The View From Here: Estero panel sets priorities

For nearly four years the Estero Council of Community Leaders has focused its efforts primarily on community-wide development issues. During this period, the ECCL's principal goal has been to work with our governmental agencies in an effort to grow our infrastructure as fast as our housing, population and commerce are growing.

Over the years the ECCL has successfully assisted the community on many roadway, roadway landscape, open space and recreation, arts development and public safety issues, to name a few. The ECCL is an all-volunteer organization that has benefited greatly from the large pool of talented retirees that has relocated in Estero since 1998. This talent pool has supplemented a smaller core of earlier Estero residents who had earlier anticipated the tidal wave of change that is now upon us.

As the community has grown so also have the challenges and the need for volunteers if Estero is to continue to be an outstanding, well-planned community. In order to recruit those volunteers, the ECCL has developed the following list of priority projects for the 2006 – 08 time periods and has scheduled a workshop on July 14 for Estero residents interested in learning about the projects that most interest you and helping to manage one of these 24 crucial projects. If you would like to participate in the workshop or to make some suggestions regarding these priorities, go to the following page on the ECCL Web site, http://esterofl.org/eccl/contact_eccl.htm, and send us an e-mail or call me at 949-4050.

Estero's Priority Issues for 2006 - 2008

Transportation and traffic

Complete six-laning of U.S. 41 from Corkscrew Road to San Carlos by late 2008 and a traffic signal at U.S. 41 and Estero Parkway at the earliest possible date.

Complete the Estero Parkway Flyover by late 2008.

Complete the three four-lane segments of Three Oaks Parkway by late 2007. The segments will extend the road from Bonita Beach Road to Coconut Road and from Corkscrew Road to Alico Road.

Complete a comprehensive Environmental Study and integrate it with Coconut I-75 Interchange Justification Report.

Support the Tollway Authority's effort to begin widening I-75 to 10 lanes no later than 2010.

Interact with the Metropolitan Planning Organization to ensure that Estero's transportation needs are included in all future transportation planning.

Obtain funding for and begin the design of the Sandy Lane extension south to Old 41 by the end of 2007.

Obtain funding for and begin the design of the six-laning of Corkscrew Road between Ben Hill Griffin and Three Oaks Parkway by the end of 2007.

Complete the right of way and permitting of the Corkscrew I-75 interchange so that construction of the new wider bridge can begin no later than 2010.

Widen the western approach to the Williams Road intersection with the help of Paradise Shoppes and the West Bay Club in two phases by December 2007.

Environment and the Density Reduction Groundwater Resource Area

By the end of 2006, obtain Board of County Commissioners' approval of a roadmap leading to a comprehensive DRGR data base and map that includes the following:

Population growth and density

Water supply and quality

Critical habitat needs

Wetlands, flow-ways, flooding and Estero Bay Preservation

Mining

Maintenance and use of public lands

Study the impact of each of these factors upon the quality of life in Estero

Increase public awareness of these issues through ECCL seminars, public events, public education, coalition building and publicity

Participate in Bonita Springs DRGR review process

Community infrastructure projects

Complete the Estero High School landscaping project by December 2007.

Complete the Roadway Landscaping on Estero Parkway, U.S. 41, via Coconut Point and Three Oaks Parkway.

Open a new Estero Post Office by the end of 2008 and incorporate service to all Estero plan communities seeking such service.

Obtain approval of a free-standing Emergency Department by 2008.

Assess, enhance and start Phase 2 of the Estero Community Park by late 2008.

Building relationships with Bonita Springs and San Carlos Park

Develop effective liaison relationships with both these communities.

Complete the three four-lane segments of Three Oaks Parkway by late 2007 (see item in Transportation section above).

Obtain funding for the design and begin the design of the Sandy Lane extension to Old 41 by 2007 (see item in Transportation section above).

Work jointly with the other communities and Lee Memorial to obtain a free-standing Emergency Department as soon as possible.

Participate in Bonita Springs DRGR review process (see item in Transportation section above).

Support San Carlos Park's park and recreation aspirations where possible.