Summary of Input from Second Workshop

MEMORANDUM

TO: Local Planning Agency

FROM: Carol Cunningham

DATE: March 31, 1997

SUBJECT: Summary of Comments and Input from "Enhancing Our Resources" Workshop

INTRODUCTION

The following provides a summary of the "Enhancing our Resources" workshop, the second community-wide workshop for the comprehensive plan, held on March 22, 1997.

The specific purposes of this workshop were for the community to review and respond to the concepts developed by Dover, Kohl & Partners from the "Designing Our Town" Workshop, and to identify issues and propose recommendations to enhance and preserve the town's environmental, cultural, and historic resources.

More broadly, the workshop provided an opportunity to build upon the outreach network initiated in the first workshop; to expand the concept of what makes a "livable" community to include sustainable, accessible natural resource amenities; to find common ground and build cooperative relationships; and to see opportunities for hands-on involvement in the management and stewardship of the Town's resources.

WORKSHOP SUMMARY

After welcoming remarks from Mayor Anita Cereceda and John Mulholland, Chairman of the Local Planning Agency, Bill Spikowski provided an overview of the workshop.

Improving Our Community Through Urban Design

This presentation by Victor Dover of Dover, Kohl & Partners outlined the four basic community design ideas which emerged from the previous workshop "Designing our Town":

Estero Boulevard -- "Tame It and Frame It." Estero Boulevard is the premier public space on the Island, and it needs a coherent organization including proper placement of trees, sidewalks, parking lots etc.
Residential streets should increasingly become more shady, friendly spaces.
Redevelopment sites should embody the "traditional neighborhood" concepts including mixed uses and pedestrian-oriented forms to achieve a design that feels complete and minimizes trips onto Estero Boulevard.
Pedestrian and cyclist connections throughout the Island should be undertaken as a long term effort, beginning now and completed over time.

Victor Dover elaborated on these four basic ideas as follows:

Estero Boulevard -- "Tame It and Frame It"

Estero Boulevard should be calm, walkable, safe, interesting, and beautiful. Estero Boulevard is part of the Town's economic engine, and its character and beauty is important not only to those that live here but to our visitors. Successful tourism depends on the memories folks take home with them.
The newly renovated Huston Studio is a fine example of architecture and urbanism.
Make it a priority to extend the network of sidewalks.
Pick up the "Avenue of Palms" concept from the early years on Fort Myers Beach.
Design the streets so that their design changes the behavior of motorists.
Move palm trees to the street edge of the sidewalk.
Minimize the width of Estero Boulevard.
Have traffic calming techniques applied liberally.
Line with palm trees.
Bring buildings close to the sidewalk. An example of this concept and of flood-elevated construction is the old hardware store, with steps up outside (and potentially more steps up inside).

Residential Streets -- "Achieve a Higher Ambition"

Incorporate regularly spaced street and shade trees.
Borrow from the design tradition of cottages utilizing front porches and decks, having the fronts face the streets.
In the few areas where there is potential for new development, introduce alleys where trash pickup and driveways can occur away from public display.
Minimize lane widths.
Design tight street corner dimensions.
Any new streets should be part of a highly connected network which includes mid-block paths and alleys.

Redevelopment Areas of Focus

In addition to the Core Area which has been the subject of extensive planning, the areas of the Island which are the subject of special community design focus include:

Crescent Street to Bay Oaks

School Street
Makes connection from bay side to beach side.
Park/school entrance needs to be commemorated and celebrated.
At the end of School Street -- encourage a civic effort to bring back the arches, instill community pride, may change quality of life and "memorability."
School Street image -- move on historic buildings (or infill with new buildings that match).
Potential location for "signature" structure such as a new civic building would be at the end of the long straight view along Estero Boulevard, looking from Times Square to where the road curves (where the First Union Bank is now).

