Draft Minutes
SMART GROWTH
August 17, 2005 Minutes
Time and Place: Wednesday, August 17, 6‑8 p.m., 1st Floor,
Lee County Administration Building 2115 Second Street, Fort Myers
Florida.
The
following Members were in attendance:
Mr. Rudy
Marian
Mr. O.
Lee Ford
Ms. Jill
Tyrer
Mrs.
Carie Obenchain
Mr. Rob
Fowler
Dr.
Elinor Scricca
Mr. Neal
Noethlich
Mr. Ron
Hamel
Mr. Don
Eslick (Arrived at 6:26 p.m.)
Mr. Steve
Maxwell (Arrived at 6:24 p.m.)
The
following committee members were excused absent:
Mr.
Dennis Gilkey
Mr. Jack
Eikenberg
Mr. Brian
Griffin
Ms. Ellen
Lindblad
Mr. Bill
Hammond
The
following staff was in attendance:
Commissioner Janes (Arrived at 6:40 p.m. Departed at 7:43 p.m.)
Don
Stilwell, County Manager (Departed at 7:22 p.m.)
Wayne
Daltry, Director Smart Growth
Tim
Jones, County Attorney (Arrived at 6:44 p.m.)
Lucy
Crook, Recording Secretary
I.
Call To Order, Introductions, Review of Agenda
Neal Noethlich opened the meeting of the Lee County Smart
Growth Advisory Committee at 6:09 p.m., in the First Floor Meeting Room
of the Lee County Administration Building.
2.
Administrative
Matters
A. Minutes of June 15, 2005.
Action Needed: “Accept and Approve” the minutes as amended by
discussion of the members.
MOTION: Neal Noethlich entertained a motion to accept and approve
the June 15, 2005 minutes. Don Eslick moved to approve minutes,
seconded by Rudy Marian. Called and carried.
3.
Action items: (None)
4.
Presentation Items: Wayne Daltry introduced Glen Ahlert, Lee
County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Coordinator
A. Long Range Transportation Plan Update, Lee
MPO
Mr.
Ahlert explained that Lee and Collier County are currently working on
the required five year MPO Plan update to gain joint alternatives for a
25-year outlook. The 20/30 Plan will replace the 20/20 Plan implemented
ten years ago.
The
driving force to analyze transportation planning forecasts and predict
traffic in the two county zone areas initiated the Urban Land
Allocation Model. He explained how growth is replicated by bits of
information based from the 2000 Census Year and the previous 1990-Year.
This developed an Allocation of Development Activity and Social Economic
Characteristics constrained on the basis of controlled forecast
predicated by EER population and demographic forecasts. It ties
employment and school enrollment to obtain the population projection
implementing a distribution list of population for; housing, seasonal
households, three categories of employment, school enrollment,
hotel/motel units, vacancy rates as well as household size and
proportion of household (1 or 2 vehicles) to the household forecasted
through 20/30.
Mr.
Ahlert also discussed the Gravity Model that distributes trips
from the Production Zone to the Attraction Zones and assigned to a
Transportation Network. The model would design trips from zone to
zone until it reaches an Equilibrium Traffic Assignment. This would
predict what the traffic might be on any given network. Currently
developing a Financial Resource Forecast, testing a 20/30-highway
element and developing a Financial Feasible Plan. Recommendations will
be decided in October at the Planning Organization. Public Hearings will
be held at the MPO meeting in November to be adopted by December 8,
2005.
The
condensed time frame will limit the number of alternatives to be tested
before the adoption. Mr. Ahlert said refinements would be ongoing over
the next couple of years due to the haste to make the December deadline.
(Steve Maxwell arrived at 6:24 p.m.)
Transit Element –A consultant will look at the Needs Assessment
where highway money could fund the bus system for a tentative plan
adoption in 2010. (Don Eslick arrived at 6:26 p.m.) Some of the Needs
Assessment will involve adding a route system, bus capacity for Park &
Ride Facility and Transfer Stations. Plans would be for the Transit
Authority to finance the growth and development through Ad Valorem
Taxes.
