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Oakes Estates Advisory
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
December 7, 2004
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Directors Present
Karl Fry
Denny Baker
Rob Corbett
Jim Rice
Lisa Absher |
Ray Russell
Mark Smith
Kyle Burke
Diane Corbett |
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Call to Order/Quorum/
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 by President Karl Fry. A quorum of Board members was present. The minutes from the November meeting were approved and posted on the website.
Treasurers Report
Treasurer Denny Baker reported that the advisory has $4231.00 in the bank with no outstanding checks.
Old Business
Neighborhood Park:
Jim Rice was waiting for any further updates on the park. 100+ completed surveys were delivered to the interim director of Parks & Recreation, Murdo Smith.
Child Safety:
It was discussed that we were still very interested in the safety of our children while waiting for the school buses to load and unload every day. The issue of the Super Target has been taking up a lot of meeting time the last couple of months but we reaffirmed that the child safety issue will again become a priority with the Board next year.
Meeting signs
Lisa Absher was going to look into the cost of purchasing metal-framed "real estate" signs that could be positioned at key points in our community to make the residents more aware of the issues and the importance of attending our meetings.
Target and Kite Development - Super Target Shopping Center
Cliff Meehan, President of Tarpon Bay HOA, and several other representatives from neighboring communities were present to review the OEA draft position statement. Tarpon Bay wanted to add the following stipulations: to prohibit shopping center signage on Oakes Blvd and Spanish Oaks Lane; Target to relocate the current Tarpon Bay sign on Immokalee to another location, hopefully Immokalee, but if no room there, then to Spanish Oaks Lane. Our residents wanted to add very clear "No Outlet" signage on Spanish Oaks Lane to keep people from crossing Oakes and driving down Spanish Oaks mistakenly. It was agreed that we would revise our draft position statement, prioritizing items with the top item being 6-laning of Immokalee all the way to 951 prior to opening the shopping center.
OEA By-Laws - Director Terms
A Motion was made by Mark Smith to adjust the bylaws of the Oakes Estates Advisory (OEA) Board to include the revision that we only have one year terms for the Board and Director positions, with the President staying on as a director and advisor to the incoming Board for an additional year. This motion was seconded by Jim Rice. Voted on and Passed.
Year-End Activities
This suggestion to host a picnic at the Vineyards to build rapport with our neighbors and inform residents about OEA activities was put on hold until next year. Board members and residents in attendance were too busy to commit the needed time for planning and coordination of such an event. Instead, it was agreed to send out an annual letter. Mark Smith volunteered to draft a letter to all Oakes property owners.
A motion was made by Rob Corbett to adjourn this meeting.
This motion was seconded by Mark Smith.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 by President Karl Fry.
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Oakes Estates Advisory
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
November 2, 2004
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Directors Present
Karl Fry
Mark Smith
Jim Rice |
Chuck Cannaday
Rob Corbett
Diane Corbett |
Call to Order/Quorum
Meeting was called to order at 7:10 by President Karl Fry. A quorum of Board members was present. The minutes from the October meeting were approved and posted on the website.
Old Business
Neighborhood Park:
Jim Rice informed us that the park was now in the hands of the Parks and Recreation Committee and that $100,000.00 had been budgeted for this park. It will be approximately 2 years before the park will be finished. We already have a committee ready to negotiate and discuss with the Parks Department what type of park would be in our neighborhood's best interests.
Child Safety:
It was discussed that we were still very interested in this safety of our children while waiting for the school buses to load and unload every day. The issue of the Super Target has been taking up a lot of meeting time the last couple of months but we reaffirmed that the child safety issue will again become a priority with the Board. Tom Henning, our newly re-elected Commissioner is familiar with this issue as his neighborhood has been addressing this same problem in their community so this is an active topic.
Target and Kite Development:
A Motion was made by Mark Smith to adopt the following SuperTarget Position Statement an official position of the Oakes Advisory Board, (open to other neighboring communities input) before we will offer our support for the development of this SuperCenter.
