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Smart Growth Task
 Force
 

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Minutes

January 15, 2003

1.  CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS, REVIEW OF AGENDA

The meeting of the Lee County Smart Growth Advisory Committee was opened by Chairman Dennis Gilkey at 6:10 p.m. in the First Floor Meeting Room of the Lee County Administration Building. The following Committee Members were in attendance:

Mr. Jack Eikenberg
Mr. Lee Ford
Mr. Dennis Gilkey
Mr. Brian Griffin
Mr. Bill Hammond
Ms. Carol Hudler
Mr. Bob Janes
Ms. Ellen Lindblad
Mr. Rudy Marion
Mr. Steve Maxwell
Mr. Arnold Rosenthal
Mr. Steve Smith (replacing Mr. Marty Harrity)
Mr. Don Stilwell

The following Committee members were excused absent:

Ms. Jeannie Dozier

Ms. Kate English

Mr. Don Eslick

Mr. Rob Fowler

Mr. Tim Kenny

2.      ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

A.     MINUTES OF DECEMBER 18, 2002

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

Mr. Jack Eikenberg moved approval, seconded by Mr. Bob Janes, called and
carried.

At this time Mr. Wayne Daltry introduced Mr. Stephen Smith as a new member of the Committee (he replaces Mr. Marty Harrity).

3.      ACTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS SECTION

A.   COMMUNITY CHARACTER ISSUES (distributed)

The list reviewed on December 18th has been reworked into categories, which may or may not be acceptable to the committee and may be revised or removed.  Review, amend, and/or approve the Issue List for Evening Workshop.

A new list dated January 13th, copy on file, is the latest and the subject of tonight’s discussion.  Mr. Daltry briefly reviewed the list, noting it will go to the Workshop on February 5th.  Mr. Hammond suggested that “operational definitions” be developed for each of the headings, to set the parameters of what is dealt with in Community Character, Land Use, etc.  It was agreed that Affordable/Work Force Housing should have it’s own category.  Following an in-depth discussion, Mr. Steve Maxwell moved to approve the list, seconded by Mr. Bill Hammond, called and carried.

B.   WATER ISSUES PROGRESS REPORT (distributed)

Review, amend, and/or approve the Issue List for Day Workshop.

Mr. Daltry announced that the full day Workshop on this topic is scheduled for March 14th.  The list discussed is as of November 6, 2002.  An in-depth discussion ensued, wherein Mr. Akin Owosina, South Florida Water Management District, responded to Committee inquiry.  Mr. Steve Maxwell moved approval of this list, seconded by Mr. Arnold Rosenthal, called and carried.

C.  ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ISSUES PROGRESS REPORT (distributed)

Review, amend, and/or approve the Issue List for Day Workshop.

Mr. Daltry noted that this list is the result of the Workshop on December 4th and shown to this group on December 18th.  Eventually the Water and Water Quality Issues will be combined.  Mr. Daltry suggested using the format of the Community Character List.  This list will go to the March 14th Workshop, with a preview at the February meeting.  It will probably be titled the Water/Environmental Quality List.  The Committee discussed the cost benefits of environmental funding.  Mr. Maxwell moved, “that we could craft something, (c) cost benefit or the value of cost benefit”; Ms. Carol Hudler suggested, “cost benefit/value applied to green infrastructure of environmental planning”.  It was agreed to make this number twelve and part of number 5.  Mr. Hammond so moved; to include (c) and 12, seconded by Mr. Jack Eickenberg, called and carried.

Following a brief intermission, the meeting resumed.  Mr. Daltry advised that the Smart Growth Committee will reimburse Committee Members for the ULI meeting on February 21st, Spanish Wells Country Club, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Regarding Advisory Boards, a green flier was distributed.  Mr. Tim Jones, Assistant County Attorney, elaborated on conflicts of interest on this committee or other advisory boards. 

4.      SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

A.     LAND USE ISSUE LIST/PROGRESS REPORT (distributed)

This item will have been revised at the January 8th Evening Workshop, and a revised item will be e-mailed to you after that date and redistributed at this meeting.  It is tentatively scheduled for the February 28th Day Workshop.

Mr. Daltry noted that the Land Use – Smart Growth, dated January 8, 2003, has been recommended by the sub-committee in this form.  Mr. Brian Griffin moved it to the Workshop, seconded by Ms. Carol Hudler, called and carried.  The Workshop is scheduled for February 28th in the Court House, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Either Community Character or Land Use will be discussed.  The Committee agreed to stick with Land Use on February 28th, discussing Community Character on April 4th. 

Just prior to adjournment, Ms. Ellen Linblad pointed out that Item B 6 on the Land Use list should be B 7.

5.      OTHER BUSINESS

A.     CONVERTING THE ISSUES INTO “REVIEW” ITEMS

A demonstration of how “smart growth” recommendations will be used.

Mr. Daltry presented this demonstration, converting issues into a review checklist.  He noted that the report is approaching what the Committee wants it to be.

B.  REVIEW THE TRANSPORTATION WORKSHOP   WORKBOOK

The Workbook for the January 24th Workshop will be reviewed, and revisions hurriedly pursued.

Mr. Daltry reviewed the Workbook, section by section and advised that representatives of the various transportation entities will be speaking to the Committee at the Workshop.  Mr. Dave Loveland, Lee Country Transportation Department, responded to Committee inquiry regarding transportation funding.  Mr. Tim Jones, Assistant County Attorney, explained the use of Impact Fees.  Mr. Daltry noted that the Regional Planning Council is devoting up to eight people for this Workshop.   

6.      PUBLIC COMMENT

The Chairman called for Public Comment and the following person came forward:

            Ms. Karen Forsythe, Director, Lee County Lands, announced that the Conservation Land Acquisition and Advisory Committee will be holding five public meetings, pursuant to Board direction, to share with the public the accomplishments of the Conservation 20/20 Program.  The first meeting will be tomorrow, January 16th at Cypress Lake Middle School at 6:30 p.m.  The location and dates for the other meetings are on their web site at www.lee-county.com.  Ms. Forsythe advised that today her department closed on 2,040 acres of property that lies south of SR 82 running almost to Alico Road, behind the airport.  The Conservation 20/20 inventory is now at 10,025 acres.  Mr. Brian Griffin noted that there are 38 miles of coastline that have been put aside.

7.      NEXT MEETING TIME

The next meeting is scheduled for February 19, 2003, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Lee County Administration Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room.

8.      ADJOURMNENT

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted
Shirley E. Rost