Smart Growth Lee

Minutes

May 30, 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 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Public Works Building. The following committee members introduced themselves:

Mr. Dennis Gilkey, President, Bonita Bay Group, a member of the Smart Growth Task Force

Dr. Ed Houck, Administrator, CEO, Bonita Community Health Center

Ms. Ellen Lindblad, Executive Director CREW Land and Water Trust; a member of the Smart Growth Task Force

Mr. Lee Ford, a member of the Smart Growth Task Force

Mr. Steve Maxwell

Mr. Brian Griffin, President of the Lee County Council of Civic Associations

Ms. Carol Hudler, President and Publisher of the News-Press; served on the Smart Growth Task Force

Mr. Jack Eickenberg, Bonita Springs, member of the Community Character Task Force

Mr. Arnold Rosenthal, Estero

Ms. Kate English, Ft. Myers

Mr. Don Stillwell, Lee County Administrator

Mr. Bill Hammond, Ph.D, Florida Gulf Coast University; former Co-Chairman of the Smart Growth Task Force

Mr. John Witt, Eighth Grade Science Teacher, Diplomat Middle School

Ms. Jane Kuckle, Chairman, Lee County School Board

Mr. Bob Janes, Lee County Commissioner

The following Committee members were absent, as noted:

Mr. Robert Fowler (Vacation)
Mr. Tim Kenny (Sick)
Mr. Marty Harrity (Meeting Conflict)

At this time the Staff and members of the audience introduced themselves.

Mr. Daltry questioned if the Committee approved of the form in which the Agenda has been written; the members approved the Agenda as presented.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

A. Minutes of April 25, 2002

Mr. Brian Griffin moved to accept and approve the Minutes, seconded by Mr. Steve Maxwell, called and carried.

B. Selection of Co-Chairs

Mr. Brian Griffin moved to nominate Mr. Dennis Gilkey as Co-Chairman, seconded by Mr. Arnold Rosenthal. Mr. Rosenthal moved to nominate Mr. Brian Griffin as Co-Chairman, seconded by Mr. Steve Maxwell. Ms. Carol Hudler moved to nominate Mr. Bill Hammond, seconded by Mr. Gilkey. Mr. Steve Maxwell moved to approve the new interpretation of Tri-Chairpersons. The motion was called and carried. It was agreed that Mr. Griffin would assume the Chair for this meeting, Mr. Hammond for the June meeting and Mr. Gilkey for the July meeting. Mr. Griffin assumed the Chair.

C. Sunshine Law

County Attorney James A. Yaeger referred to last month’s discussions on the Sunshine Law, and opined that the Bulletin Board on the Internet should be used to post information for public access. His office would encourage you not to use the Bulletin Board to communicate back and forth between yourselves. This raises an issue that you are communicating outside this meeting. E-mail is subject to the Florida Sunshine Law.   Attorney Collins distributed, and Attorney Yaeger described, a seminar packet that reflects some of the main topics to which County Committees become subject. If you have any questions on these subjects, call the Attorney’s Office. A brief question and answer period followed.

3. INFORMATIONAL BRIEFINGS/EDUCATION:

A.Hitchhikers Guide to the Lee Plan

Mr. Paul O’Connor, Lee County Planning Department, with the aid of the Future Land Use Map, described how the planning process has evolved in the County since 1977. He further described how the Growth Management Legislation of 1985 effected the County and the problems involved with the Year 20/20 Overlay. The Comprehensive Plan is a public document that is formally adopted by local government. It is intended to be a policy guide for decisions that effect the physical development of the area. It is a living document that is programmed to change. The Plan serves several functions:



1. Policy determination

2. Policy effectuation

3. Communication

4. Conveyance of advice

5. Education

Mr. O’Connor described the many hearings that are required to be held to be in compliance with State regulations. The State has veto power over the Comprehensive Plan. The following key elements of the Plan were described:

            Future Land Use

            Conservation and Coastal Management and Beach Issues

            Recreation and Open Space

            Community Facilities and Services

            Capital Improvements

            Housing

            Inter-governmental Coordination

Optional Elements include:

            Historic Preservation

            Economic Development

            Community Design (which we do not have in our Plan)

Responding to committee inquiry, Mr. O’Connor advised that the current Plan horizon is the year 2020 and the population accommodations for permanent population is 602,000. A in depth discussion ensued. Mr. Daltry described the MPO and regional planning process, build-out and also responded to inquiry from the committee members.

Following a short break, the meeting resumed. Referring to the next item, Mr. Daltry noted that for each meeting, the committee will receive backup material showing the Task Force results. This is to be used as a reference. For each presentation, the committee will have a preliminary discussion and the following meeting a more in depth discussion. At the subsequent meeting a vote will be taken on these issues.

B.Conclusions drawn by the Smart Growth Task Force regarding the “Land Use.” Mr. O’Connor will be asked to respond to the problem statements developed by the Task Force.

Mr. Paul O’Connor reviewed the following Stated Problems as noted by the Smart Growth Task Force:

1. The quality of life in Lee County is a decline characterized by diminished green spaces, an overburden infrastructure and threatened natural systems.

2. Land use rules and rule-making processes are not proactive or coordinated.

3. Land use rules do not promote appropriate land uses at appropriate locations and do not provide incentives for a coordinated, efficient use of land (i.e. infill, mixed use)

4. Land use rules interpretation and enforcement is not consistent.

5. Historically platted communities provide housing opportunities at the expense of proper urban form, acceptable access to services and environmental systems planning.

During Mr. O’Connor’s presentation, he responded to questions posed by the Committee. Discussion included green areas (landscaping) and schools (Mr. Daltry advised schools will be discussed under Community Character).

4. DEVELOPING CONSENSUS ITEMS:

A. A Mission Statement

To lead and encourage diverse community involvement and consensus to further the vision of smart growth in Lee County.

The Mission Statement and the Vision Statement were discussed as one item. See below.

B. A Vision Statement

To shape the future growth of Lee County through a proactive, inclusive community effort that continuously improves the quality of life by reaching a harmonious balance between economic development, environmental sustainability and community livability, to provide a legacy for future generations.

Co-Chairman Griffin opined that the Mission Statement as written should be accepted. Mr. Daltry suggested that that would be the action for the next meeting. During the brief discussion that ensued, it was agreed to put a time deadline in this statement. It was requested that e-mail be used for editing these statements. In discussing the meaning of consensus, Mr. Daltry pointed out that the Committee will vote their positions, and the Board of County Commissioners deserve to hear the issues of significant disagreement, and why.

C. The next six months Work Plan Schedule

Mr. Daltry clarified that this month we discuss Land Use; next month the Committee will be exposed to Transportation; the next month Water Supply, the next month Environmental Quality; and the next month is based on Community Character.

Each meeting will have an information session, a discussion session and the consensus vote session.

5. ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION SECTION (none)

6. OTHER EVENTS

7. NEXT MEETING TIME

Mr. Daltry announced that the next meeting will be the third Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at 6 p.m.

AT THIS TIME CO-CHAIRMAN GRIFFIN CALLED FOR PUBLIC INPUT;

he noted that people who had requested to speak on items were given the opportunity during the meeting. No further public comment was received.

8. ADJOURNMENT

Co-Chairman Griffin adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m.

            Respectfully submitted,

            Shirley E. Rost