This motion was seconded by Jim Rice.
Voted on and Passed
New Business
Board Terms:
Karl Fry proposed that terms be reduced to 1-year for all board positions. This would reduce obstacles to residents stepping forward, and should not impact continuity as anyone doing a good job would likely have little competition for a 2nd term. It was suggested that the exception be that president agree to remain on the board for a 2nd year to help out his successor. It was agreed that Chuck Cannaday would review the Board bylaws to find out the rules governing nominations etc.. There are vacancies coming available on the Board in February 2005.
Meeting Signs:
Karl Fry remarked that we need to start taking basic steps to notify our residents and attract them to our meetings-signs put up prior to every monthly board meeting.
A Motion was made by Mark Smith to approve funds up to $500.00 for the purchase of eight signs that would announce our monthly board meetings as well as special meetings required in addition.
This motion was seconded by Rob Corbett.
Voted on and Passed.
Neighborhood Party in January:
The board discussed having an open neighborhood party toward the end of January. The purpose would be for residents to meet and greet one another and to increase awareness of neighborhood issues and the opportunities to serve on the board. It was agreed that formal planning would begin at December's meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20PM by President Karl Fry.
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Oakes Estates Advisory, Inc.
SuperTarget Position Statement
The Oakes Estates Advisory has adopted this draft official position statement. We offer support for the SuperTarget shopping center if the following stipulations are met.*
1. Retain light at Immokalee and Oakes
2. Add a right-in from Immokalee into the Target shopping center (if permitted by the Florida Department of Transportation)
3. Complete Immokalee 6-laning from I-75 to 951 before allowing the shopping center to open
4. Re-Classification of Oakes Blvd as a residential road with 35 MPH speed limit (due to significant drop in traffic counts after Livingston and Logan go through)
5. Target or the county to fund traffic calming in the form of adding one roundabout on Tarpon Bay (possibly at entrance to Malibu Lakes) and two on Oakes Blvd (one at Spanish Oaks (old 20th Ave NW) and another at either Shady Oaks or Standing Oaks Lane (old 14th or 16th Ave NW)
6. Special traffic calming in the neighborhood of the park (flashing light?)
7. No widening or expansion of Tarpon Bay Blvd past the rear of the shopping center (leave as two lanes)
8. Esthetic design input from Carol Wilsey
9. Written and officially recorded restrictions on hours of operation, truck routes (prohibit Oakes Blvd), and nature of business tenants (Target and Kite already have an Operating and Easement Agreement (OEA) which provides many restrictions. We are reviewing it for any gaping holes)
10. Upgraded sizes of landscaping (eg. 15' trees instead of 8' trees, etc.)
*This position statement is a draft only, and is subject to change based on input from neighboring communities.
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Oakes Estates Advisory
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
October 5th, 2004
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Directors
In Attendance
Karl Fry
Bob Walker
Denny Baker
Mark Smith |
Ray Russell
Jim Rice
Diane Corbett
Rob Corbett |
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Call to Order / Quorum
Meeting was called to order at 7:10 by President Karl Fry. A quorum of Board members was present.
Old Business
Letter from Commissioner Henning
Earlier this summer, we sent a letter thanking Commissioner Tom Henning for helping us overcome skepticism amongst our residents that the county could be our partner. This letter is posted on our website. At the October meeting, Karl Fry presented to the group a letter from Commissioner Henning acknowledging our letter, praising our organization and professionalism, and offering his pledge of continued assistance in the future (assuming he's re-elected).
Target-Kite Development Re-zoning (Super Target Shopping Center)
A meeting has been scheduled for Thursday October 7 at the Tarpon Bay Clubhouse with Target and Kite Development to view computerized traffic simulations that will let us see graphic animations of traffic flowing into, out of, and through the neighborhood surrounding the proposed Super Target shopping center at Immokalee and Tarpon Bay Blvd.
and to discuss the surrounding communities concerns about the new Development on Immokalee Road and Tarpon Bay Blvd. Bob Walker, Rob Corbett and Peter Goodin volunteered to attend. The meeting was subsequently cancelled for that evening and we are awaiting re-scheduling.
