hammocks, pine and palm trees and serves the public as a passive park.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: 1 resident spoke of his concerns regarding distracted driving and the danger to bicyclists with the lack of traffic enforcement. 1 resident congratulated the Village Manager for his participation in a panel discussion on Estero’s future, and expressed what he described as citizens’ concerns about short notification of planned developments which are to be presented to the PZDB. 1 resident spoke of the annual Christmas Light Up Estero event on December 2 and how the RotaKids Club and Rotary Interact Club of Three Oaks Middle School are working together with Estero Fire Rescue to gather toys for children and Interfaith Charities of South Lee to gather pet food and supplies.
Estero Entertainment Center construction management services RFP
Entertainment District
Council approved the ranking of construction management firms as recommended by the Village’s selection committee to help the Village build the site/civil improvements for the Estero Entertainment District. The firms were ranked as follows: 1 – Wright Construction, 2 – Seagate, 3 – Manhattan, 4 – Brooks & Freund. The Village staff was authorized to negotiate a contract with the top ranked firm Wright Construction, which will manage construction of the entire project. The final contract will be brought back to the Council for approval at a future Council meeting.
Sandy Lane design and permitting contract change order
Sandy Lane
The Village’s consultant Atkins requested a change order to complete the design and permitting for the proposed path, landscaping, and street lighting along Sandy Lane. The additional amount is $159,754.77 to gain Florida Department of Transportation approval as required by the State grant, and design decorative railings at the bridge approaches and drop hazards, and design of a wall to separate the path from the Groves’ ponds as well as additional funding and scope related to services included in the original contract.
Council approved this contract change order.
Ordinance 2023-08 amending the Land Development Code to correct parking standards for hotel use
The Village’s Land Development Code was adopted in January 2021. The Code contains provisions in Chapter 5 relating to parking requirements. Upon further review, staff discovered a scrivener error where the parking calculation for hotel/motel was transposed in the Code. The correct number is 1.2 spaces per hotel room.
There was a first reading of this ordinance. A second reading and public hearing is scheduled for December 6 2023.
Ordinance 2023-09 amending the Land Development Code to revise standards for daycare centers
The Village’s Land Development Code was adopted in January 2021. The Code contains provisions in Chapter 4 relating to child day care centers. After review, it was discovered that the calculation for outdoor play area was substantially more restrictive than the State requirements. As such, staff recommends the 75-square-foot requirement per child be removed from the Code, with a reference to a 45-square-foot requirement instead.
There was a first reading of this ordinance. A second reading and public hearing is scheduled for December 6 2023.
Ordinance 2023-03 amending the Land Development Code to revise standards for detached residential garages.
The Village’s Land Development Code was adopted in January 2021. The Code contains a provision pertaining to the size of residential accessory garages. Upon further review, staff is suggesting additional changes relating to a maximum height for garages in certain residential zoning districts.
This was the second reading and public hearing for this ordinance. Council approved this ordinance with changes recommended by the Planning, Zoning & Design Board.
Workshop
Williams Road sports park update
Michael Comparato, Vieste, LLC, gave an update on the Williams Road Sports Park located north Williams Road and east of Via Coconut Point, known as the Estero Entertainment District. This is where the Village is planning a recreational and sports entertainment facility for a public private partnership with Chicken N Pickle and High 5.
A public information meeting was held in April and there have been a number of Focus Group meetings to solicit public input pertaining to this property.
Chicken N Pickle will provide both indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces along with a fast casual restaurant. The project will include 12-17 outdoor and 6 indoor pickleball courts, 3 indoor private event spaces and a game yard with lawn games, firepits and bier gardens.
The High 5 Entertainment Center is proposed to consist of two floors of indoor/outdoor entertainment space including 16 full-size USBC bowling lanes, 8 lanes of duckpin bowling, bocce, 18-holes of outdoor miniaturized golf, axe throwing, immersive laser tag, arcade and virtual reality and escape rooms. There also will be space for events and celebrations.
There is space for a third partnership agreement on the property, and Vieste will be considering proposals and bringing back recommendations to Council.
Phase 1 of the project calls for clearing the property, excavating the pond, filling the entire site and building perimeter berms. Phase 2 will include site construction consisting of parking, roadways, sidewalks, utilities, storm drains, landscaping and lighting. This work is anticipated to start in January 2024. Targeted opening date is December 2024 or very early 2025.
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, December 6, 2023.