MINUTES
SMART GROWTH
October 17, 2007 Minutes
Time and Place:
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 from 6-8
p.m., 1st Floor, Lee County Administration Building at 2115
Second Street, Fort Myers, Florida.
1.
Call to Order, Introductions,
Review of Agenda
Chairman Griffin opened the meeting of
the Lee County Smart Growth Advisory Committee at 6:08 p.m. for
discussion until a quorum is met.
The following
committee members in attendance:
Dr. Margaret Banyan
Ms. Liz Paul
Ms. Jill Tyrer
Mr. Ron Hamel
Ms. Whitney Gray
Mr. Mike Mullins
Ms. Margaret Fineberg
Mr. Brian Griffin
The following committee members excused absence:
Mr. Jack Luft
Mr. Neal Noethlich
Mr. Lee Ford
Ms. Ellen Lindblad
Mr. Damon Romanello
Mr. Steven Teuber
Commissioner Ray Judah
Dr. Bill Hammond
Ms. Carie Call
The following staff in attendance:
Wayne Daltry, Director of Smart Growth
Tim Jones, County Attorney
Lucy Crook, Recording Secretary
Mr. Daltry reviewed the presentations for
this meeting. He introduced David Crawford, Sr. Planner, SW FL Regional
Planning Council. (Handout is attached). He said most debated
issue is disposal systems which are covered by Jamie Boswell’s power
point,
OSTDS MANAGEMENT.
3.
Discussion – (Moved
agenda item 3. up to 2. until a quorum is met).
A.
Lower West Coast Subcommittee on Water Quality, SWFRPC
– David Crawford, Sr. Planner presented his progress report on the
Lower West Coast Water Basin (LWCWB) Subcommittee
to improve water quality. (See attached handout.) He explained
last year water quality issues came to the forefront in a big way, so
the Regional Planning Council formed the subcommittee. It decided to
address: 1) Fertilizer - Lee County is reviewing a resolution; 2) Waste
Water Discharge; 3) Package Treatment; 4) On-site Wastewater Treatment
Systems – the Council passed a resolution that was sent to local
governments to bring all plants in the region to drinking water
standards, and 5) Storm Water - at the local level to improve quality.
(Ms. Tyrer arrived at 6:27 p.m.)
Questions:
Mr. Crawford replied that the fertilizer ordinance addressed only
professionals and does not regulate what is sold at retail; however,
Florida Commission of Agriculture is encouraging statewide environmental
slow release fertilizer. Mr. Crawford said Sanibel provides a disk on
how to fertilize your yard and is available by calling the Sanibel
Mayor’s office. Golf courses and agriculture have been regulated and are
exempt from the resolution. Homeowners are not regulated which is the
purpose of this resolution to educate citizens about runoff into the
water and more. In Florida, Xeroscape Landscape is best in place of the
white rock yards.
2. Administrative Matters
– Chairman Griffin asked to move for
approval of the minutes.
A.
Approval of Draft Meeting Minutes
of September 19, 2007.
Action Needed: Accept and approve the
minutes as amended by discussion of the members.
MOTION – Dr. Banyan moved to approve the September 19, 2007 draft
minutes; seconded by Ms. Fineberg. Called and carried.
OSTDS
Management,
a power point presented by Jaime Boswell, Environmental Scientist,
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, (attached).
Questions:
Ms. Boswell said it is difficult to pinpoint if the septic system is
failing if homeowner does not allow someone to check the systems. It was
found that older systems are failing compared to the new ones. The
Hendry Creek Watershed has a mixture of wastewater treatment types.
There is no database available to trace who is on septic. Mr. Daltry
said he will send the last page of this power point that provides
website addresses on education and certified maintenance provider. Last
year the Florida House passed a law that septic maintenance providers
are required to take a Continuing Education Class every year.
B. Overbuilding
for the Lot –
Chairman Griffin presented his power point on McMansions built on
80’ x 50’ square lots (attached). There are no restrictions on
lot size covered on substandard lots. This is a problem all over the
country.
Questions:
Mr. Mullins talked about bulk ordinances used in the Western
United States that limits amount of bulk on property. Ms. Gray gave her
experience with McMansions and made suggestions for local government to
make it more difficult to obtain variances. There was discussion.
Attorney Jones suggested establishing a set back with rules to change
the Land Code.
C.
Growth Management in Florida, a Primer - Mr. Daltry presented his
basic training power point for planning officials, (attached). It
begins with the history of civilization planning techniques before B.C.
4. Task Progress -
Mr. Daltry said one agenda item for the
next meeting is:
Action Item:
Traffic with Dan Moser.
Mr. Daltry asked members to state what
they would like to consider. Some of the discussion follows:
·
Chairman Griffin suggested
asking a mining representative to attend for a Q & A session. He
brought up the issue of the County considering underground utilities.
There was talk about the extreme expense and it is not impervious to
storm damage.
Action Item: Study Chairman Griffin’s recommendation on McMansion (power
point, Overbuilding for the Lot).
·
Ms. Gray - receive an
update on N. Ft. Myers and Lehigh planning efforts. Mr. Daltry offered
to send a web link to members.
·
Chairman Griffin - asked
former Cape Coral Mayor (who does studies for Lee County) to give a
presentation on what he feels is “coming down the road” for Lee.
A.
Member Issues-
·
Chairman Griffin referred
to Mr. Gilkeys' letter regarding the DRGR and asked to note when letters
are received, to mention what their interest is on the issue and if they
are paid by that entity. He talked about
Senator Bennett’s letter
addressed to the Commissioners regarding mining, (attached). He
commended Mr. Luft, Chairman for the DRGR Stakeholder Subcommittee in
Estero, for his outstanding job of running the meeting. Attorney Jones
said it is highly unlikely that regulations would be changed to prohibit
mining; “More appropriate rules and regulations will come into play to
prevent negative aspects.” Chairman Griffin talked about concern with
cluster development in the DRGR. He said, “It is important to take the
time to study this issue properly because we cannot go back after it is
done- this is our drinking water.”
·
Mr. Hamel received a
confirmation from Mr. Daltry that the steering committee timeline is in two
weeks when the appointment and structure process will go before the
Board of County Commissioners (BoCC). Mr. Daltry said they are looking
for representation from four interest groups. Members should contact him
if they are interested and BoCC will make appointments. Currently,
nothing more has been done.
B.
Other Progress Reports:
Discussed above.
5. Public Comment
– None.
6. Set next meeting (December
19) - identify agenda items
– see item 4, and Adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Lucy Crook, Recording Secretary
County Administration
Lee
