Oakes Estates Advisory
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Emergency Meeting
June 17, 2003
 
 

In Attendance

Board Members in Attendance

Call to Order/Quorum

Meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. by President Karl Fry. A quorum of Board members was present.

CURRENT BUSINESS

Rezoning for Faith Community Church: This special meeting was called so the Board could look over the compromise proposal that the Church had given us and to decide whether we wished to go ahead with our initial ‘no’ vote on any rezoning for Faith Community Church, or whether we discuss a compromise that we would feel comfortable presenting to the Planning Commission Meeting.

A discussion ensued with a decision to take another vote on this issue.  Motion was made by Mark Smith for the Board to decide on what view we as a community wished to present to the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for June 24, 2003.

A Vote was taken with 11 members opposed to any rezoning for the Faith Community Church's daycare.

An action plan strategy was then discussed on how we could get the most response from our neighborhood and to let the planning commission know how strongly we as a community felt on this issue. It was decided that we would have flyers made up and delivered to the neighborhood residences informing them of the date of the meeting and the Boards decision to fight the rezoning issue.

A Motion was made that we would allow funds to be made available for new date signs to be made for our banners announcing this meeting. Voted on and Passed

A proposal was made that a small committee be formed to decide how the Board would present this case to the Planning Commission at the June 24th meeting. A Motion was made by Jim Rice that this Committee of 4 members get together and decide how they wish to present this case and that the funds be available to them to do what they felt was necessary in presenting this case.  Motion Seconded by Bob Walker. Voted on and Passed.

It was decided that there would be 4 people speaking at the meeting with the emphasis on traffic, property values, other churches and daycares in the area and the dangerous precedent that could happen for the future if we were to compromise on this rezoning issue.

A motion was made by Bob Walker to adjourn this meeting.
Motion Seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 by President Karl Fry.

Oakes Estates: Special neighborhood meeting results
June 3, 2003

Special Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 6th 7:00PM - 8:45PM
North Naples Baptist Church
(Regular meeting minutes below)

• Tom Henning - Collier County Commissioner 
• Norman Feder - Collier County Transportation Administrator 
• Gregg Strakaluse - Transportation Engineering Director 
• Kevin Ratterree - Vice President, G.L. Homes -- The developer of Saturnia Lakes who is funding the Logan Extension through impact fees

In Attendance
Approximately 125 Oakes Estates property owners showed up for this meeting.

Agenda

1. Street Renaming Status? 

Committee Chairman Peter Goodin reported that the county has formally acknowledged all eight applications and accepted the new names, but a new name is needed for 24th Avenue NW. A new name has been identified and a petition will be circulated to the same people who signed previously in the near future for signatures. We may be able to buy street signs privately to save money and get more unique signs. We've got $200 left over after paying all street renaming fees ($3,200 already paid), but street signs still need to be purchased.

2. Acquisition of property to widen the south end of Oakes Blvd for additional turn / merge lanes onto Vanderbilt Beach Road

• Status and rationale - Is any widening needed with Logan extension and Livingston both being developed between Vanderbilt Beach and Immokalee? 

Due to questions raised by our commissioner and the efforts by our board to eliminate the taking of any land, the county has drastically reduced the amount of Oakes property it needs, since the original design. They will now take 25 feet from the west side only, for a distance of 200 feet north of the Vanderbilt Beach Road intersection. Unfortunately, this will still cause the loss of the Harrison's beautiful 18-year-old oak trees. Mr. Feder will see if the trees can be saved, but made no guarantee. This would require taking a little land from the east side of Oakes, which costs time and money in altering the overall design.

• Is this a step toward four-laning of Oakes? 

No. This project is only in support of the six-laning of Vanderbilt Beach Rd.

3. Vanderbilt Beach Road

• Status of Six-Laning Project?

The project is moving forward but they are still trying to get various approvals and still need to acquire some land. The road's path will probably be more to the south than the current two-lane road.

• Projected timeframe for completion? 

They thought a shovel would hit the ground in the spring of 2004, with an estimated completion 36-42 months later.

• Noise Study and Noise Buffer Options? 

We had thought there might be a new noise study done, due to concerns over the age of the study and questions raised by Rich Lidgard of 10th Avenue during his research of noise criteria. The county has reviewed the study and believes the two-year-old noise study to be valid, and that study said the Oakes area did not qualify for county-funded noise buffers. Mr. Feder thought we were close, and said that we can challenge the noise study at the 90% meeting.

• 90% Design Meeting - when and where? 

Sometime this summer, possibly at the North Naples Baptist Church. Portable street signs will be visible around the neighborhood prior to the meeting.