Pearl Street to the Red Coconut

The Gulfview/Red Coconut area has future potential to redevelop as a traditional neighborhood:
The specific uses are not as important as:
1) retaining connection and views to water.
2) Providing a mix housing types -- detached cottages and houses, row houses, townhouses, apartment buildings. Estero Blvd edge needs more durable building type such as apartments, bed and breakfast, or other mixed use including some commercial at ground level.
Lots in the neighborhood would have fronts and backs and street trees, with streets interconnected from Donora and Shell Mound.
Implementing such a "traditional neighborhood" concept would require revisions to the land development code, particularly pertaining to lot size and setbacks.

Villa Santini Area

For a section along Estero Blvd. about 1000 feet long:
Bring buildings closer to street.
Re-route or culvert the existing drainage ditches.
Return on-street parking (diagonal).
Don't need lots of new commercial intensity but it should be re-configured (a concept plan was presented for Villa Santini Plaza which included an area in front for a new structure and locations further back for a small cinema, plus a central green/plaza area for overflow parking and for a trolley transfer point).
On-street parking and parking behind the front building.
Town needs to decide whether it wants a neighborhood-scaled Main Street (strategic location, looks like a town, pedestrian friendly), or a strip commercial center as it is now.

Island-Wide Pedestrian and Bicycle Connections

A system of "hidden paths" off Estero Boulevard meandering through the Island, interconnected as continuously as possible.
Local foundation, or a community land trust, could acquire existing vacant lots and easements gradually over time as they become available.
Change the land development code, if necessary, to allow smaller lots where a path goes through.

Community Input: Improving Our Community Through Urban Design

The following summarizes the discussion in the small groups which focused first on the Villa Santini area (11:30 group) and then on the Bay Oaks/Red Coconut areas (1:00 group).

Crescent Street to Bay Oaks/ Pearl Street to Red Coconut area

LIKES

Cottage Preservation throughout Island (allow changes in use?).
Cottage Preservation (as historic preservation) may allow codes to be relaxed.
Estero Boulevard -- change location of palms to outside of sidewalk.
Bike/pedestrian trail (hidden paths) -- with small parks and landscaping.
Shade trees on residential streets.

CONCERNS

Where is the heart of the Island (civic center?).
Should cottages be saved? preserved? updated?
Should buildings be set back in single-family house areas?
Deal with buildings on an individual basis -- allow more flexibility.
What replaces cottages (architectural review for each submittal?)
What about neighbors to the "hidden path" network?
What about traffic at interconnected streets?
What about the danger of falling trees on residential streets during high water?

Villa Santini Area

LIKES

Adds to character/ambiance of south end.
Diagonal parking to calm traffic.
Sidewalks at and around Santini.
Possibility of overlay district.
Has advantage of dealing with a common owner/management vs. multiple owners.

CONCERNS

Diagonal parking backing onto Estero Blvd.
No cross street connection.
Assurance of back alleys for delivery trash and dumpsters.
Need for separate paths for walkers and bikes, plus bike storage.
Provide for minimum number of driveways and turn offs.

Issues Related to Mother-in Law Apartments

Following Victor Dover's presentation, Bill Spikowski made a brief presentation of the issues related to mother-in-law apartments in Fort Myers Beach, inviting those interested in helping to formulate policy proposals to explore the issue in depth in the breakout group. The output of both sessions of discussion on this issue is summarized below.

Community Input: Issues Related to Mother-in Law Apartments

It's probably OK to make the rules on accessory apartments a little more lenient because these apartments are so prevalent at Fort Myers Beach, but don't let this be an excuse to damage the character of neighborhoods.
Some units might be OK at their locations but they may be fire hazards because of poor construction.
Let's not make any changes that could induce FEMA to pull flood insurance from all other property owners.
Some units are called mother-in-law apartments but they're really sub-standard rental apartments that violate neighborhood standards.
There is a real problem of over-occupancy of some rental units, including some single-family homes. What can the Town do to prevent this?

