The Board started their meeting with a public information meeting for a free-standing, fast food restaurant with drive-thru on a vacant parcel at the Estero Town Commons, otherwise known as the Lowes Plaza.
The applicant stated the building will be a 2800-square foot, high-end coffee shop with a 25-foot landscape buffer along Corkscrew Road.
No voting occurs during public information meetings.
Public Hearing
Corkscrew Pines self-storage
Corkscrew Pines self-storage infrastructure
The applicant is proposing to construct the backbone infrastructure with associated landscaping, drainage, reverse frontage road, and utilities.
The application initially included a 7-Eleven convenience store, gas station and car wash which have been eliminated from the application. The applicant plans to meet with the Stoneybrook CDD to review alternate projects to the gas station.
The 12+ acre project is bounded by Corkscrew Road on the north, Stoneybrook Golf Drive on the west, Fire House Lane on the east, and the Pinewoods Elementary School on the south. There will be entrances from Corkscrew Road and Stoneybrook Golf Drive.
Public Comment: 4 residents spoke, questioning the proposal and expressing concerns about landscaping.
The Board voted to approve this application with conditions.
Workshops
Corkscrew Pines self-storage
Corkscrew Pines self-storage
The applicant was requesting review of the proposed architecture of three storage buildings totaling approximately 150,000 square feet.
The applicant has reduced the width of the building fronting Corkscrew Road to 530 feet and added architectural features to make it appear that there are two distinct buildings. The Spanish Mission design elements include painted faux windows, pitched roof at the corners, and Spanish style roofs with dental tooth accents underneath.
The 12+ acre project is bounded by Corkscrew Road on the north, Stoneybrook Golf Drive on the west, Fire House Lane on the east, and the Pinewoods Elementary School on the south. There will be entrances from Corkscrew Road and Stoneybrook Golf Drive.
The Board commented that the paint colors were too similar and there is a lack of undulation in the buildings.
No voting occurs during workshops.
Downtown Estero residential
Building 1 South elevation
The applicant is preparing their development order for a mixed planned development on a 34-acre site located on the east side of US 41, north of Broadway and east of Broadway Shops. The development will include 300 residential units in three- and four-story buildings, which also will include retail space.
Representatives for this new development described the architecture as Mediterranean Revival. The towers will be unique in each building and the mechanical services will be on the roof. The maintenance building will be behind gates. Access and infrastructure will be provided via an internal spine road and there will be a community park and dog park.
Public Comment: A neighboring resident expressed concerns about noise coming from this development. The applicant pointed out that there is an existing indigenous preserve between the adjacent community and Downtown Estero. They also will be adding a buffer along the adjoining property.
The Board commented on the paint colors and the importance of the streetscape, including the resident’s mailboxes.
No voting occurs during workshops.
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., April 11, 2023.