Press Release 8/1/07:  FOR FURTHER INFOMRATION, CALL: Donald Eslick, ECIF Chair (239) 949-4050
 

ESTERO COMMUNITY GROUP APPOINTS FORMER LEE COUNTY OFFICIAL
TO INVESTIGATE PLANNING FOR SENSITIVE DR/GR AREAS

The Estero Community Improvement Foundation signed a contract this week with Spikowski Planning Associates to examine planning alternatives for Lee County’s rural areas, including the environmentally sensitive Density Reduction / Groundwater Resource (DR/GR) area east of I-75.

Spikowski Planning Associates is a Fort Myers consulting firm founded by former Lee County Growth Management Director Bill Spikowski. Spikowski was closely involved in the initial DR/GR designation in 1990. He recently authored a new community plan and code covering rural areas on Pine Island.

The Spikowski report will investigate plans in rural portions of other Florida counties that might serve as planning models for the DR/GR. Recent plans in Sarasota County, St. Lucie County, Collier County, and Martin County will be analyzed to compare their strategies for reallocating development rights in order to preserve sensitive areas.

The report will also identify existing provisions of the Lee County Comprehensive Plan and related regulations that apply to the DR/GR that could be improved on an interim basis. County regulations applying to the DR/GR haven’t been addressed in their entirety since their creation in 1990. 

Because of Lee County’s explosive growth, DR/GR acreage once considered far removed from residential and commercial development is now closer to urban areas, most notably the unincorporated Estero community of south Lee County.

This acreage is also home to some of the largest limerock mines in the state. Mine expansion proposals have resulted in bitter disputes with nearby residents over the future of DR/GR lands and have called into question the effectiveness of current rules that should be protecting sensitive natural habitats and water resources.

The Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation provided a $30,000 grant for this study to the Estero foundation, which was established by the Estero Council of Community Leaders.

The report will be titled “Effective Planning Alternatives for Rural Lee County” and will be completed in late 2007. Upon completion the report will be presented to Lee County Commissioners to assist them in their efforts to update the County's plans for the DR/GR and other rural areas of Lee County.

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