Bus Rapid Transit – Currently pursuing two concepts
associated to a rail system that are used in other parts of the world:
1. Rubber tire buses, similar to a light rail line with dedicated lanes,
traffic signal priority, etc.
2. Seminole Rail Corridor Study - Lee/Collier MPO’s have placed a
work order to evaluate the Seminole Rail Corridor using various types of
modes. It is expected that bus-way recommendations such as commuter
rail track service or light rail system would be within the right-of-way
on separate tracks, (either electrified or diesel powered.)
Water Board Transits – Will offer major shortcuts by water. Arthur
Anderson Associates in Seattle will evaluate routes and conduct a
feasibility study to encompass; appropriate vessels, using private
operator, contract operator or public service operator, location of
landings, land-use, etc.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Element – The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
has identified the responsibility (indicated in their policy) to
retrofit state highway improvements and bicycle/pedestrian paths. There
is 1-1/2 million dollars set aside for improvements. Discussion is
underway to scale back and catch up by 20/30. He anticipates funding to
be a big issue.
Congestion Mitigation Transportation System Management Projects –
Funds set aside for problems as they arise. The main purpose for this
$750,000.00 a year funding is for intersection improvements, mostly turn
lanes. There is discussion to increase funding.
Intelligent
Transportation Systems – Involves application of telecommunications
and computer technologies for the Management Of Transportation
Operations to Transit to include Emergency Services where
communications are part of Intelligent Transportation. (Commissioner
Janes arrived at 6:40 p.m.)
Freight
– Will piggyback on the completed SW Florida Freight, FDOT District
1 Study.
Questions and Answers: Mr. Ahlert confirmed Mr. Marian’s request
that I-75 would have four express lanes and six general use lanes.
Mr.
Ahlert responded to Mr. Hamel’s question regarding Intelligent
Transportation System and traffic light synchronization. He explained it
would be a couple of years before the ATMS Integrated System is
upgraded. (Tim Jones arrived at 6:44 p.m.)
Mr.
Ahlert explained to Mr. Eslick that the 2000 Census Data (referred to
earlier) is used to calibrate the model and is updated with the Property
Appraisers Data.
Rob
Fowler discussed the Financial Model for Planning where the cost of
doing business and inflation is skyrocketing. Mr. Ahlert explained that
inflation is not part of the plan. Analysis is designed to plug in new
cost factors using planning level estimates. It is expected to be
refined as they go through the five-year update process.
Steve
Maxwell questioned the Transit Authority and how it will improve and
finance traffic circulation when mass of cars are using limited access.
He questioned the public’s response to taxation when growth should pay
it. He said this has been a reoccurring issue since 1978 and discussed
whom in Bonita Springs, or Sanibel would use a mass transit system. How
will this be accommodated to pay a tax? He said it would be interesting
to see the traffic lights synchronization and where the circulation
would be in 2010. He questioned what the indebtedness would for the
right-of-way to accommodate traffic circulation. Would bridges be
everywhere? Glen Ahlert clarified that some things have improved since
1978. He explained tolls would be relied on to buy right-of-ways, not
taxes.
Wayne
Daltry offered Mr. Ahlerts address,
http://www.swfrpc.org/contactus.htm for questions and reminded the
members that MPO incorporated the Smart Growth’s Transportation
Alternatives recommendations in their goal. MPO cannot change land use,
only work with the approved forecast land-use system and population
growth.
B.
Smart Growth Redevelopment “Gaming.” A power point (Attached).
Wayne
Daltry introduced Joe Beck, President, ATELIER, Landscape Architect
1585, and a Landscape Architecture Planner. This presentation would give
an idea of what landscape can do with intersection sites in Lee County.
Mr. Beck took Wayne Daltry’s photographs and created Smart Growth design
principles. One of the things he explained was how urban designs could
slow down traffic.
After
the presentation Wayne Daltry explained, “This is how to engage in a
Community Planning Forum, using the computer and digital camera to free
your imagination.”
