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    Minutes

    DRAFT
    October 16, 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 6:04 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Public Works Building.  Mr. Daltry reviewed the many handouts distributed tonight.  The Chairman for tonight’s meeting is Mr. Bill Hammond. The following committee members introduced themselves:

    Mr. Jack Eikenberg
    Ms. Kate English
    Mr. Don Eslick
    Mr. Brian Griffin
    Mr. Bill Hammond
    Ms. Carol Hudler
    Ms. Ellen Lindblad
    Mr. Steve Maxwell
    Mr. Arnold Rosenthal
    Mr. Don Stilwell

    The following Committee members were excused absent:

    Mr. Lee Ford
    Mr. Rob Fowler
    Mr. Dennis Gilkey
    Mr. Marty Harrity            
    Mr. Bob Janes
    Mr. Tim Kenny
    Ms. Jane Kuckel
    Mr. John Witt

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

    2.      ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

    A.     MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2002

    Accept and approve the Minutes as amended by discussion of the members.

    Chairman Hammond called for approval of the Minutes.  Mr. Brian Griffin so moved, seconded by Mr. Jack Eikenberg.  Following discussion the motion was called and carried.

    3.      ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION SECTION

    1. REVIEW AND APPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ISSUE LIST

    1.      Better environmental education to improve our ability to make informed and rational decisions on our quality of life.

    2.      Better knowledge, science, and information concerning the existing problems. Funding to correct water pollution sources (both those known and those yet to be identified) that lower the water quality in Lee County.

    3.      Monitoring and enforcement of current regulations is not adequate; presumption in permitting process that water quality is being addressed.

    4.      A need to control and eliminate invasive exotic plants and animals which otherwise impact our environment in a negative way.

    5.      There is a need for a comprehensive plan for green space in Lee County and a method of implementation including adequate funding, continued management, and public access.

    6.      A need for incentives or funding for existing developments/communities to retrofit to current, more environmentally sustainable practices which otherwise negatively affects our environment.

    7.      Better accounting of our cumulative development practices and environmental protection initiatives to make informed and rational decisions on our quality of life.

    8.      Better information on human carrying capacity in Lee County to make informed and rational decisions on our quality of life.

    9.      A need to maintain the quality of our air, resulting from:

    a.      Automotive travel congestion

    b.      Burning-distinguishing between controlled burning, and stack and burn land clearing

    10.  Ensure an effective public information program, incentives and requirements for landscaping, trees, and exotics removal.  (Cape Coral Tree Ordinance serves as an example for listing.)

    11.  Funding stormwater management to achieve water quality, improved storage, and green infrastructure/flow ways.

    Mr. Daltry opened discussion on this item, stating that Mr. Dennis Gilkey suggested the following recommendation:

    12.  Continuation of the 20/20 Environmental Lands Purchase Program through the additional ad valorum increment upon its expiration.

    The Chairman called for Public Input, however, no one came forward to make comment.  Following a brief discussion Mr. Brian Griffin moved to endorse moving this along with the addition of Item 12 as modestly reworded, seconded by Ms. Ellen Lindblad, called and carried.

    4.      INFORMATIONAL BRIEFINGS/EDUCATION

    1. COMMUNITY CHARACTER ISSUES (continued)

                                  This is part two of a three part series. This section includes a discussion of Community Livability-walking and bicycling, tourism as part of the community; and Community appearance.  Mr. Dan Moser (Bike Pedestrian Council) will lead, followed by Mr. D. T. Minich (Tourism Council), and Ms. Mary Gibbs, (Community Development.) Part three will be in November, which will include a discussion of “sacred places,” festivals, and the County Economic Development programs.

    Chairman Hammond and Mr. Daltry opened discussion on this item.  Mr. Dan Moser, Bike/Pedestrian Council, described how bike and pedestrian walkways help create Community Character.  He gave as examples, Savannah, Charleston, New Orleans and Boston, where residents and visitors use public transit, bike or walk.  He explained how multi-lane roads create a hardship on community character.  He concluded his presentation by noting the plight of the Linear Park that goes from the Nature Center to Metro.  When completed this bike path will stretch from Lehigh to the river.  A brief question and answer period ensued.  Mr. D. T. Minich, Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, reviewed how Lee County is marketed.  Referring to the 3% Bed Tax, Mr. Minich explained that it generates $1.8 Billion Dollars in economic impact each year.  This money is used in beach and shoreline protection and renourshment; removal of exotic plants on Sanibel Island; Manatee Park; and Caloosa Regional Park.   There are currently 35,000 residents employed in tourism in Lee County.   At this time Mr. Minich responded to questions from the committee.

    Following a brief intermission, the meeting resumed with the following presentation on Community Character.

    Ms. Mary Gibbs, Department of Community Development, briefly described the commercial architectural and landscape standards that went into effect three and a half years ago.  She pointed out roof lines and landscaping prior to the standards going into effect; then showed photos after the effective date.  The change was remarkable.  She described how her department has worked closely on each development, whether a new or retrofit project.  Ms. Gibbs responded to inquiry from the committee regarding specific projects throughout the County. 

    B.     CONCLUSIONS DRAWN BY THE SMART GROWTH TASK FORCE REGARDING COMMUNITY CHARACTER.

    Presenters will be asked to respond to the problem statements developed by the Task Force.  Two attachments provided.  (Issues List and Community Character Authorities are on file in the back-up material.)

    Chairman Hammond suggested that this item be held over and become a part of next month’s meeting.  Everyone was in agreement.

    5.   SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

    Chairman Hammond briefly reported on the Transportation Workshop held earlier this month, noting that a summary report has been distributed.  Mr. Daltry reported on the Workshop in more detail.  The Workshop scheduled for November 6th will cover Water Issues; the Workshop on December 4th will cover Environmental Quality Issues.  Within approximately six months, this committee should be bringing some of these recommendations to closure and presenting them to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. 

    6.      TOPICAL ITEMS:

    How to address topical items, such as a preliminary development proposal known as the “Ginn Project”.

    Chairman Hammond opened discussion on this item, noting that the Ginn Project is a DRI that is quite significant.  He questioned if this committee should be concerned with this type of topical issue or should other County committees review this process.  Ms. Kate English opined that this committee has enough on their plate and doesn’t need to get into the short term “vision”.  She noted that the Board has charged this committee to look at the big picture.  Mr. Don Stilwell agreed noting that this committee is to provide an overview.  The discussion that ensued agreed with these statements.  In response to the discussion Mr. Daltry stated that he will provide, for the December meeting, a list of County Committees and a list of topical items showing how the recommendations of this committee (after reviewed and endorsed by the Board) would move to the separate committees for implementation.  Later he will invite the Chairpersons, of the committees in question, to come to a Smart Growth Meeting. 

    7.      OTHER BUSINESS

    Scheduling Subcommittees/Workshops, standard dates.  (Optional Meetings)

    Subcommittees:

    November 6th Water Issues
    December 4th Environmental Quality

    Symposiums and Conferences:

    November 8th Smart Growth Symposium
    1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Lee County Court House
    November 15th, Twelfth Annual Southwest Florida Water Resources
    Conference 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Royal Palm Yacht Club

    8.      PUBLIC COMMENT  

    No one from the general public came forward to make comment.

    9.      NEXT MEETING TIME

    The next meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2002, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Lee County Administration Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room.

    10.  ADJOURNMENT

     The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

                                                           Respectfully submitted,

                                                           Shirley E. Rost