The following approach may be workable for new rules at Fort Myers Beach:

Allow several paths to a permit for a legal mother-in-law apartment:
OK if it was built before zoning began in 1962; or
OK if it complies with zoning and the comprehensive plan density limits (which should be modified where appropriate); or
OK (maybe) if it's a single small apartment in an owner-occupied home.
In any case, do not legalize or allow any units that violate the FEMA regulations, or which cannot meet proper building inspections
Apartments that meet these criteria would be placed on some type of registry so that:
they do not need to be re-investigated if a complaint arises; and
the authorities can levy whatever taxes or fees are proper for the unit in question.

A comprehensive memorandum which identifies and evaluates options developed by the consulting team and reviewed by the public at this workshop and which recommends a policy direction for use in the comprehensive plan is being provided to the LPA for consideration in their April 8, 1997 meeting.

Enhancing our Natural and Cultural Assets: Overview

Our first speaker during this portion of the workshop was Roger Clark, Lee County Parks and Recreation, who provided an overview of the many environmental resources near Fort Myers Beach. He noted the opportunity to enhance the birding potential of Bowditch Point and the need for removal of the Australian Pines (enhancements that could be made regardless of the outcome of the current land swap under consideration). He reviewed the progress of re-vegetation of the Matanzas Pass Preserve, noting the availability of the recently completed Master Plan for the Preserve and inviting folks to join in the upcoming Preserve and Historic Cottage area work day scheduled for April 19. He provided an overview and status of implementation of the three phases of improvements planned for Lovers Key.

Matanzas Pass Preserve

Lois Gressman, Friends of the Matanzas Pass Preserve, reviewed the history of the Preserve, its ultimate transfer to Lee County, and the history of the Town's dedication to its preservation, including formation of the non-profit organization "Friends of the Matanzas Pass." Lois explained why the Preserve is important in our ecological system and reviewed the opportunities for educational use and for "hands-on" involvement in managing and caring for the Preserve.

Lois and Roger conducted tours through the Matanzas Pass Preserve throughout the remainder of the workshop.

Island History/Historic Cottage

A.J. Bassett, resident of Fort Myers Beach since 1940, reviewed the history of the development and character of Fort Myers Beach from tiny fishing village to bustling tourist destination. She emphasized that to grow as a community, people must be willing to give things back. Her presentation culminated in describing the most recent achievement of the Fort Myers Beach Historical Society, the completion and opening of the Historic Cottage which was moved to its current location, refurbished, and is soon to serve as both museum and interpretive center for the Preserve.

Those who took the Matanzas Pass Preserve tour also viewed Lois Gressman's slide presentation of the natural features of the Preserve and Judy Fitzsimons' slide presentation of the history of development on the Island, and toured the Historic Cottage.

Heritage and Nature-Based Tourism

Arden Arrington, naturalist/historian of Calusa Coast Outfitters introduced his session on Heritage and Nature-Based Tourism. He re-emphasized the concept that successful tourism hinges on the memories that people take back with them. He noted that Florida tourism studies find that the interest has shifted significantly towards visiting natural and cultural sites (as opposed to merely commercial attractions). Ironically, the increasing number of people visiting Fort Myers Beach and the surrounding area will impact the very resources they are coming here to see. He noted the need for thinking in terms of sustainability of resources and for educating folks on how to conserve them.

Community Input: Following a slide presentation in the breakout group, participants identified issues and made recommendations:

Issues:

protection of sea grasses, mud flats, rookery islands.

Recommendations:

Establish principles that promote "sustainability" in Eco/Heritage Tourism.
Work toward possible legislation to promote those principles and enforcement.
Town needs to take a leadership role in enacting ordinances, facilitating resolution of jurisdictional problems.
Establish a task force or council on eco/heritage tourism for Fort Myers Beach.
Create a task force with members from all barrier islands.
Create an umbrella organization structure to coordinate and reconcile efforts of the numerous citizen/volunteer organizations.
Educate residents and rental providers.
Create signs for rental boats reminding users of protected areas and regulations.
Circulate brochures to educate users.
On-site education for personal water craft operators.
Mark rookery islands.
Establish more restricted areas and traffic calming techniques in Estero Bay.
Establish special rules for designated core wildlife areas.
Establish areas where boats may safely go or should avoid.

Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area and Related Beach Systems

Ilene Barnett, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, spoke about Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area and related beach systems, defining beaches as "shorefront areas of un-consolidated" and noting these areas are always evolving. She demonstrated the evolution of Little Estero Island with a series of aerial photos dating back to the 1940's. In describing the need to protect and preserve our beach areas, she noted that beaches are the first line of defense in a storm and cited the importance of dune vegetation in encouraging the beach to grow naturally. Little Estero Island, home to over 150 species, is becoming nationally known and used by many bird and wildlife photographers.

Community Input: Following a slide presentation in the breakout group, participants formulated their vision for the future of Little Estero Island: keep it natural and continue to enhance protection of wildlife and habitat. Participants then identified issues and made recommendations:

Issues:

Mowing /raking on shoreline Litter/garbage
Foot traffic/dune vegetation disturbance Dogs
Exotic vegetation Commercial operations
Vehicles, boat traffic, and ultra light planes disturbing wildlife

Recommendations:

Management/enhancement of resource areas, including designation of pedestrian trails and dune walkovers and adding informational and interpretive signage.
Recognize the resource in the comprehensive plan and develop guidelines to protect it. Guidelines should be developed into land development regulations.
Plant shoreline vegetation to replace lost vegetation from unnatural causes.
Prepare and adopt a lighting ordinance for turtle nesting.
Ban commercial activities on Little Estero Island.
Increase public education through signs, brochures, seminars to encourage proper use re: birds, turtles, shells, and to limit dogs.
Accompany regulation with enforcement.
Improve (interagency and interdepartmental) communication among agencies and entities having jurisdictional responsibility; periodically schedule speakers to report to the Town Council on environmental subjects.
Establish a volunteer task force to promote and oversee stewardship of the area.
Enact legislation to protect the area for the future as a preserve.
Consider purchasing more beach front.

Aquatic Preserve/Harbor Issues

Joanne Semmer, President of the Ostego Bay Foundation, spoke about the formation and current educational, research, and conservation work of the Foundation and brought exhibits of marine life found in the Bay area. She described the network of activities at the waterfront related to the fishing and shrimping industry, and made the link to the need for conservation of water quality in the bay to the health of these industries. She described the oil spill cleanup functions undertaken by an industry cooperative as one example of conservation activities.

Heather Stafford, State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, spoke about the jurisdictional responsibilities of her agency in this area and the functions of her office. She described the location, extent, and function of the Aquatic Preserve and buffer area, and the location for public access.

Community Input: During the breakout group sessions, participants described their vision for the Harbor as being cleaner and having a positive impact on the quality of life. They identified issues and provided recommendations as follows:

Issues:

Water quality.
Compatibility of uses -- need to address issue of commercial use and zoning of Bay frontage and surrounding properties on Estero Island.
Anchorage issues: waste; derelict vessels; etc.
Limiting personal water craft uses.

Recommendations:

Create a task force of local, state, federal, private and nonprofit groups together to determine need and make recommendations.
Support acquisition of Bunche Beach for its preservation.
Research grant opportunities.
Provide Gulf launch access and designated areas for use of personal water craft, since they now must be launched in the Bay even if that isn't their destination.
Provide increased protection for wildlife through use of such means as buffer areas and possible legislation.
Provide education re: all issues to all user groups.

NEXT STEPS

Information and input from this workshop will be used by the consultant team and the LPA in formulating policy for the following comprehensive plan elements, which will be provided in preliminary draft form to the LPA beginning this spring:

First draft preliminary Community Design and Livability Element (technical background, draft illustrations, goals, objectives, and policies)
First draft Conservation and Coastal Management Element (technical background, goals, objectives, and policies); and
First draft Recreation, Open Space, and Cultural Element (technical background, goals, objectives, and policies) (scheduled for fall of 1997)