Minutes of the ALVA Board of Directors, January 10, 2002,

Alva Museum

Present: Lynda Kendrick, Maria Pagan, David Lee, Sarah Gillim, Rob Andrys,

John Payne, Carol Cunningham - consultant/planner.

Meeting began with a review of "Final Summary" from materials furnished by

Carol Cunningham. The primary purpose is to prepare materials for the web

site and the Jan. 24 community meeting when the proposal will be presented

for review and evaluation by the Alva community.

The goal of the Jan. 24 community meeting is for those attending the earlier

workshop to return and others to see and evaluate the results of the ideas

and recommendations from that workshop. Documents and drawings will create

the picture of where the community has said it wants to go. Some of the

material will be placed on the web site (www.alvafl.org) prior to the meeting

so that people can come prepared. Everyone will be urged to attend and

participate in evaluating the current plans and help form the next steps in

the process.

Format: 7 - 7:30 pm: explain the narrative and drawings. Then take a brief

time to identify for everyone the issues that the board suggests need careful

attention. The next step is to divide the people present into small groups

of 10 or less. Members of board will be enlisted to be part of each small

group to help them be productive. The primary focus is not to solve

problems but to identify those which need more work. Once consensus is

achieved from community on Jan 24, then the process can focus on the few

items which need further attention.

Following this meeting we may want to have selected representatives of Alva

Inc. meet again with large land owners. A priority is to contact Paul

O"Conner as Director of Planning, and Jim Mudd and let them know the

content and scope of our plan. Find out what is feasible and possible from

his perspective, and where he sees possible problems. Following this, it is

planned to meet with one or two county commissioners and make sure they

understand the proposal. It is hoped that the result will be a "win-win"

situation for everyone. If possible we do not want to place county

commissioners in awkward situations. We need to hear from them concerning

any possible problems. It is essential that they understand the whole plan

and that no surprises emerge. Following this process, we will be ready to

request additional county funding.

Carol Cunningham distributed a revised calendar as the original time line was

set before we realized how carefully we need to work with the land owners. It

is important to wait (if they act in timely fashion) until county

commissioners "approve" the preliminary planning before taking next steps. It

is anticipated that we can still meet the late June deadline.

Rob Andrys stated that the January 24 meeting is a "big time meeting." Much

publicity is needed to get people out. Email will be sent to the membership

urging their attendance. Announcements will be placed in area newspapers.

Some concerns related to the plan: How to keep out car lots, big box

retail. This may require additions to the Land Development Code (this will

be included in a separate document that comes after the community plan). It

was thought that Lee county will pay for any changes in the code that are

recommended and accepted. Subsequent items in the code do not have to be

completed prior to completing the community development plan. It was

strongly recommended that the community plan go as far as possible with

specific recommendations and in stating guidelines. Strip shopping centers

are possible areas of concern. It was suggested that we may need an

architectural review committee to evaluate plans prior to new construction.

It is important to review plans prior to letting permits. Rural Village

concept can contain guidelines for appropriate construction.

Further discussion centered around plans for expansion of FL HY 80 (to begin

April, 2002) and the nature of CR 78. On 78 it was agreed that the speed

limit should be reduced and enforced. Large through trucks are prohibited on

78. However, David Lee noted that the Alva bridge has a 20 ton limit so at

times large trucks have no other option but to use 78 for part of their trip

through the area. Sarah Gillim suggested that a three way stop at corner of

Broadway and CR 78 could be helpful.

It was noted with gratitude that the new purchase of conservation land north

of Tuckahoe has been completed by the county. Buffer zone to development has

now been created south of HY 80.

The Babcock land that is up for sale for conservation is on the state's "A"

list. No definite plans have come out yet about their desire to develop

20,000 acres. It is important for our group to listen and be informed about

what is happening. We should seek to develop alternative suggestions to

dense development and be proactive about such possibilities as conservation

communities. A possible suggestion is that Babcock could be urged to buy

density rights from other large land owners. Rob Andrys pointed out that

FGCU students want to use Alva as a study project for promoting a sustainable

community. He stated that the area of the students' study is between the

County Regional Park and Alva center.

Some key issues for discussion at the Jan. 24 meeting:

River Walk. What can be implemented by private development? What requires

public funding? What are the possibilities that Alva, Inc can convince the

county to help fund projects (such as the River Walk)? Would a special taxing

district, or short lived increase tax special fund for River Walk be

possibilities? Would taxing spur development? We need to be aware that a

number of Alva residents want no development of any kind. However, HY 80

widening and expansion is a done deal. Without smart growth in place and

some funding, the inevitable development will occur willy-nilly. The result

will be disastrous for the concept of a rural village. With careful planning

with the developers it is possible that they may provide substantial part of

cost of the river walk Boat launch area park could be expanded. We need to

work carefully with land owners where the River Walk is planned. Question:

is High Street still viable? Workable concept for the river walk should be

explored by a special group and we should enlist general feed back on the

rural village concept.

Expanded FL HY 80. How will HY 80 four lane project impact the area. An ad

hoc committee has been working diligently on this issue and will provide us

with an update soon.

Retail Services: Where do we want them? What kind of services do we want,

and should retailing be developed further on both the north and south sides

of the river?

Public safety: where do we want stop signs, sidewalks, bike paths, etc.?

River How do we enhance this important resource to our community?

Rural Village: How do we keep the area appropriate for rural use?

What about density? What is appropriate for our area?

Carol Cunningham will come up with a series of questions/topics that can be

used for discussion guides for groups at the January 24 meeting. Each

discussion group will probably want to address various topics rather than be

assigned only one.

Lynda Kendrick and Maria Pagan emphasized that we need to provide some

actions which have immediate impact. She mentioned the concern for better

and quicker emergency response in the area. Sarah Gillim agreed but reminded

the group that our primary concern at present is the Alva plan .

Carol Cunningham concluded her presentation and the regular meeting was

called.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Emergency expenditures were discussed.. Sarah Gillim plans to consult with

one officer or member of the board when such needs come up that cannot wait

for a full meeting of the board. It should be used with prudence and perhaps

a dollar cap should be established. The discussion will be carried over

until the next meeting..

Treasurer report: Treasurer was not present; no report.

Sarah Gillim urged everyone as part of the New Year to be positive and

optimistic about our work and the future of Alva..

Committee reports will be kept up to date.

At the Jan. 24th meeting, first we will announce the new honorary "mayor.".

All major announcements should be made at the start.

Other information: Float for parade swamp cabbage festival, Feb. 23rd is

being constructed.

Newest conservation 20-20 purchase will be announced.

Roxanne will give quick update on HY 80.

Petition on quick emergency response will be available to sign.

Lynda and Maria reported that the six men adopted from group home, on 78 were

given clothing, shoes, Xmas socks. These gentlemen are from age 23 - 63, but

have mental ages between 6 - 9. Help is needed to restore part of the group

home house. Considerable food was also contributed. Kash and Karry store

was very generous.

A special antique fair is the next planned event by the Fund Raising Team and

will be at the Alva Community Park, but the county needs to provide a sign

identifying the park. Advertising will be placed in newspapers.

The board was pleased to learn that more interest in the future of Alva is

coming from the people of Charleston Park. It is anticipated that an

increasing number will participate and come to the community meetings. .

Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Submitted by John Payne, secretary