July 17, 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 6:08 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Public Works Building. The following committee members introduced themselves:

Mr. Rob Fowler
Mr. Dennis Gilkey
Mr. Brian Griffin
Ms. Carol Hudler
Ms. Ellen Lindblad
Mr. Steve Maxwell
Mr. John Witt

The following Committee members were excused absent:

Mr. Jack Eikenberg
Ms. Kate English
Mr. Lee Ford
Mr. Bill Hammond
Mr. Marty Harrity
Dr. Ed Houck
Mr. Bob Janes
Mr. Tim Kenny
Ms. Jane Kuckel
Mr. Arnold Rosenthal
Mr. Don Stilwell

At this time the Staff and members of the audience introduced themselves. The committee members present offered no changes to the agenda.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

A. MINUTES OF JUNE 19, 2002

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

Mr. Daltry suggested that the Minutes be accepted for final action at the next meeting pending a quorum. Since there was no objection the Minutes were accepted for action at the next meeting.

3. ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION SECTION

A. REVIEW AND APPROVE MISSION STATEMENT

Review, 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.

As a committee of the whole, Ms. Hudler moved to accept the Mission Statement, seconded by Mr. Witt, 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 Opportunities.
b. Identify an overall open space/green space/natural resource base strategy, with supporting public policy.
c. Understand and support Cities efforts.
d. Recognize geographic site needs of schools, coordinated with other community character/service issues.
e. Assess hurricane preparedness for sheltering opportunities.
f. Redeveloping and replatting of old platted subdivisions that are "fallow".
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 services areas and the rural reserves/open space.
i. Clarify and identify incentives to implement smart land use, including locating development where there is infrastructure, 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.

During discussion on this item, the following topics were suggested to be added to the above list:

Cluster Development
Impact Fees - is it time to look at these again
The continuation of the 20/20 Program
In item "f", the word "fallow" was questioned; perhaps redesigning to improve efficiency and sustainability of the Land Plan in those areas
Responding to a question on item "h", Mr. Daltry agreed to look into how this is currently handled as to whether it is a sharp or divisive line.
An elaboration on items "e" and "i"
The need to look at community vision plans
Transportation circulation and signalization (Mr. Daltry agreed to discuss this under the transportation discussion (handout submitted on file)

Mr. Daltry agreed to amend and bring the list back to the next meeting for action.

4. "DEVELOPING CONSENSUS"

A. TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Discussion item; attachments provided on file.
Stated Problems:
1. Past and (to a degree) current development patterns characterized by low density and separate land uses mean that residents are dependent on automobiles to access community services, which creates roadway congestion.
2. Currently, for most people, the perceived benefit/cost of automobile travel outweighs the perceived benefit/cost of travel by other modes.
3. Increased transportation demand, especially during peak times, outpaces available and projected fiscal revenues needed for solutions.
4. There are inefficiencies and safety concerns for motorists created by unreadable addresses, signage clutter, lack of directional signing and lack of continuity in road names.
5. Many transportation corridors do not coordinate/accommodate efficiently and safely all modes of ground transportation.

During discussion it was agreed to add to the above list:

Traffic signal synchronization
Impact Fees
Traffic enforcement - have the Sheriff attend a meeting to discuss his policy
The inherent conflict between neighborhood community based safety design versus the regional network
A dedicated funding source for Bike Paths/Sidewalks
Lee Tran

Item #3 was discussed as to non-local roads used for local traffic and peak times. Mr. David Loveland, Department of Transportation, elaborating on sidewalk requirements and regarding peak times, noted that this is the whole premise behind the Variable Pricing Program on the Mid-Point and Cape Coral Bridges. Mr. Steve Myers, Lee Tran, responded to inquiries regarding the Lee Tran buses and service. Mr. Daltry called for public input and the following citizens came forward:

Mr. Matt Fowler suggested that interested people should read up on Equity Planning

Dr. Bonnie Franzer pointed out that anything this group comes up with will be developed over a 10 to 15 year period; she suggested looking at seasonal transit; public/private partnerships

Assistant County Attorney Tim Jones responded to inquiry regarding Sidewalk requirements.

Following a brief intermission, the meeting resumed with the following discussion.

5. INFORMATIONAL BRIEFINGS/EDUCATION

A. WATER SUPPLY AND WATER RESOURCES

Mr. Roland Ottolini and Mr. Rick Diaz will provide a brief overview of the Water Supply and Resource Issues, and how they exist in the network of other local plans, regional plans and substate/state agency plans. Time permitting, Mr. Daltry may explain how the Everglades Restoration Water component interrelates with the County program.

Mr. Roland Ottolini, Director, Lee County Division of Natural Resources, opened the discussion by stating that rather than a water shortage problem, Lee County has a water management problem. He referred to the many drainage districts that have drained the County. He noted that the South Florida Water Management District is the regulatory agency; his department does projects. He related his Division's role in the County's Storm Water System; the monitoring of river stages, rainfall, ground water levels and ground water sampling.

Mr. Rick Diaz, Director, Lee County Utilities, noted that his Division officially took over operations on January 31, 2001, 24 hours a day. He described the following projects and the manner in which organic matter is being cleaned from the water:

North Lee County Water Treatment Plant, a full Reverse Osmosis Water Plant, designed for 5 to 10 million gallons per day
Expanding the Corkscrew Water Treatment Plant from 10 mgd to 15 mgd
Building twin tanks between the Corkscrew and Green Meadows Water Plants
Extensive improvements to Green Meadows Water Plant
Expanding the Olga Water Treatment Plant

Mr. Diaz also described the possibility of building a 30 million gallon treatment plant adjacent to the FP&L facility. Mr. Diaz responded to inquiry and discussed deep water wells through the County. He reviewed the wastewater treatment plants, their capacities and reclaimed water lines. An in-depth question and answer period ensued. Mr. Daltry concluded that the next meeting will cover Natural Systems; water, land use, and transportation. He will ask the Water Management District, DEP, and the Fish Commission to have short presentations of what they do.

CONCLUSIONS DRAWN BY THE SMART GROWTH TASK FORCE REGARDING "WATER SUPPLY".

Messrs. Ottolini and Diaz will be asked to respond to the problem statements developed by the Task Force.

Discussion Item; stated problems:

1. Historic and current land use and development practices have consumed natural water storage and recharge areas and have increased water loss to tide (to the Gulf) through increased impervious surfaces and flood control practices.
2. Resource management is not keeping up with continually increasing demands for water.
3. A lack of general understanding on complex water issues hinders:

a. Implementation of best practices.
b. Water conservation.
c. Acceptance of funding of capital improvement projects.

Mr. Daltry reviewed the above stated problems. Mr. David Loveland and Mr. Rick Diaz responded to the problems. Next month we will hear that water is the life blood of a natural system; the water quality component, the habitat component and community character. Dr. Bonnie Kranzer responded to Item 3.

6. OTHER EVENTS

No other events were discussed.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Daltry called for public comment and the following person came forward:

Ms. Cathy Malone questioned if Mr. Diaz considered it financially feasible to do dual water system throughout Lee County. Mr. Diaz opined that as long as the possibility is there, it is an excellent resource

8. NEXT MEETING TIME

Immediately following the pounding of the gavel, Mr. Daltry stated that the next meeting is scheduled for August 21st.

9. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Daltry adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Shirley E. Rost