Smart Growth Lee

Minutes

SMART GROWTH MINUTES

February 15, 2006

Time and Place: Wednesday, February 15, 6-8 p.m., 1^st Floor, Lee County Administration Building 2115 Second Street, Fort Myers Florida.

I.                   Call to Order, Introductions, Review of Agenda

Brian Griffin opened the meeting of the Lee County Smart Growth Advisory Committee at 6:00 p.m.

The following Members were in attendance:

Mr. Bill Hammond

Mr. Don Eslick (Arrived 6:05 p.m.)

Mrs. Carie Call (Departed at 7:25 p.m.)

Mr. Lee Ford (Arrived 6:05 p.m.)

Ms. Jill Tyrer (Arrived at 6:10 p.m.)

Mr. Ron Hamel

Mr. Jack Luft

Ms. Ellen Lindblad

Mr. Jack Eikenberg

Mr. Brian Griffin

Ms. Whitney Gray

Mr. Neal Noethlich

Ms. Liz Donley

The following committee members were excused absent:

Mr. Steve Maxwell

The following committee members were unexcused absent:

Mr. Steven Teuber

Mr. Rob Fowler

The following staff was in attendance:

Wayne Daltry, Director Smart Growth

Commissioner Janes, District 1

Tim Jones, County Attorney

Lucy Crook, Recording Secretary

II.                Administrative Matters-

A.     Minutes of January 18, 2006.

Action Needed: Accept and approve the minutes as amended by discussion of the members.

Motion by Mr. Griffin to accept the draft January 18, 2006 minutes as written; seconded by Ron Hamel. Called and carried.

III.             Presentation (Invited – Handouts attached.)

A.     Fiscal Impact Analysis Model, SWFRPC. Wayne Daltry referenced the last meeting discussion about Fiscal Impact Analysis on Smart Growth Villages. He asked Ken Hetherington from Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council to discuss the Florida Regional Fiscal Impact Analysis Model (FIAM.) Mr. Hetherington asked, “Do we know how we got to FIAM”? (See FIAM Overview, attached.) To improve land use decision making by Florida’s local government and to make fiscal impact analysis a routine part of land use decision making and comprehensive planning. In 2002 Fishkind & Associates, Inc., were contracted to develop a model that local governments could use to analysis their fiscal responsibility; a data intensive Excel spreadsheet with 14 tabs. (Mr. Eslick and Mr. Ford arrived at 6:05 p.m.) FIAM asked the SWFRPC to attend training at Fishkind & Associates, Inc. and to assist the local government as the agent to the Department of Community Affairs. (Ms. Tyrer arrived at 6:10 p.m.) After reviewing the two versions of the model, SWFRPC found there are serious bugs in the budgetary model to evaluate the local Comp Plan for financial feasibility. He said FIAM’s project version is different from cities and counties Comprehensive Plans. FIAM is inconsistent with budget, SB 360 or with Fire District language. Mr. Hetherington announced that on February 23, 2006 SWFRPC will share training with local government. Mr. Hammond explained that marshes and green spaces save tax dollars and Fishkind’s Model does not appear to consider natural capital. State Parks or Preserves become a tax asset in terms of offset. Mr. Hetherington concurred that he will submit this recommendation.

B.     Babcock Planning, Bill Hammond

Mr. Hammond serves as the External Advisor for Babcock. The last two weeks consisted of multiple panels covering the economical/social, and the ecological/ environmental aspects. The urban planning and design were broken down into energy efficiency/alternative design, and social consequences/social design needs.   The next steps are county’s planners, staff, and Kitson’s group meeting to discuss the Comp Plan amendment place holders, then to public forum in early March, submit to the two county’s Comp Plans, and amendments move to an approximate two year DRI process. He said timelines are tough with the Babcock family contract ending in June. The water issue is problematic and may require a special act of the legislature. Mr. Kitson’s goal is to continue to run the ranch and make it the greenest development in the nation. There was discussion on a 1-1/2 to 2 mile wildlife corridor; a rock pit for their development that would create a lake system with an urban core on top to include a series of villages. The Water Management District is still being challenged to get a separate set of rules for SW Florida. Mr. Hammond said the Brooks Development should be a model of how to raise the water tables. Mr. Hammond explained that a Smart Growth issue would be rehydrating existing wetland systems instead of dropping the water tables and having water run off. He warned that if we do not convert while agribusiness community has most of the land, it will be lost to development.