The board discussed a list of negotiating points to protect our interests and limit traffic through our neighborhood. Bob Walker and Peter Goodin volunteered to meet with county transportation officials and Commissioner Henning to determine which options appear most feasible and compelling to the county. They will report back next month.
Traffic Consultant
It was stipulated by the county that daily trips on Oakes Blvd should drop from 11,000/day to only 3,500/day after Livingston and Logan are completed from Vanderbilt Beach to Immokalee Road. Target and Kite estimated 1,200 trips/day on Oakes, which would bring the total up to 4,700/day after the shopping center was built. However, these traffic estimates have not yet been accepted by the county, and we have no way of knowing whether they are accurate. The Board discussed a suggestion by Dick Ennis, one of our residents, that we hire a traffic consultant to study the effect of the Target Development on our communities. It was decided not to spend the money at this moment, but to reconsider this strategy after our discussions with the county and after viewing traffic simulations provided by Target and Kite. At that time, we may decide to hire a consultant, and to seek funding support from other neighboring communities.
Traffic Light at Immokalee and Oakes
At the September meeting, a very decisive straw vote was taken among Oakes residents who overwhelmingly opposed removal of the light at Immokalee and Oakes Blvd. The Board decided to officially adopt this mandate and communicate our significant opposition to county officials. Concern over removal of the light was exacerbated by fears of traffic backing up at the Tarpon Bay light due to the new shopping center.
Old Business
County Referendum to Purchase Caribbean Gardens & Surrounding Lands
All Collier County voters will vote on November 2nd whether to purchase the 50 acres of Jungle Larry's (Caribbean Gardens) and the adjoining 100 acres for preservation and continued operation of the zoo. This property is currently leased to the Tetzlaff family (Oakes Estates residents and members) who would subsequently lease from the county as a "not-for-profit" organization. The zoo has been financially sustaining for several decades so once the land is purchased, it is not expected that the county would have to spend extra money operating the zoo. If the referendum fails, the zoo will most likely cease to exist. A discussion was held concerning the "Parkpac" organization (www.parkpac.com) that supports purchase of these lands. Voting "yes" would save the zoo and would increase property taxes by $37.50/$200,000 assessed value for 10 years, but in return these 150 acres would not be sold to private developers for building condos, apartments, or other commercial projects. And one of the top 10 private zoos in the USA would remain in Naples.
A Motion was made by Jim Rice and seconded by Ray Russell for the Board to officially endorse the referendum for the county to purchase this property. Discussions revolved not around support for the referendum, but primarily around whether the Oakes Estates Advisory should be issuing political endorsements for any political issue or candidate.
A Vote was taken, with 4 members voting against this motion, 3 voting for this motion and 1 member abstaining. It was decided to send an email to our email list announcing the initiative and providing information for each resident to make a personal decision.
Motion Failed
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 by President Karl Fry.
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Oakes Estates Advisory
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
September 7th, 2004
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Directors
In Attendance
Karl Fry
Bob Walker
Denny Baker
Mark Smith
Rob Corbett |
Kyle Burke
Jim Rice
Diane Corbett
Lisa Absher |
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Special Guests
- Tom Henning , Collier County Commissioner, District 3
- Russell Budd, Collier County Planning Commissioner, Oakes Estates Resident
- Donald Scott, Transportation Planning Director
- Eric Strickland, Pre-development Manager, Kite Development, Inc.
- John Danen, Real Estate Manager, Target Corporation
- Representatives of Target and Kite's traffic, architecture, and design teams
Call to Order/Quorum
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 by President Karl Fry. A quorum of Board members was present.
