Front: Mayor Jon McLain, Stephanie English
Back: Councilmembers Larry Fiesel, Lori Fayhee, Rafael Lopez,
Vice Mayor Joanne Ribble, Councilmembers Jim Ward & George Zalucki
The meeting started with Mayor Jon McLain presenting a proclamation in honor of the late Leonard “Scotty” Wood III to his wife Stephanie English. Scotty had served a total of 9 years on the Planning, Zoning & Design Board and as chairman from 2020 to 2024. He also had been an active volunteer within the Estero community for many years.
Public comment on non-agenda items: A resident recommended the speed limit on US41 be reduced.
Action Items
Estero Sports Park
Estero Sports Park – multi use fields
Carlos Perez, PLA Principal Perez Planning + Design, LLC, and Cristobal Betancourt, PLA, AICP/Weston and Sampson presented an updated concept plan of the Sports Park Campus Master Plan following the two resident meetings conducted in November.
Some of the topics covered included vehicular circulation and parking, pedestrian and bicycle paths, community gathering areas and amenities, and school sports facilities.
The park will provide opportunities for numerous sports activities including field hockey, football, softball, baseball, lacrosse, tennis and a driving range. There will be a path around the perimeter of the lake with a boardwalk and picnic pavilion. The main entrance will be on Via Coconut Point, with another entrance on Williams Road.
The team will be presenting to the Planning, Zoning & Design Board in January and plan to present again to Council for final approval on January 22.
S&P Global Bond Rating
The Village of Estero was recently notified it received a AAA S&P Global Bond Rating.
The AAA rating is widely considered the gold standard when it comes to bond quality (highest rating) and demonstrates a strong capacity to meet financial commitments. Estero is one of only 12 other municipalities in Florida to earn this high of a rating, placing Estero in the top 3 percent in the state.
The Village currently has no debt but this rating would allow Estero to have the best interest rate if it should wish to take out a loan to fulfill capital improvement projects.
This bond rating reaffirms that Estero is leading in responsible governance and the Village’s economy is continuing to grow and thrive.
First Reading
Ordinance 2024-14 – Coconut Trace
Coconut Trace
This is an amendment to the commercial zoning for one lot in the approximately 25-acre commercial subdivision known as Coconut Trace, located on US 41, west of Lyden Drive and east of Marsh Landing. The site is currently vacant.
The applicant is requesting an amendment to allow for the development of a 122-room, 4-story hotel on Tract F. The approved zoning allows a hotel on the lot fronting US 41, but not on this tract, necessitating the amendment.
Council tabled this ordinance.
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 18, 2024.