C.     Citrus BMP’s, Ron Hamel

Mr. Hamel distributed one copy of the Best Management Practice service pack (BMP.) For the past 2-1/2 years, the Citrus Industry has worked with the Water Management District, Department of Agriculture Consumer Services, the National Resources Conservation Group (NRCS), Charlotte Harbor and the University of FL to create a BMP manual for the local region Citrus Industry. Four components were broken down into basic water resource management, erosion control and sediment management, pest and nutrient management. A volunteer team with the Department of Agriculture and University of FL IFAS are recruiting growers to use BMP for better farm management. Mr. Hamel concurred with Mr. Daltry that this is a part of Smart Growth recommendations; the same the Citrus Industry presented 10-15 years ago to the Water Management.

D.    River Initiative, Wayne Daltry (attached)

Wayne Daltry discussed the hand out, River & Estuary Report, the outcomes and the four components of strategy. He said that BoCC made a request for him to increase his investment in storm water infrastructure and water quality improvements and added $4,000,000.00 from this year’s budget to the current $6,000,000.00. Lee County paid $271,000,000.00 to compliment the mission of the SFWM and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for water, sewer service and solid waste disposal. He discussed the legislative piece that Lee County was told it would not get equal representation of the law. Mr. Daltry said Lee County will not stop until they do.

The research piece is the Red Tide. Lee County hired contrarians that are not liked by those in higher power, (this is documented by the National Academy of Science) to investigate unusual gulf phenomena. Hundreds of buoys were dropped to check gulf currents. Mr. Daltry explained where they were dropped and how the topography of old Florida is one hundred miles under water. It was found that south of Tampa where the Peace, Manatee, Hillsborough and Caloosahatchee Rivers merge and should flow into the gulf, lingers in eddies and moves plumbs of dirt slowly to the south and/or north as the winds blow. The nutrient contents above the fishing reefs (old bridges, boats, etc.) were sampled and documented before and after Hurricane Charlie. The nutrient level above the reef, after Hurricane Charlie, tripled 5-30 miles out. Since the current flow is not active, the hurricanes flushed the nutrient laden water into the Gulf. Mr. Daltry said the answer is to reduce the nutrients. He explained that the river strategy is an economic strategy. There is enough information to demonstrate a strong case of management, legislation, media and if necessary litigation. Mr. Daltry said Lee County plans to create a River Recovery subcommittee with surrounding counties.

(Break at 7:24; Carie Call left at 7:25 p.m.; Reconvened at 7:37 p.m.)

IV.              Discussion Topic

A.     Whither Smart Growth Initiative, Brian Griffin and all - When will Smart Growth cease functioning as a committee? Are we going to continue Smart Growth beyond 2030?

Mr. Daltry said all of the Smart Growth recommendations are in the Comp Plan. Some will lead to land development code amendments that will change some of the nature of current development. Most initiatives show that we have changed and that policy is in place. Staff and developer mindsets are changing to work more creatively with mixed-use concepts. The trick is to make sure Smart Growth iniatives become the doctrine and are institutionalized in Lee County.

Transportation Modeling - Single occupational vehicles cannot travel with current road system. It is necessary to increase roadway or reduce length of trip (through Smart Growth Village concept). It is not going to work unless cities and government agencies work together.

Mr. Daltry will stay as Smart Growth Director until March 27, 2007. He said, “The pay off is when Comp Plan has Smart Growth component that carries out the doctrines that have land development code that provides for flexibility.” (Commissioner Janes left at 7:45 and returned at 7:50 p.m.)

Mr. Griffin discussed workforce housing. Mr. Daltry concurred that the housing division estimated that there is a unit issue of 40,000 units. He explained, “There has to be a way to legitimize” strategically placed units with less square footage, i.e.; 400 to 1500 square feet units as in times of old. Mr. Ford said to provide the housing when and wherever you can even if there are more buyers than sellers. He said, “It is time to have a serious dialog with the people that are involved in the density issue until more and more people understand the real issue with density”.

B.     Smart Villages, continuation

Mr. Daltry said the update for the Smart Villages is next month’s homework.

            (See updated Smart Villages attached.)

V.                 Other Business

A. Members identify those issues that may not have been addressed to date.

Action Needed: Issues to be forwarded to the next meeting.

·        Mr. Daltry said the items for next meeting will be a continuation of Smart Growth Villages with a thirty year preview without them.

·        Mr. Hamel requested an update on the City of Ft. Myers proposal for downtown. Mr. Daltry confirmed he plans to ask Don Paight, City of Ft. Myers Redevelopment, to discuss downtown and the U.S. 41 Corridor at the March 15, 2006 meeting.

·        Mr. Hammond suggested a presentation on the Bonita Bay approach and partnership with the city on affordable housing in Eastwood Golf Course.

B.     Progress on various projects, verbal, Wayne Daltry - Discussed previously.

VI.              Public Comment

None.

VII.           Set next meeting date (April 19, 2006, identify agenda items, and adjourn.)

Motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Lindlblad. Called and carried.

Respectfully submitted by:

Lucy Crook, Recording Secretary

Lee County Administration