Discussion: Rob Fowler discussed a situation he encountered where
Lee County does not include Smart Growth concepts. He discussed Lee
Blvd. and Gunnery Road in the power point where Mr. Fowler recently
broke ground. The county restricted them to a box structure and would
not allow construction near the road. He explained how this concept
would cause redevelopment in the future. Mr. Fowler stressed that Smart
Growth should take “relief” concepts from the Land Development Code
before the land is developed and emphasized that this is not happening.
He continued that Smart Growth designs be established and declared into
a redevelopment area to motivate Land Development Code to structure
these concepts with new development. Mr. Fowler said, “You cannot get
relief in a district that is not supporting land development.” Wayne
Daltry agreed and asked Rob Fowler to meet
with him at the upcoming LPA in September and October where he
would have the opportunity to explain the current restrictions. (Break
at 7:20 p.m.), (Don Stilwell left at 7:22), (Reconvened break at 7:25
p.m.)
Next,
Wayne Daltry presented a power point by Swarup Mukherjee and Christian E
Polman, Lee County DCD/Division of Planning, (Attached)
“Smart
Thinking For The Future.”
Mr.
Daltry reminded the committee of the Brownfield presentation and how
this presentation includes a sketch within the property viewpoint taking
the broad streets and making the transit system narrow. Wayne Daltry
noted this is the direction to go, “Making the operational actually
work.” He said the Planning Department would receive copies of this
presentation. (Commissioner Janes departed at 7:43 p.m.)
5.
Other Business
A.
Groundwater Resource Report – Comments & - C. Progress on various
projects – Verbal, Wayne Daltry
Wayne
Daltry outlined progress on various projects:
· School
Planning Subcommittee implementing Smart Growth recommendations to” help
identify community use, connectivity and maximizing school structures
for community use.
· Water
management of river issues are moving towards the Caloosahatchee Water
Restoration Initiative and Partnership to deal with internal water
supplies, and tourism.
·
Babcock new owner is talking Smart Growth principles.
·
Lehigh Plan is going before BoCC in September with an
assessment by Public Works Department on the ongoing public
infrastructure needs and recommendations from Lehigh Planning Committee
for planning/reconstructive needs.
·
Smart Growth Committee needs more time: Will not have a
Smart Growth September meeting. This will allow new members to receive
a briefing and for Wayne Daltry to prepare an active work scope for the
next meeting in October.
B. Members identify those issues that may not have been addressed
to date.
Action Needed: Issues to be forwarded to the next meeting
Mr.
Hamel discussed the possibility of Rural Land Stewardship giving a
presentation on Principles of Stewardship Environmental Enhancement.
Wayne Daltry suggested that if enough members cannot make the
Regional Planning Council September 15th, 9:30 a.m., 1526
Victoria Street meeting, or the October M & P Workshop presentation,
then it could be included on a Smart Growth agenda.
Mr.
Daltry confirmed with Mr. Eslick that the critical Growth Management
Legislation Impact Fee Study would be monitored and shared
electronically due to the critical issue in road and school impact fees.
Mr.
Fowler expressed concern on how the speed of growth is outdated before
Smart Growth initiatives can be implemented. Concept of plan becomes
skeptical. Part of the Mission Statement should be, “How
Smart Growth can be implemented to include the means and methods to get
them in place.”
Wayne
Daltry concurred that it is time to work on the objective, but reminded
the committee since the state changed the rules with EAR, it has caused
a nine-month delay to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment instead of the
Land Development Regulation.
Lee
Ford requested that in the future, a hard copy and/or backup material
accompany the complicated presentations. Wayne Daltry agreed with Mr.
Ford’s request and apologized that a time crunch did not allow time for
backup material.
6.
There was no Public Comment.
***NO SEPTEMBER MEETING***
Set
next meeting date
(October19, 2005) identify agenda items, and adjourn.
7.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 – Don Eslick made motion to adjourn,
seconded by Rudy Marian.
Respectfully
submitted,
Lucy Crook
County Administration