4. Logan Blvd Extension

• Status and projected path of road? 

This is a privately-funded road project. Hole Montes has submitted a design. GL Homes is giving the county a $2MM interest-free loan to get started, in return for future impact fee credits. The total cost will be about $5.9MM. They anticipate having remaining right-of-way properties purchased, and the design pretty far along by December 2003. The road's path is fully known and in fact a paved access road already exists along this path from Vanderbilt Beach Rd up to 22nd Avenue NW, where it will need to flow through private property.

• Projected timeframe for completion? 

1) To Immokalee Rd? Estimated completion at the end of 2004. 
2) To Bonita Beach Road? Unknown. Another privately-funded project.

• Number of lanes? 

Two lanes initially, but in the long-term plan as four lanes

• Will our avenues be connected? 

None of our avenues will be connected! (This drew a round of applause)

• Noise study and noise buffer options? 

There will be a noise study conducted. It is unlikely that the criteria for a county-funded wall or buffer will be met, due to the lack of density of our homes. Commissioner Henning said the BCC has approved additional tree lines and vegetation on new roads to preserve Naples ambience, so we can probably expect that. We will have to wait and see what the noise study says. Alternatives for a buffer would be to self-fund the initiative through an MSTU, Municipal Services Taxing Unit, where a temporary tax could be collected from our neighborhood in order to fund a berm or wall. Commissioner Henning suggested we deepen our swales along the lanes to allow better drainage from the east toward the west, and use the extra dirt on a berm.

• 30% meeting - when and where? 

Unscheduled at this time but portable road signs will be put up prior to the meeting.

5. Future Load on Oakes Blvd

• When will Livingston be completed from Vanderbilt Beach to Immokalee? 

End of 2004. Pine Ridge to Vanderbilt will be the first new section completed.

• Will Logan and Livingston take the main north/south load off of Oakes? 

It is very likely that they will help significantly, as Livingston will be 3-lanes each way. New traffic flow models will be done in the near future and this will predict the amount by which Oakes traffic might be reduced.

• Will there be a need to four-lane Oakes once Logan and Livingston go through? 

That is impossible to say until future traffic loads are analyzed, taking the two new roads into account. Traffic should be reduced on Oakes and it was suggested that the Oakes neighborhood get people involved in the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) process. There is a Citizen's Advisory group as well as others where volunteers can serve.

6. Removal of Light at Immokalee and Oakes Blvd

• With the new light at Tarpon Bay Blvd, is it feasible to remove the Oakes-Immokalee traffic light? 

That is uncertain at this point. It was pointed out by the audience that a Super Target store is going in behind the new Amsouth Bank, and that there is significantly more commercial property to the west, between the new Target and I-75. This commercial development is the reason a light was approved for Tarpon Bay Blvd and Immokalee. Serious concerns were raised by the audience that the traffic flow could be maintained with such density of commercial development. 

• Would it become a "right in - right out" intersection only, with a continuous median?

Again, that is uncertain until some traffic modeling is done. An audience member pointed out the risk of emergency vehicles being unable to enter our neighborhood if they were coming east on Immokalee and traffic was backed up around the Tarpon Bay light. 

• What traffic controls would be required at 20th and Oakes Blvd for efficient flow of 
  • Traffic wanting to go west on Immokalee via the Tarpon Bay light?
  • Traffic wanting to go south on Oakes via the Tarpon Bay light?

There is concern over whether a light would be required at 20th and Oakes. And residents of 20th are concerned that an increase of traffic on 20th might result in opening up the east end of their street onto the Logan Blvd extension. The Oakes Estates Advisory has formed a committee to work through all these issues and arrive at a workable plan with the county. Updates will be forthcoming as each step is taken in the process.

7. Right of Way for "Oakes Estates" Signage

• If we funded construction of our own signs, would the county grant us use of "right of way" property at the north and south ends of Oakes Blvd?
  
  Yes, that should be a possibility as long as it's not within the drainage easement area.

Oakes Estates Advisory
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
May 6, 2003

In Attendance

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
April 1, 2003

In Attendance

Call to Order / Quorum / Past Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7.00 p.m by President Karl Fry. A quorum of Board members was present. Bob Walker read the minutes of the March 2003 meeting at the request of Secretary Diane Corbett, and they were approved. 

Treasurer's Report

Treasurer Denny Baker informed us that the balance in the account is $2698.00.

