Public Information Meetings

Estero River Park

The Board started their meeting reviewing the proposed first phase of the Estero River Park.  Plans include an access drive, 85 parking spaces, bike racks and Old Florida-styled restrooms on the north side of the Estero River.  The restrooms will be hooked into the nearby utility.  There will be a bridge crossing the river to the 8 foot ADA-accessible, porous multi-use paths on the southern side of the river. Decorative fencing will be on the perimeter of the park at US 41 and Corkscrew Road, with a chain-link fence on the eastern railroad side of the property.

A couple of bald eagles are nesting in one of the trees on this site, so any work in that area will be delayed until after the eaglets fledge.

Public Comment: A resident suggested they use crushed stone for the path and use the same decorative fencing on the bridge over the river.

No voting occurs during public information meetings.

Woodfield Estero

Woodfield Estero Phase 1

The applicant is proposing a rezoning to allow for 596 residential dwelling units, as well as office, retail, restaurants, a hotel, amenity center and civic uses.  There will be a pedestrian street serving as a restaurant row, a large central green with an outdoor stage that will be used to host events and a 3,000 sq. ft. civic building.  There will be two entrances to the development on US 41 and two from Coconut Road, along with on-street parking as well as 4 parking garages.  The preserve areas adjacent to Marsh Landing and Coconut Shores will be retained.

They are planning to build this development in four phases.  The first phase includes a hotel, retail/dining, parking garages, 274 residential units and a 15,000 sq. ft. amenity center.   Most of the buildings will be 3 – 4 stories, except for the hotel which will be at 75 ft.

Public Comment: 1 eComment card was placed in the record.  Four residents spoke of their concerns pertaining to traffic, surface water and proposed border adjacent to Coconut Shores.

No voting occurs during public information meetings.

Goodwill Industries

Representatives for Goodwill Industries described plans for a “variety” store with drive-thru donation center at the southeast corner of Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway in the Estero Town Commons, also known as the Lowes Plaza.  They stated they have outgrown their facility on the north side of Corkscrew Road.

The color of the building is a beige/white with decorative tile roofs and brown trim and includes trellises with plant materials.  They plan to preserve much of the existing heritage oak tree border along the corner of Three Oaks Parkway and Corkscrew Road as well as add additional landscaping.  They plan a public plaza with benches and bike racks.  The Board suggested they add some architectural enhancement to the back of the building.

No voting occurs during public information meetings.

Public Hearings

Estero Eyebuild at Corkscrew Palms

The applicant was requesting a development order for a two-story medical and general office building in the office park known as Corkscrew Palms Commerce Center at 9441 Corkscrew Palms Circle.  They plan to have medical offices on the second floor and future tenant space on the first floor.

The proposed architecture blends with the existing architecture in the Center, including roof type and color, and building colors.  They have added a cupola with arched windows and lights on the building.  They plan 70 parking spaces, including handicap parking.

Public Comment: A resident from an adjacent medical facility expressed concerns about parking issues in this office park.

The Board voted to approve this application with or without the added cupola.

Village initiated rezoning

The Board voted to continue this issue.

Ordinance 2023-02 – Standards for elevated single-family homes

There was a discussion regarding this ordinance to add minimum standards for development of elevated single-family homes, including modular homes, so that they still fit in with their neighborhood.

Last November, the Village adopted updated floodplain regulations which included new FEMA maps. These maps revised floodplain areas and increased required elevations in certain areas.  These new regulations result in additional fill needed, or raising homes on stilts to meet flood elevation requirements.

This ordinance addresses adding enclosures at the base of the home fronting the road. The enclosure could be walls, driveways and/or landscaping.

Public Comment: 1 eComment was placed into the record.  A resident spoke asking the Board to understand the challenges facing the residents affected by this ordinance.

The Board voted to recommend Council approve this ordinance with a change to the wording to read: the enclosure should be an 80 percent opaque barrier wall on all sides but the rear side of the building.

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., March 14, 2023.