School property, Pavich Center and Capital Improvements Ordinance addressed by the Planning & Zoning Board on January 19, 2021
The Board conducted a public hearing for the School District of Lee County. The School District was requesting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to develop an elementary and middle school on Three Oaks Parkway.
The 68.5-acre undeveloped parcel is located south of Copper Oaks, southeast of the Post Office and bounded by Three Oaks Parkway on the west and I-75 on the east.
They are proposing a two-story school building with a media center, cafeteria and gym. The planned open spaces will include soccer fields and tennis courts which have potential joint use for Village youth and other groups.
Their plans call for the pre-K-8 school to open in August 2023 and operate from 8:55 a.m. – 3:55 p.m., in an effort to avoid peak traffic times. Upon its opening, the school will start with 1,800 students growing to 2,350 students in the future. They anticipate using up to 35 school buses to transport the children with all of the vehicle stacking being on-site.
The property is comprised of 70 per cent low quality wetlands which are covered with Brazilian pepper and melaleuca; the site will be cleared of the exotics and filled, other than the ponds. The stormwater plan includes a perimeter berm with all drainage going into the ponds. The discharge will be to Three Oaks Parkway. (Presentation)
Public Comment: 7 residents, 21 emails and eComment cards were placed into the record with most expressing concerns pertaining to flooding, traffic, wildlife, wetlands and combining the two school groups; there were also several in support of the school.
The Board voted to recommend Council support this application.
Pavich Center
The Board conducted a public hearing for the proposed Pavich Center at 21250 Happy Hollow Lane and Corkscrew Road.
The applicant was requesting to rezone two lots on Corkscrew Road from agriculture to Estero Planned Development to allow for a variety of commercial uses in a two-story building including 8,000 square feet of office space, 1,050 square feet of restaurant, retail or café, and 950 square feet of courtyard seating area. They have designed the building to be Old Florida detailing with trellises and bench seating. Parking would be behind the building.
The applicant was also requesting 6 deviations relating to parking reduction, setbacks, buffers and signs. They are requesting to paint the building an off-white with white trim. (Presentation)
The Board voted to recommend Council approve this application.
Ordinance 2021-01 – Capital Improvements schedule
The Board voted to recommend Council approve Ordinance 2021-01 updates the Capital Improvements schedule for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and adopting the most recent Lee County School District CIP. (Ordinance)
Public Comment: 1 comment regarding concerns for the proposed school on Three Oaks Parkway.
The Board voted to recommend approval to Council.
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website https://estero-fl.gov/agendas/
The next Planning & Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2021.