Mayor Katy Errington told a large group of residents from The Vines that the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Rail Trail Feasibility Study was not on the agenda but they were welcome to speak.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: 3 residents representing The Vines spoke of their community’s concerns regarding two of the three proposed paths of the Rail Trail Feasibility Study. They stated that two of the proposed paths would traverse their community and would create safety issues as well as devalue their properties.
Public Works Director David Willems explained that the findings of this study are to be discussed at the December 7 Council meeting and will not be voted on by the MPO until January or February.
Presentations
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy reviewed the many efforts made by staff relating to Hurricane Ian’s impact to the community. He made his first visit to West Broadway at 8 p.m. the evening of the hurricane, which is where 90 percent of the damage occurred in Estero. Other communities most adversely affected were west of US 41 along Williams Road, as well as Coconut Road.
Sarkozy and Village Clerk Carol Sacco spent many hours on the ground and at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center working for the community. He also acknowledged Community Development Director Mary Gibbs and her staff for conducting inspections and helping residents prepare to build back; Public Works Director David Willems who has been working with a number of contractors to clear storm debris from the community; Village Councilmembers for checking on their residents’ needs and the entire Village team for working together to assist Estero’s residents. This work will continue as long as necessary, which could be months. Cost to the Village of the hurricane is estimated to be about $5 million, which is fully reserved and should be reimbursed by FEMA.
Sarah Owen, President and CEO of the Collaboratory, gave a presentation on the organization’s goal to solve the community’s social problems within 18 years, which will require massive humanitarian efforts. The Collaboratory is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization and has initiatives in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades’ Counties. To learn about the Collaboratory, click here.
George Zaluki, Chair, Board of Directors, Estero Forever Foundation, works with the Collaboratory to administer the Foundation’s funding projects. The Foundation is working to raise money for residents adversely affected by Hurricane Ian, with all funds raised going directly to Estero residents. To date, $29,300 has been raised, with 11 requests for aid. To donate or to request relief, you may do so on the Foundation’s website.
Volunteers with the Estero Forever Foundation operate the Golf Coast Driving Range at 9000 Williams Road, which is once again open following the hurricane. The current operating hours for the driving range are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Action Items
Resolution 2022-21 – Hurricane Ian recovery
Council adopted this resolution relating to confirming all actions of the Mayor, Council Members, Village Manager, and Village Staff in conjunction with hurricane protection and post-hurricane recovery. This allows for the procurement, incurring of obligations, and expenditure of public funds to be continued and to be waived for the next 90 days, to the extent that they pertain to hurricane recovery. Village Manager Sarkozy may extend that period for an additional 90-day period if deemed necessary.
Ordinance 2022-13 – Flood Hazards Reduction Standards amendment
This amendment is necessary to comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) policy in order for the Village to continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP) Community Rating System program.
Council passed this first reading and set a second reading for November 2, 2022.
Ordinance 2022-13 – Coconut Trace zoning amendment
Coconut Trace
The applicant has requested a zoning amendment for a 3.5-acre site to allow a Real Estate Sales Center for London Bay Homes located on the west side of US 41 north of Coconut Road across from Coconut Point Mall.
Council passed this first reading of the ordinance and set a second reading for November 2, 2022.
Ordinance 2022-15 – Pelican Sound zoning amendment
The applicant has requested a zoning amendment to allow Recreation, including Pickleball, as an Accessory Use in the Golf Course Maintenance and Storage Area located on the north side of Williams Road, west of US 41.
Council passed this first reading of the ordinance and set a second reading for November 2, 2022.
Ordinance 2022-16 – Genova zoning amendment
Genova
This ordinance relates to the applicant requesting to amend their zoning in order to revise the type of housing and reduce the number of units on the unbuilt portion of their property.
Council passed this first reading and set a second reading for November 2, 2022.
Second Readings and Public Hearings
Ordinance 2022-09 – Conflict of Interest – Planning, Zoning & Design Board
This ordinance relates to the membership of the Planning, Zoning and Design Board stipulating that the Board should include at least one member from the following Florida state-registered professions: civil engineering, architecture, and landscape architecture. This member is permitted to represent a client at a Public Information Meeting, but will not represent that client before the Board, participate in discussion or vote on the client’s application at any other meeting. Notwithstanding, other members of the designated member’s firm may represent the firm client before the Board at any meeting.
Council voted to adopt this ordinance.
Ordinance 2022-10 – Estero Town Center (Wawa) zoning amendment
Estero Town Center – Wawa
This ordinance pertains to a request for a zoning amendment for Estero Town Center to allow for a Wawa convenience store/12 pump gas station at the site of the former Ruby Tuesday restaurant. The request includes the property owner’s request to allow for a fast-food restaurant on a different lot within the shopping plaza. Estero Town Center (Lowe’s Plaza) is located at the southeast corner of Three Oaks Parkway and Corkscrew Road.
Public Comment: 1 resident spoke against allowing further development; 2 eComment cards were received in favor of this development.
Council voted to adopt this ordinance.
Ordinance 2022-11 – Milan Villas rezoning
Milan Villas
This ordinance pertains to a rezoning request to allow Milan Villas to develop a 44-unit residential subdivision on 10 acres located at the northwest intersection of Three Oaks Parkway and Williams Road.
Following a conversation with Council, the applicant requested a continuance until November 16.
Ordinance 2022-12 – Land Development Code amendment for lot coverage
The Land Development Code was adopted by Council in January, 2021 and has only been amended since then to establish the Planning, Zoning and Design Board. This amendment is necessary now as the definition for lot coverage is creating numerous problems with existing and new developments.
Staff recommended to continue this to November 2, as the Planning, Zoning & Design Board was unable to review the ordinance due to Hurricane Ian.
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, November 2, 2022.