Public comment on non-agenda items: State Representative Adam Botana appeared on Zoom to address Estero’s election cycle.
Resolution 2025-01 – Reappoint two Planning, Zoning & Design Board members for one year
Two members of the Planning, Zoning, and Design Board have terms that expire on April 30, 2025. They are James Tatooles and Al Palvandy.
Council approved this resolution reappointing them for another one-year term.
RFP Estero Sports Park CMAR
This topic was tabled for two weeks.
Second reading & public hearing
Ordinance 2024-14 – Coconut Trace amendment
This is an amendment to the commercial zoning for a 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 applicant was requesting an amendment to allow for the development of a 122-room, 4-story hotel.
The applicant described some of the many changes made to their original plans including softer colors on the exterior of the building, brackets at the roof line, enhanced roof lines, tile roof and stone accents. Their plans also call for enhanced landscaping.
Public comment: A resident asked that the applicant control dust during construction and consider pervious asphalt.
Council voted to approve this ordinance.
Village Manager’s Report
Village Manager Steve Sarkozy mentioned there had been 44 comments regarding the deletion of the splash pad from the final master plan of the Sports Park. Prior to receiving those, the Village heard from parents of children with developmental disabilities expressing concerns about a splash pad immediately adjacent to the lake. Those parents felt it would a risk to their children. There still is an opportunity to add a splash pad to a different area of the Sports Park during review of the final engineering plans.
Workshop
Property acquisition update
Public Works Director David Willems described how roadways throughout Estero were designed with relatively narrow rights-of-way, sidewalks next to the road, and limited landscaping. As the Village works through each of these roadways, building sidewalks away from the road and installing more landscaping, additional right of way is required.
The Village has worked with adjacent property owners to obtain easements or right of way at no cost. The Village has encountered several property owners that require payment for the easement or refuse to provide the required easement. This has resulted in projects being delayed.
Property easements for portions of Corkscrew Road and Sandy Lane were discussed.
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, February 19, 2025.