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Planning Panel introduces new consultants

3 min read
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ANDREA GALABINSKI Consultants James LaRue and Sandy Ramseth at a recent Planning Panel meeting.

The North Fort Myers Community Planning Panel recently held a meeting to introduce a new consultant group, LaRue Planning & Management Services Inc., and review the Phase II plans for land development code improvements for the North Fort Myers Community Plan.

“Codes are the way to make it happen,” said company principal James LaRue. He led the meeting, going over issues that involve the codes, including town and neighborhood centers, and asked for public input on the plan area.

The group also announced the set up of a special e-mail for residents to comment on plan issues – nfmyers@larueplanning.com.

Planning Panel President John Gardner said the event was extremely positive.

“The residents of this community are driving the bus to the future,” he said. “The presentation was good and we are happy to have LaRue aboard. They live in our neighborhood.”

LaRue said he’s been a North Fort Myers resident since 1983, and many commented that this will help with a real understanding of what the Planning Panel envisioned when they developed the “Vision Plan” for the future of the area.

“It was like a breath of fresh air getting a local planner who understands what we’re talking about, so things don’t get misinterpreted or misconstrued in the process,” said Alec Mylan, vice president of the panel and president of the Pine Lakes Homeowners Association. “It allows us to have a better link with local government and the community.”

One thing LaRue noted was the detail that went into the plan itself.

“I’m amazed with the Community Plan – you have a huge area,” he said.

He stated four or five planners from his firm will be working on Phase II.

Topics of interest included a possible Hancock Bridge Parkway extension, the Bayshore Road and I-75 area, landscaping issues and others. Pondella Road and capitalizing on North Fort Myers waterfront property were also major issues.

LaRue and associate Sandy Remeth listened to comments and questions from residents, and took notes on their input.

This included questions on specific geographic areas hoped to be developed. LaRue also explained what specifically could be included in a land development code, such as the designation of Neighborhood Centers, appropriate for moderate density, pedestrian-oriented mixed use development.

The new consultant group was well received by many of those who worked with the panel to develop the North Fort Myers Vision Plan.

“We brought to light some of the things that weren’t documented inside the Community Planning Panel’s version of what they saw but weren’t stated in the document, and I think that came across beautifully tonight,” said Scott Brenner, head of the Planning Panel’s Design Review Panel.

“I think there’s a good beginning with clarification with LaRue and the planning panel, better than we’ve had before with previous consultants,” said Gregg Makepeace, president of the North Fort Myers Civic Association. “And because he lives here, he has a better understanding of our community.”

“I’m glad to see three years of work come to fruition,” said Planning Panel and Design Review Panel member Jim Lattmann. Many in the area gave input and thought to the overall plan over that time.