APRIL 6, 2010 MINUTES, REVISED

SCOTT J. BRENNER,PRESIDENT, called to order the regular meeting of the NORTH FORT MYERS DESIGN REVIEW PANEL at 6:00 p.m. on APRIL 6, 2010 in the Theatre Room of North Star Yacht Club, N. Ft. Myers, Fl.

 

Attendance: The following Board Members were present:  Alec Mylan, Jack Howerton, Maynard Houston, John Gardner, Gregg Makepeace, Joe Beck and Mike Land.

 The minutes of the previous meeting, which had been submitted by Mike Land, Secretary, were approved as submitted, upon the motion by Lim Lattmann and the second of Alec Mylan.

Scott Brenner, President, spoke about the recent public meeting and report on the widening of Pondella Road, and abandoning further consideration of two alternative routes that had been proposed for the extension of Hancock Bridge Parkway to Business 41. John Gardner, Chairman of NFMCPP, pointed out that there is no money presently available to do this project and that if they chose to widen Pondella on the north side, every existing building on that side would be demolished, and if they chose to widen it along the south side, every building on the south side would lose its parking. A freeway would have destroyed the concept of this organization by speeding up the traffic. Jack Howerton observed that they had missed the northbound exit from Ft. Myers via Business 41, and that the Lee County DOT was missing the mark on what was needed. Gregg Makepeace stated that it irked him that the study didn’t follow our recommendations, but we should keep the option open to us. John Gardner told The Breeze Newspaper that the NFMCPP intends to continue with our vision statement position. 

Short discussion ensued regarding the recent public meeting of Cape Coral to discuss proposed changes to the zoning map. Mike Land made the observation that none of the proposed changes affected the large Zemel tract on the western side of Rt. 41 up to the Charlotte County line. Gregg Makepeace confirmed that there was no map change proposal for that tract because they were so busy with 17 other changes.

 Jim Lattmann, V. Pres., reported on the continuing saga of the acquisition of the sewerage facilities in Waterway Estates. It is now scheduled to close title in July, 2010 at a price of $80,000,000. The new facility will be owned by FGUA, and many millions of dollars worth of improvements will be needed.

 

I. PRESENTATION IN SUPPORT OF MASTER CONCEPT PLAN FOR BAYSHORE 57 MPD, BY FRED DROVDLIC, AICP AND V. PRES. OF QUATTRONE & ASSOCIATES, INC. , a project at the Northeast corner of Bayshore Road (State Road 78) and Samville, one mile east of Interstate 75. Mr. Drovdlic reminded us that he had presented this project to us at our meeting two years ago and pointed out how the project concept has changed since then. Two years ago the project envisioned 200,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and 195,000 sq. ft. of townhouse space, and now the proposal is for 140,000 sq. ft. of commercial space consisting of 70,000 sq. ft. of retail space in a one story building closest to the road, a two-story building behind it housing 70,000 sq. ft. of general medical space and 70,000 sq. ft. of general office space, and behind that in this 57 acre parcel would be a gated residential community consisting of 104 townhouse units and 72 single-family homes on 55′ x 125′ lots comprising 19 acres, and in the rear of this parcel is 12.7 acres of preserve. To the west in the rear section is a gopher tortoise preserve site. The project proposes 66% open space, more than required and 655 parking spaces, more than required. The developer will build a re-alignment of Samville Road in order to provide a stacking distance utilizing 2 acres. Mr. Drovdlic said that the architectural was not ready yet, but the developer is willing to comply with our preference for Old Florida architecture, incorporating metal roofs, porches, awnings, etc.

Joe Beck requested that the plans show interconnectivity from one phase of the project to the other. Scott Brenner suggested that the project be pedestrian and community oriented. Joe Beck suggested that there be mixed use vertically instead of horizontally. Mr. Drovdlic commented that there needs to be more urban area in order to be successful. John Gardner suggested that we don’t render an opinion on this presentation until Fred Drovdlic leaves the room. Debbie Jackow felt that there is not supposed to be commercial lined up in all the developments along Bayshore Rd. – that was not what was intended- and asked how it affected the nearby school and church. Mr. Drovdlic responded that both the church and the school were ok with the project. The church was concerned, but it recently obtained a variance for a sign at the corner, and with our planned re-alignment of Samville they won’t be on the corner, and that the developer will probably offer them another location for their sign.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  A brief discussion ensued concerning the upcoming elections to fill the positions on this Panel. Scott Brenner would not be running for re-election as President. Someone opined that Wayne Daltry might not be running either, since he had applied, along with many others, to fill Janes’ vacancy on Lee County Commission.

Upon motion by Joe Beck and second of Jim Lattmann, and a unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

MIKE LAND, SECRETARY