Minutes: A Living Vision of Alva.  Meeting of the Board, December 13, 2001, Alva Museum

 

Present: Lynda Kendrick, Maria C. Pagan, Jean Colvin, Tom Colvin, Michael Dove, Martin Call, Anita Buff, Lynn Fensterer, Sarah Gillim, Rob Andrys, John Payne, Carol Cunningham - planner-consultant.

 

Minutes of previous meetings approved.

 

Treasurer’s Report: Lynn Festerer (complete report is attached to minutes.)  In summary:

Balance forward:     $4587.29

Deposits:                  11782.33

Disbursements:          9677.04

Balance 12/04/01       6326.01

Included in the above is $8000.00 “seed monies” received from Lee County.  From this amount $7054.02 has been disbursed including $5817.67 to Carol Cunningham, planner-consultant.   Report accepted.

Lynn Festerer requested that any outstanding invoices be submitted to her as soon as possible so that she can keep up to date on expenses for the group.

A recommendation was made that leaders should anticipate costs of special consultants prior to their being invited to participate so that approval could be determined by the board.  Chair Sarah Gillim pointed out that in some cases there is not enough time to secure approval prior to their participation.    

 

Most of the meeting time was devoted to discussion of a Revised Report DRAFT of the November 17, Workshop led by Carol Cunningham.  The complete revised DRAFT will appear on the Alva Inc. Website.  This continues to be revised and updated and is tentatively planned to be the basis of the proposed Vision for Alva to be submitted to Lee County Commissioners.  The following is a summary of the comments made and questions raised during the discussion.  These are recorded for information only; final recommendations are yet to be determined.  Carol Cunningham emphasized that we need to continue to capture all the ideas and then work through what is achievable.  She will give consideration to these questions and suggestions as work continues on the revision of the recommended, tentative plan. 

 

A. A question was raised about the designation of county road #78, North River Rd., as a “scenic route.”  Concerns were voiced about the plan for making #78 a bypass to keep through traffic away from central Alva, which could increase truck traffic on that road.   Suggestions included  making #78 part of the core of central Alva, and for reducing the speed limits on the road.  Carol Cunningham concluded that more study and discussion is needed on this topic.   

 

B.  Can the Alva school be designated a “community” school so that children who live in the area have priority to attend this school?  County Commissioners do not act on this concern, and any recommendations would be needed to worked out with the School Board.   It is crucial that our group work with and help the school district plan for more land and space as the community grows. 

C.  Concern was raised about a height limit for new construction.  Rob Andrys strongly recommended that a limit of 40 feet should be the limit.  This provides for architectural creativity without allowing for buildings too high for community ambience.  

 

D.  Concern: How should the “marina” area next to the post office be developed?  It was pointed out that this is not an actual marina, as space only permits it to be a “temporary” stop for boats, cars, etc.  Parking is limited.  If central parking can be developed, this could be made more feasible.

 

E. In the Riverfront section, it was recommended to change designation of “developing an ampitheater” to a more generic idea.  It was also emphasized that we strongly discourage/prohibit “strip” commercial development.

 

F.  Concern was expressed for the probable expansion of the Post Office.  Some suggested that the post office should be moved. .  Others observed that in its present location it is an helpful anchor for the central community and will be an encouragement for development in that area.

 

F. Question raised about the future of the Yoder operation along FL 80.  Need to keep in close contact with them as they plan for their future. 

 

G.  Rob Andrys noted that Ft. Myers is central to networking for internet connections (Sprint).  A major portion of the network runs along FL 80 and could offer many opportunities and challenges for Alva.

 

H.  Strong interest was expressed in support of the “pedestrian/bike” pathway system, and further details are to be worked out later.  Questions were raised about what vehicle limitations will be established..

 

I.  An emphasized observation by Carol Cunningham (from page 5 of the report) is that  as the Alva core develops it will enhance the value of outlying properties, and the reverse is true.  What happens in the larger area of influence beyond the central core will have great influence on what happens to the central core.  If the core of Alva is made attractive, this will in itself help solve issues around us and help engage the support of outlying properties.      

 

J.  Carol Cunningham emphasized that the County has responsibility to discourage urban sprawl.  Part of our responsibility is to make sure they know they are accountable.  There are concerns and fears about both increasing and decreasing land use densities in Alva.. As we work to establish the logical area of influence care must be taken not unduly to raise challenges.  Do we want to make it a policy that although there will be no attempt to restrict existing property rights, we do not recommend increasing land use densities beyond what is currently allowed in the Lee plan.?  This will need further discussion.  In this area it is important to reach a broad consensus and, while taking into account the concerns and plans of large property owners, to be assertive concerning the nature of the rural community many want to maintain.

 

K.  Telegraph creek area is crucial for the water storage for the community.

 

L.  A suggested principle for the planning process brought up by Kate English (at a previous meeting with concerned property owners) is that it will primarily focus on central Alva area with decreasing amount of concern as reach out to edge of the area. Some progress has been made as representatives from ALVA inc and some larger property owners have met together to begin to understand each other’s goals.   One suggestion is that as the plan develops that instead of simply defining a “logical boundary” for Alva, that a series of “concentric circles” from Alva center be created that may allow somewhat different approaches to land use.