of the
Smart Growth Task
 Force
 

 

Approved Recommendations

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MINUTES

 

June 19, 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 were present: 

Mr. Jack Eikenberg
Ms. Kate English
Mr. Dennis Gilkey
Mr. Brian Griffin
Dr. Ed Houck
Mr. Bob Janes
Mr. Tim Kenny
Ms. Jane Kuckel
Mr. Steve Maxwell
Mr. Arnold Rosenthal
Mr. Don Stilwell
Mr. John Witt  

The following Committee members were excused absent:


Mr. Lee Ford
Mr. Rob Fowler
Mr. Bill Hammond
Mr. Marty Harrity
Ms. Carol Hudler
Ms. Ellen Lindblad

2.      ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS  

A.     Minutes of May 30, 2002  

Mr. Brian Griffin moved to accept the Minutes as submitted, seconded by Dr. Ed Houck. 

Ms. Jane Kuckel requested a correction to the spelling of her name.  (Done with apologies.)  The motion was called and carried.

 

B.     Affirmation of Information  

Mr. Wayne Daltry presented the “Smart Growth Work Program”, noting that this is the information he is using when speaking to various organizations (identified as Agenda Item 2A in the back-up material).  If this Committee would like to insert any changes, they were asked to e-mail them to Mr. Daltry.  Eventually this will be posted on the web site.  The second part of this item included “Smart Growth Committee Work Tasks” (copy on file in the back-up material).  This list will be a Committee action item at the end of the fifth meeting.  This list will be continually updated by Committee discussion.  The third part of this item is entitled “Making it Work”, implementing Committee recommendations.  Referring to the absence policy of Lee County Advisory Boards, Mr. Griffin inquired if there were provisions in place regarding the number of meetings a Committee member could miss.  Mr. Daltry advised that he would advise the appointing official that his appointee is not showing up after two absences.  

3.      ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION SECTION  

A.     Review and Approve Mission Statement  

Within two years, lead and encourage diverse community involvement in establishing a consensus as to what constitutes “Smart Growth” for Lee County and how to achieve it.  

Mr. Wayne Daltry presented this item and inquired if anyone had any changes to make in the statement.  Mr. Gilkey inquired if the statement should include that the Committee would forward recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.  All agreed on this change.  Mr. Rosenthal questioned the meaning of “diverse” and asked if the word could be left out.  Mr. Daltry agreed and acknowledged that he will accept the direction to finalize this Mission Statement and bring it to the next meeting for final action. 

B.     Review and Approve 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.  

Mr. Daltry requested a motion to accept this as the Committee’s Vision Statement.  Mr. Dennis Gilkey so moved, seconded by Mr. Brian Griffin, called and carried.  (This material is moving to the website.) 

4.      DEVELOPING CONSENSUS  

A.     Land Use Issues  

Mr. Daltry called for an open discussion on what the Committee feels Smart Growth should address in land use.  An in-depth discussion that followed included the following suggestions:  

Establishment of an imaginary line that beyond which there would be no increases in density

Giving developers incentives to develop where there is infrastructure

                        Cluster development

Reviewing how Sarasota, Charlotte and Collier Counties have coped with these problems to save green rural areas

Mitigation banking

Industrial development

Building of Schools and Community Services; the Interlocal Agreement between the County and the School Board            

Mr. Paul O’Connor, Lee County Planning Department, responded to inquiry regarding Industrial Development.  Mr. Daltry advised that for the next meeting there will be one Land Use Statement.  It was noted that no one on the Committee represents Cape Coral; Mr. Daltry pointed out that he goes to the MPO to include them and the other cities.  In summing up, Mr. Daltry advised that in reality this has to work for each of you at home.  Remembering that one size does not fit all.  The question is, how do we economically, financially and fiscally make this work for the different communities in a way that is sustainable.  

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

 

5.      INFORMATIONAL BRIEFINGS/EDUCATION  

A.     Transportation, the Modes and the Players  

David Loveland (assisted by Jami McCormack/Lee Port Authority and Steve Myers/Lee Tran) will provide a brief overview of the Transportation Planning process, its various modes, and how they exist in the network of other local plans, regional plans, and sub-state/state agency plans.  

Mr. David Loveland, Manager of Transportation Planning, Lee County Department of Transportation, described the many agencies involved in transportation in Lee County.  The transportation model used in Lee County includes parts of Charlotte and Collier Counties.  He described the number of TAZs (Traffic Analysis Zones) in Lee County and how his department reached its projections for the year 2020.  He explained how the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) interacts with the County.  In describing the time needed to build a road, Mr. Loveland noted that of the four phases used by FDOT; each phase takes about two years.  The phases are Project Design and Environmental Study, Design Stage, Right of Way Acquisition and then the Construction Stage.  Lee County has a five year Capital Improvement Plan that includes roads.  Funding for local roads comes from the Local Option Gas Tax and from Road Impact Fees.  (For full information, the MPO website is www.swfrpc.org/mpo.htm.) 

Mr. Steve Myers, Lee Tran, noted that the MPO also oversees the planning activities for Lee Tran, mainly because of the amount of State and Federal funding in their budget.  Mr. Myers gave a brief overview of Lee Tran and pointed out the role of transit in the community.  (Back-up for Mr. Myers presentation is on file.) 

Mr. Bill Horner, Lee County Port Authority, outlined the transportation planning process at both Page Field and at the International Airport.  Funding comes from FAA, FDOT, Intermodel funds for surface transportation and from user fees.  Once again the Port Authority plans must be consistent with the MPO plan.  He explained that expansion of the International Airport started February 23rd; this is a $386 Million project that will result in a 28-gate midfield terminal with a new parking structure plus new road access.  Charts were used in both Mr. Loveland’s and Mr. Myers’ presentations. 

Mr. Daltry pointed out that there are four other modes of transportation that will be discussed in the future; they are: 

            Water Transportation

            Rail Transportation

            Sidewalks

            Bike Paths 

A question and answer period followed.  

B.     Conclusions drawn by the Smart Growth Task Force regarding “Transportation”.  

Mr. Loveland et al will be asked to respond to the problem statements developed by the Task Force.  

Mr. Daltry requested that the three presenters look at the issues and send him a response.

 

6.      OTHER EVENTS  

A summary of activities that may be considered “smart growth” will be distributed.  

The impact of 1000 people can be found in the back-up material.  (This material is moving to the website.) 

Mr. Daltry called for Public Input and the following persons came forward:  

            Ms. Bonnie Kranzer, South Florida Water Management District, inquired if the age factor is figured into the transit plan  

            Mr. Dan Moser, opined that the federal government is working to keep people in their individual automobiles  

7.   NEXT MEETING TIME  

The next meeting of the Smart Growth Committee will be Wednesday, July 17th either in this room or in the Administrative Building. *  

8.      ADJOURNMENT  

Mr. Daltry adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m.

 

                                                      Respectfully submitted,

                                                      Shirley E. Rost


*  It has been confirmed that the July 2002 meeting will be held in the Public Works/Community Development 1st Floor Conference Room.