Your chance to comment on Lee Plan Update
The Local Planning Agency will review proposed changes to the Lee Plan Future Land Use element and map at its meeting Monday, April 22, 8:30 a.m. in Commission Chambers, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers.
In addition, presentations summarizing the full Lee Plan update will be held in communities throughout Lee County. The current schedule and details of the Lee Plan update process can be viewed at www.leegov.com/dcd/ear2011.
Those who can’t attend a meeting may comment online in our virtual town hall forum, www.leecountytownhall.com.
This is the most comprehensive update of the Lee Plan since it was adopted in 1984.
Changes include:
· Identifying areas for infill redevelopment and higher density to create vibrant urban centers,
· Reclassifying existing neighborhoods to more appropriate land use categories to protect them from incompatible uses,
· Enhancing protection of the County’s rural communities.
“We continue to ask for public input as we modernize and update our vision for growth in Lee County through the year 2035,” said Paul O’Connor, Director, Lee County Planning Division. “Please let us know if you’d like to schedule a presentation for your community or group.
“Remember, this is YOUR plan for growth for the community where you live, work and play. This is the time to speak up!”
2012-2013 Land Development Code changes
The regular two-year cycle of amendments to Lee County’s Land Development Code has completed committee and Local Planning Agency review and will likely be scheduled for public hearings before Lee’s Board of County Commissioners in May. Hearings are tentatively set for May 14 at 5 p.m. and May 28 at 9:30 a.m.
The proposed ordinance contains a combination of regular amendments as well as amendments that streamline processes and requirements. In addition, changes to the flood hazard ordinance will eliminate overlap with the newest modifications of the Florida Building Code.
The proposed regulations were reviewed by the Land Development Code Advisory Committee, the Executive Regulatory Oversight Committee, and the Local Planning Agency on multiple occasions.
For the draft changes, go to www.leegov.com/dcd/LDCAmendments.
Informal review of Complete Streets
Draft amendments to the Land Development Code relating to street design and implementation of the Complete Streets Resolution 9-11-13 are now available for informal public review in advance of submitting the language to advisory committees for more formal review.
This effort by Lee County Transportation, Community Development, Utilities and Lee Tran would affect LDC Chapter 10.
Read the draft amendments online.
Send comments to Andy Getch, Lee DOT, agetch@leegov.com or Rob Price, Community Development, rprice@leegov.com.
ePlan enhancements require brief downtime
Community Development’s online ePlan services will not be available from 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 through midnight Monday, April 22 while we update the program.
The ePlan system allows contractors who are registered for the program to electronically submit applications, plans and resubmissions; to pay fees; and to receive permits.
Any building permit application may now be submitted through ePlan. It has been used successfully for single-family residences, pools, dock and shoreline permits, and many commercial projects.
The reduced travel time and paper use in ePlan enables the applicant and Community Development to Go Green!
Go to www.leegov.com/eplan for details about registering for and using ePlan. For information on all permitting options, go to www.leegov.com/dcd/BuildingServices.
Electronic building access requires inspections
Effective immediately, any low-voltage permit that affects building access control or electronic entry to any premise will be required to have an inspection from your local fire district prior to being finaled.
Please contact your local fire district with questions about the inspection process or requirements. Permit-related questions may be directed to Shawn McNulty, smcnulty@leegov.com, (239) 533-8597 ext. 48823.
File formats now listed for online searches
Community Development has updated its Web site to display the file type for Development Services and Zoning case files available to the public through online searches.
Users of the search pages will now see a column displaying the file format as PDF or TIF.
Users unable to access TIF files may contact Billie Jacoby, bjacoby@leegov.com, (239) 533-8948.
Explore the case search pages at www.leegov.com/dcd/zoningsearch or www.leegov.com/dcd/devreviewsearch.
What's happening in Lee's virtual town hall?
New campaigns and topics have been added to Lee County Town Hall, the online, virtual meeting place that solicits feedback on proposed changes and issues in Lee County government.
