Minutes
August 21, 2002
1. CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS,
REVIEW OF AGENDA
The meeting of the Lee County Smart
Growth Advisory Committee was opened by Mr. Wayne Daltry at 6:03 p.m. in
the Conference Room of the Public Works Building. Mr. Dennis Gilkey
assumed the Chair, noting that he would turn many things over to Mr.
Daltry. The following committee members introduced themselves:
Mr. Jack Eikenberg
Mr. Lee Ford
Mr. Rob Fowler
Mr. Dennis Gilkey
Mr. Bill Hammond
Dr. Ed Houck
Ms. Carol Hudler
Mr. Tim Kenny
Ms. Jane Kuckel
Ms. Ellen Lindblad
Mr. Steve Maxwell
Mr. Arnold Rosenthal
Mr. Don Stilwell
The following Committee members were excused absent:
Ms. Kate English
Mr. Brian Griffin
Mr. Marty Harrity
Mr. Bob Janes
Mr. John Witt
At this time the Staff and members of the
audience introduced themselves. Mr. Daltry reviewed the agenda, stating
that once a list is approved by the Committee, he will work to bring
back staff reports. Then sub-committees will be formed to review the
list and develop a work plan. Mr. Daltry also reminded the Committee
that they have agreed to make the third Wednesday of every month their
standard meeting date.
2. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. MINUTES OF JUNE 19, 2002 AND JULY 17,
2002
Accept and approve the Minutes as amended by discussion of the members.
Mr. Rob Fowler moved approval of the
Minutes, seconded by Ms. Ellen Lindblad. Mr. Steve Maxwell requested a
review of the Committee's absentee policy. The motion was called and
carried.
3. ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION SECTION
A. REVIEW AND APPROVE MISSION
STATEMENTReview, amend and/or approve the Smart Growth Mission:
Within two years, lead and encourage
community involvement in establishing a consensus as to what constitutes
"Smart Growth" for Lee County, and how to achieve it, and make
those recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for action.
Mr. Daltry pointed out that this item was
reviewed and endorsed last month. Mr. Bill Hammond moved approval,
seconded by Dr. Ed Houck, called and carried.
B. REVIEW AND APPROVE LAND USE ISSUES
LIST
Review, amend and/or approve the following list:
a. Examine the many (at least 20)
different Lee County communities for Urban Design/New Urbanism/Community
Vision Opportunities.
b. Identify an overall open space/green space/natural resource base
strategy, with supporting public policy. (Link to CLASAC, Greenways
initiative, etc.).
c. Understand and support Cities efforts in new urbanism.
d. Recognize geographic site needs of schools, coordinated with other
community character/service issues.
e. Assess hurricane preparedness for sheltering opportunities, with
emphasis on the "Great Storms" (Cat 3-5).
f. Redeveloping and replatting of old undeveloped and underdeveloped
platted subdivisions to improve the effectiveness/sustainability of land
plans.
g. Evaluate current densities and intensities for infill development,
mixed use development, and redevelopment opportunities, including
opportunities for reintroducing "new urbanism".
h. Establishing a sharp division/line between urban service areas and
the rural reserves/open space.
i. Clarify and identify incentives to implement smart land use,
including locating development where there is infrastructure, promoting
the clustering development, and mitigation banking.
j. Ensure that land use provides for broadened economic sustainability,
such as for industrial uses, "NIMBYs" and affordable housing.
k. Ensure that rules, rule making processes, rule interpretation, and
enforcement are oriented towards achieving these ends.
l. Examine the role of impact fees as an incentive to smarter growth.
m. Assess the development practices that reduce crime potential, and
whether Lee County promotes or impedes these practices.
n. Assess the cumulative impact of need for build-out (or 2050)
population and growth estimates and how "Smart" that will be
under current trends and conditions.
o. Assess the variations in densities and intensities that meet the same
population that would also be "Smart".
Mr. Daltry briefly reviewed the list.
During discussion it was agreed to begin Item "c" with
"Evaluate establishing". An in-depth discussion ensued with
many members participating. Mr. Daltry agreed to add the five Vision
Statements from the Task Force, as a review item for next month's
meeting. Mr. Jack Eikenberg moved approval, seconded by Ms. Jane Kuckel.
During discussion, it was agreed to add an Item
p. Consideration of plans of surrounding
areas.
The motion was called and carried.
C. REVIEW AND APPROVE TRANSPORTATION
ISSUES LIST
Review, amend and/or approve the following list:
1. Alter land use and development
patterns which unnecessarily create a demand for motor trips, or trips
of unnecessary length, resulting in congestion.
2. Complete cost/benefit analysis of automobile travel versus
benefit/cost of travel by other modes, appropriate for Lee County.
3. Change the "peaking time" congestion and how does that
impact (or be the equivalent of) available and projected fiscal revenues
needed for solutions (Example, variable toll rates).
4. Reduce the inefficiencies and safety concerns for motorists created
by unreadable addresses, signage clutter, lack of direction signing and
lack of continuity in road names. Make signage (including building
numbers) more visible and consistent.
5. Coordinate/accommodate efficiently and safely all modes of ground
transportation.
6. Close pedestrian gaps (sidewalks) and identify those urgently needed.
7. Increase transportation funding and develop a strategy to achieve
such an increase.
8. Ensure traffic signalization/synchronization is continually updated
countywide.
9. Increase enforcement for safety and reduction of hazards.
10. Resolve the inherent conflict between "regional" travel
needs, versus "community character" travel needs. (as an
example, driveways killed the capacity of US 41 to serve as a regional
road, yet the widening and volume of traffic on US 41 killed its ability
to add to the character of the communities through which it passed.)
11. Reduce the jobs to housing trip length/nature link.
12. Address the problem of changing commercial locations wreck some
transportation plans.
13. Find the break-even point of transit and help achieve it.
14. Adjust the seasonality opportunities of transit.
15. Accommodate the travel needs of an increasingly aged and infirm
population.
Mr. Daltry presented this item and
requested a motion to accept this list for posting for public comment;
it would also be his trigger to begin work on information and
evaluations. It was suggested that roads be designed to fit our
community better. The following changes were agreed upon:
12. Addressing the problem of changing
commercial locations will wreck some transportation plans.
16. Address regional evacuation.
Mr. Jack Eikenberg so moved on
Transportation Issues, seconded by Mr. Bill Hammond, called and carried.
4. "DEVELOPING CONSENSUS"
A. WATER RESOURCE ISSUES
1. Evaluate how to further reverse the disruption caused by historic and
current land use and development practices, restore natural water
storage and recharge areas, and reverse the practice of water dumping on
the estuaries through increased impervious surfaces and flood control
practices.
2. Assess Resource management challenges to keep up with continually
increased competition in demands for water from the natural system by
different urban users and agriculture and mining.
3. Increase understanding on complex water issues to achieve:
a. Implementation of best practices for water quality.
b. Water conservation.
c. Water reuse, including Cape Coral experiences.
d. Acceptance and funding of capital improvement projects.
e. Decisions related to "costs versus quality" indexing.
f. Consider energy costs.
g. ASR and deep well injection.
h. Appropriate collection and management of sewerage for recharge
potential.
