Council started their meeting approving a resolution and interlocal agreements with the Lee County Property Appraiser and Lee County Tax Collector pertaining to the Corkscrew Intersection Improvement Assessment. The improvements include construction of intersection and signal improvements at the intersection of Puente Lane and Corkscrew Road. These assessments will begin on October 1, 2021, and will be on select parcels for costs incurred by the Village related to the Corkscrew Road/Puente Lane intersection improvements project.
The Village provided the upfront financing for this project in order to expedite construction to create a safer intersection. This assessment will provide a means for the Village to recoup this upfront investment from the benefitting parties. (Resolution)
Planning, Zoning & Design Board applicants
Council then conducted interviews with three applicants for the new Planning, Zoning & Design Board. Interviews with the additional applicants were not necessary as they are former board members, which are already known to Council.
The Village’s new Land Development Code established a Planning, Zoning and Design Board for functions formerly assigned separately to the Planning & Zoning Board and the Design Review Board. The Code provides for a range of 7 to 9 members on this new Board.
Selection of the new board is scheduled for Council’s March 3, 2021 meeting.
Workshop
Update on FFD (Florida Farms Development) Project – Lee County
Community Development Director Mary Gibbs gave an update on the FFD project in unincorporated Lee County and described the significant impact it will have on Estero’s Corkscrew Road residents in the next 5 – 10 years.
FFD is a 5,208-acre site located on the south side of Corkscrew Road, just east of Corkscrew Shores and west of Six L’s Farm Road. The site consists of farm fields, and uplands and wetlands. The property is the subject of a lawsuit and a proposed settlement agreement between the property owners and Lee County pertaining to their mining application. As a result of this agreement, mining will not be allowed on this property.
There is a proposed development agreement/settlement agreement that was presented at the Hearing Examiner meeting on December 3, 2020. A final hearing is scheduled for March 3. The proposed project includes:
- 5,208 residential units (single family and multifamily) 1 unit per gross acre
- 100,000 square feet of commercial uses (north end of project near Corkscrew Road)
- 240,000 square feet of amenity area uses
- Existing agricultural uses including 50,000 square feet of research and development
According to the applicant’s Traffic Impact Statement, there would be 42,401 new daily trips from this project. The peak hour trips would be approximately 4,300 (in and out trips at the evening peak hour, approximately 5 pm.)
Public Comment:1 eComment card and 2 residents spoke of their concerns regarding water and sewer issues, setbacks next to the CREW Lands and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and the impact on Estero’s schools and recreational facilities.
COVID-19 Update
Lee Health’s System Director of Government Relations Michael A. Nachef gave an update on COVID-19.
This presentation will be sent out in a separate article.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website http://estero-fl.gov/council/watch-meetings-online/
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 3, 2021.