Community Development continues to use the site to receive comments about the update to the Lee Plan. The Vision and Land Use elements are now under review, but comments submitted in the town hall forum for other elements are available in the archive.
Other county campaigns include:
· HUD Consolidated Plan – Human Services Department
· Low-Impact Development – Natural Resources Department
· Estero Boulevard Improvements – Transportation Department
· CompleteLee Sustainability Plan – Sustainability Office
· Protecting Conservation Lands – County Lands Department
Do you have something to say about these issues? Visit the virtual town hall at www.leecountytownhall.com.
March 2013 permit report
During March, contractors pulled 79 permits to build single-family houses collectively valued at nearly $14.7 million in unincorporated Lee County. That compares to 70 permits issued in February and 34 issued in March 2012, according to the Lee County Department of Community Development.
March’s total was the highest number of single-family permits issued since July 2007 when 122 were issued.
During March, eight multi-family units were permitted, compared to 28 in February. No permits for multi-family units were issued in March 2012.
General commercial activity was valued at nearly $2.2 million for 12 permits, compared to about $980,000 in February and $3 million in March 2012.
During March, Lee County Community Development issued 3,337 permits of all kinds.
For additional permit reports, go to www.leegov.com/dcd/Reports.
Length of Service awards
Please join us in congratulating employees who will receive Length of Service awards from Commissioners on April 23.
30 years: Sharon Reynolds, Plan Review;
25 years: Mary Nye, Contractor Licensing; Alan Mead, Environmental Sciences;
20 years: Marie Thevenin-Fray, Fiscal Services;
15 years: Kara Stewart, Permitting Manager; George Barber, Building Inspections;
10 years: Jeannie Mars, Administration; Ron Martin and Randy Southard, Building Inspections.
Upcoming meetings and public hearings
Land Development Code Advisory Committee – Friday, April 12, 8 a.m., Lee County Community Development/Public Works Center, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers
Local Planning Agency – Monday, April 22, 8:30 a.m., Commission Chambers, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers
Lee Plan Update Presentations
Boca Grande Lee Plan Update Presentation – Wednesday, April 10, 10 a.m., Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First Street West, Boca Grande.
Lehigh Acres Lee Plan Update Presentation – Wednesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m., Lehigh Acres Sheriff’s Office, 1301 Homestead Road North, Lehigh Acres.
Whiskey Creek Lee Plan Update Presentation – Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m., Whiskey Creek Country Club, 1449 Whiskey Creek Dr., Fort Myers.
Estero Lee Plan Update Presentation – Monday, April 15, 5 p.m., Estero Community Park Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero.
Bayshore Lee Plan Update Presentation – Monday, April 15, 6:30 p.m. New Hope Christian Church, 17181 Tarpon Way, North Fort Myers.
Caloosahatchee Shores Lee Plan Update Presentation – Tuesday, April 16, 6:30 p.m., Olga Community Center, 2325 South Olga Drive.
Community Sustainability Advisory Committee – Lee Plan Update Presentation – Wednesday, April 17, 6 p.m., Lee County Administration Building, 2115 Second St., Fort Myers.
North Olga Lee Plan Update Presentation – Thursday, April 18, 6 p.m., Bayshore Fire Department, 17350 Nalle Road, North Fort Myers.
Tice Lee Plan Update Presentation – Tuesday, April 23, 6 p.m., Tice Fire Department, 4871 Lexington Ave., Fort Myers.
College Parkway Lee Plan Update Presentation – Tuesday, April 23, 6 p.m., Rutenberg Park, 6500 South Pointe Blvd., Fort Myers.
Captiva Lee Plan Update Presentation – Tuesday, May 7, 9 a.m., South Seas Island Resort, 5400 Plantation Road, Captiva.
North Fort Myers Lee Plan Update Presentation – Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m. Community of Christ Church, 368 Herron Road, North Fort Myers.
Alva Lee Plan Update Presentation – Monday, May 13, 7 p.m., Alva Community Center, 21471 North River Road, Alva.
For the detailed calendar, go to www.leegov.com/dcd/calendar.
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