Attendees
A large group of approximately 100 Oakes Estates residents as well as representatives from the boards of nearby communities such as Olde Cypress, Longshore Lake, Quail Creek, Tarpon Bay, and Malibu Lakes were in attendance. 3 special guests represented the county and the developers had flown in a majority of their 7 representatives for this meeting.
The meeting had two main purposes. First, to inform residents and county officials by having Target and Kite, the developers, provide details of their development plans for the shopping center to be located on the 37 acres at the corner of Immokalee Rd and I-75, extending to Tarpon Bay Blvd on the east.
Developers' Vision
We were informed that a total of 330,000 square feet of commercial enterprises were planned. A Super Target would be built on the I-75 side, facing north to Immokalee Road, with attached sites available for at least three other potential tenants on Target's east side. A strip center containing 5-6 small shops would back up to Tarpon Bay Blvd and face westward onto the main parking lot in front of Target. 3-4 additional out-parcel buildings would be available along Immokalee Road, in line to the west alongside Amsouth Bank. We were shown architectural drawings of the potential shopping district and a discussion was held on the design and ambiance of the whole area. Tarpon Bay Blvd would be four-laned along the section adjacent to the shopping center.
Residents' Concerns
Residents had two main concerns, traffic and access. The only access to this shopping area will be two customer entrances off of Tarpon Bay Blvd and a 3rd commercial (truck) entrance further to the south, also off of Tarpon Bay Blvd. All traffic into and out of the shopping center would be fed by the light at Immokalee and Tarpon Bay Blvd, and from the rear via Oakes Blvd and Spanish Oaks that feed Tarpon Bay Blvd on the south end. Since Oakes and Tarpon Bay Blvd only two lane roads there was much concern for the amount of traffic that would be in our communities but also the safety of our residents while traveling on these roads. Residents were also concerned about our children waiting for the school buses, as well as increased traffic hindering safe access to our upcoming park at Oakes and Spanish Oaks Lane.
Traffic Counts
We did get some good news, if it's accurate… The county estimated that daily trips on Oakes Blvd would drop from 11,000 to only 3,500 once Logan and Livingston are completed from Vanderbilt Beach to Immokalee Roads. The developer's traffic showed that the number of vehicles going to and coming out of the shopping center per hour, during the peak hours of 4 to 6 p.m. was 900, including 120 trips each peak hour on Oakes Blvd. Over the course of a normal day our roads would have approximately 9000 extra vehicles riding on them. Oakes Blvd would have about 1200 extra trips per day. However, if you believe the traffic counts, Oakes would have 3,500 trips + 1,200 extra trips from the shopping center = 4,700 total daily trips. That's less than half of our current tally, even with the shopping center. Again, the important question is the accuracy of these traffic counts. It has been recommended by one of our residents that we retain our own traffic engineer to determine our own counts.
Timing
The developers are allowed to request county approval for additional traffic because our section of Immokalee is due to be widened starting within two years. However, there is a very real potential that the shopping center could be open 1-2 years prior to completion of the road project, further worsening traffic impacts and existing gridlock in our area. We have expressed this timing concern to our county officials.
County officials postulated that it will take approximately two years for this development to get through the approval, permitting, and construction phases before opening to the public. This seemed to be a shock to the developers who believed they would be open late next year.
Potential Areas for Compromise
It was discussed that the residents would like some input on what type of businesses would be allowed to reside in this area as well as the hours of operation. They agreed that there would be no gas stations or "fast food" restaurants and that the Super Target would not be open 24 hours a day as some are. Truck access routes and hours of loading/unloading of goods is also a concern, with the developers noting that only the Immokalee - Tarpon Bay entrance would be used for routing trucks and that all deliveries stop at 10PM.
Potential Removal of Light at Immokalee and Oakes
This is under consideration to reduce gridlock on Immokalee Road. Residents were asked and overwhelmingly were opposed to removal of the light. This would force westbound traffic to utilize Spanish Oaks to access the light at Tarpon Bay Blvd and Immokalee Road. Additional traffic generated on Tarpon Bay by this new shopping center seemed to be a key factor in why Oakes residents want to avoid this scenario.
