Community Development Director Mary Gibbs started the meeting by stating there have been 20 different public meetings and workshops addressing the Village’s first Comprehensive Plan tailored to Estero’s unique character. (Comprehensive Plan)
Laura DeJohn, Johnson Engineering, addressed a number of supplemental items which have been added to the plan covering wetlands, the Village Center, process and historic preservation among other items. (Supplemental Items sheet)
Public Comment: Four members in the audience spoke regarding the plan.
Ordinance 2018-01
Council moved to pass Ordinance 2018-01for the first reading and transmittal to the state, with one modification: definitions to be updated prior to transmittal to do two things: (1) make them consistent with what has already been passed in the Village Center amendments last year and (2) to delete any unnecessary definitions. The plan will now go to various state agencies for review. It’s anticipated the review should be completed by April. The second reading will occur following state review. (Ordinance 2018-01)
Council Communications:
Mayor and District 5 Councilmember Jim Boesch stated that a meeting has been scheduled for February 2 between him, Bonita Springs Mayor Peter Simmons, Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Cecil Pendergrass, and members of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to discuss two Items: the benefits of joining the Big Cypress Basin in conjunction with SFWMD and the possibility of two reservoirs in Edison Farms, one in the east area and one in the south area. Ultimately, any decision on either or both of these matters would be up to each Council.
District 6 Councilmember Nick Batos stated that Lee Health at Coconut Point is on schedule for them to move into the facility in September and open for business in November. He also stated that he, Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Don Scott, and Bonita Springs Vice-Mayor Peter O’Flynn will be traveling to Tallahassee to attend a Sun Trails meeting to ask that the CSX/Seminole Gulf Railroad Bonita-Estero Trail be restored to the SUN Trail priority network. Bonita Springs and the Village of Estero are working together to retain the railroad corridor for a 9 mile shared use trail starting on the south side of Estero Parkway traveling south to Bonita Beach Road.
District 7 Councilmember Jim Wilson acknowledged Don Corbett, resident of Bella Terra, who met with representatives of the Youngquist Brothers, Inc., regarding noise complaints associated with blasting at the mine site. As a result, Youngquist has agreed to test lower level charges which should result in less noise and vibration.
Additional details are available in the minutes of this meeting. Residents may also 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, January 17, 2017.