Next Steps
This meeting was a productive and informative gathering, and it is expected that additional sessions might take place in the future between the developers and the surrounding communities.
Traffic Simulations
The developers volunteered to return to show us some computer-generated traffic simulations that graphically depict cars flowing into and out of the shopping center area. This software allows different traffic counts to be tested, as well as traffic light timings, locations of entrances and exits, etc.
President Karl Fry adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
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Oakes Estates Advisory
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
July 6th, 2004
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Directors
In Attendance
Karl Fry
Ray Russell
Mark Smith |
Denny
Baker
Jim Rice
Kyle Burke |
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Call to Order / Quorum / Past Minutes
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 by President Karl Fry. A quorum of Board members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting of June 2004 have been posted on the web site and were approved.
Report of the Treasurer
Treasurer Denny Baker reported that our association has $4,509.00 in the bank. The check to Mimi Wollok was never received so payment was stopped and a new check issued.
Old Business
Special Guest - Carol Bensyl, American Red Cross
Carol described two programs:
1. Neighborhood spotters - Peter Goodin and Karl Fry agreed to call in reports of our neighborhood's condition in the event of a disaster. This program is open to additional people if interested.
2. RWTC - Ready When the Time Comes - This program is a volunteer program where volunteers from neighborhood would attend a 2-hour training, then would assist in disaster relief activities when needed.
Mark Smith moved we announce the programs to the neighborhood as being supported by the Oakes board. Jim Rice seconded. The board voted and passed the motion. An email blast will be sent to the 200+ people on the list, and the FAQs of the RWTC program are to be posted to our website.
Neighborhood Park
The board discussed the necessity to follow up with Marla Ramsey as to next steps after approval of our land grant at the June Golden Gate Land Trust meeting. We also need to ask whether we will need to continue our survey process to submit a greater volume of responses. Currently, we have received over 125 surveys, with over 90% in favor of the neighborhood park at the corner of Oakes Blvd and Spanish Oaks Lane.
Children's Safety
The board noted the need to contact Commissioner Henning to find out how to lobby the School Board for financial support in constructing off-road waiting areas for our kids.
Stormwater Drainage
Mark Smith reported on an update from Jerry Kurtz from Stormwater Management, who once again had a conflict and was unable to attend our meeting. Jerry reported via email that a pilot project is taking place in Livingston Woods and that Oakes Estates and Logan Woods must wait in line. No immediate plans for a survey of our neighborhood and subsequent repairs on swales and culverts impeding the flow of stormwater.
Target PUD Re-Zoning
Kyle Burke reported that Target PUDs' traffic counts had twice been rejected by Don Scott in county Transportation. The issue is apparently not coming before the planning commission until this fall. Another multi-neighborhood meeting was scheduled at Olde Cypress in July to continue building a shared vision for the commercial property in the elbow of I-75 and Immokalee Road. Some board members felt that the current process might be unrealistic if not accomplished as part of a dialog with the developers/owners of the PUDs. They already have rights to build a standard-sized Target, so is it realistic to think that they can be talked into building something completely different? Peter Goodin was to attend the next multi-neighborhood meeting and provide an update.
New Business
Traffic Calming on Oakes after Completion of Livingston
The board agreed that it might become timely to make proposals to the county that would coincide with the completion of Livingston Road later this year. In September, it was agreed that we would discuss stop signs or other means of slowing traffic on Oakes Blvd and removing incentives for speeders and through traffic. The idea of reducing the speed limit surfaced once again, and we were reminded that this could not happen until Oakes Blvd is reclassified from a collector road to a neighborhood road
Neighborhood Party
We discussed having a party early next year for the entire neighborhood to build camaraderie, and also to promote membership and participation on the Oakes board. One suggestion was a pot luck at the Vineyards park, either in January before board elections, or in February in conjunction with board elections.
A Motion was made by Jim Rice to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ray Russell.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. by President Karl Fry.
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