Current Business 
Street Renaming. Peter Goodin the chairman of the street renaming committee gave us an update on the ongoing work that he and a group of volunteers had accomplished in the past month. Flyers went out to homes and homeowners were made aware of the idea and the possible costs of renaming our streets and were asked to sign a petition giving their approval to the committee to move forward. He believed that the returns had been relatively positive on this issue. He will have obtained more information and will share that with the Committee at the next meeting.

Vanderbilt 6-Laning Noise Study Criteria. Rich Lidgard gave an updated report on the Vanderbilt/Logan Noise Study Criteria. He reported that the 90% stage meeting is to be held on May 6. There will be signs posted in the area to inform residents of this meeting. He stated that since the widening of Vanderbilt Road is at the 90% stage now that there really is nothing more to be done with this issue. The main thing now is to make sure the Committee is in on the early stage meetings concerning Logan Blvd. Extension. The Oakes Board has emailed Commissioner Henning with our concerns and request for clarification of the criteria as they will impact the Logan Extension.

Re-zoning of Immokalee Corridor (north side of 24th Avenue NW). The attempts to re-zone Oakes Estates parcels between 24th Ave and Immokalee Road have been stalled thus far but the issue is still ongoing and the Oakes Board is in continuing contact with Commissioner Henning and members of the Collier County Planning Commission on this important issue. Sources have informed us that it will come before the Planning Commission or County Commission again in the near future, at which time Oakes residents will need to appear in numbers.

Widening of Oakes for additional Turn Lanes onto Vanderbilt Beach Rd. On the issue of the Oakes land acquisition of 15/35 feet at the southernmost 1500 feet of Oakes Blvd to be used for turning lanes seems to be progressing with an appraiser from the County examining the properties in question. As of yet no offers have been forthcoming to the property owners. The Oakes Board has contacted property owners and determined that they do not want to sell/lose this land. We have contacted Commissioner Henning in opposition and he is following up on our behalf.

Park on SW Corner of 20th and Oakes. The idea for a possible future park at the SW corner lot at 20th and Oakes has been put aside at this time while the Board deals with issues of more urgency such as street renaming, Oakes widening, etc.

"Oakes Estates" Signage. Motion made by Chuck Cannaday to table signage business until next meeting.
2nd by Jim Rice
Motion Voted on and Passed

New Business

Remove Traffic Light at Oakes & Immokalee. Motion was made by Bob Walker to form a Committee that would investigate all our options to help reduce traffic on Oakes Blvd. with the Transportation Department.
Motion 2nd by Chuck Cannaday 
Voted on and Passed
Chuck Cannaday, Mike Sidlovski and Jim Roberts volunteered to form this committee.

Replacement of Directors for repeated absence, problems with recent street paving. Motion made by Chuck Cannaday that we not discuss the new business of check-signing authority, replacement of Directors and problems with recent street paving until the next meeting. 
2nd by Rob Corbett
Amended Motion: We not discuss the business of the replacement of Directors and problems with recent street paving until the next meeting.
Voted on and Passed

Treasurer Check Signing authority. Motion made by Chuck Cannaday to remove any prior officers of the Oakes Estates Advisory from check signing authority with the 5th 3rd Bank.
2nd by Mark Smith 
Voted on and Passed

Openings on county advisory committees. Karl Fry reviewed a list of openings available to residents that he had received from the Board of County Commissioners, and passed out application forms to interested individuals. Motion made by Chuck Cannaday to take the application and information for the advisory committee and post on our Website to be accessible to any and all members and interested people.
2nd by Bob Walker
Voted on and Passed

2003 strategy regarding membership, e-mail list and dues/donations. Motion made by Jim Rice to make membership dues be $25.00 for the 2003 year
2nd by Mark Smith.
Voted on and Passed
Motion made by Chuck Cannaday to have the Street Naming Captains ask petitioners if they would give us their e-mail addresses.
2nd by JimRoberts
Voted on and Passed

Letter to all Property Owners. President Karl Fry and Vice President Mark Smith will together form a new letter to be mailed in the near future to the community.


Adjournment. Motion was made by Karl Fry and seconded by Barbara Collins to adjourn the meeting. Voted on and motion passed. 
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
March 4, 2003

In Attendance

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
February 4, 2003

• President – Karl Fry (22nd Avenue) - nominated by Nora Beyers and seconded by Barb Collins
• Vice President – Mark Smith (18th Avenue) - nominated by Karl Fry and seconded by Ray Russell
• Secretary - Diane Corbett (24th Avenue) – nominated by Judy Lee and seconded by Bob Walker
• Treasurer – Denny Baker (10th Avenue) – nominated by Peter Goodin and seconded by Chuck Cannaday
  

Directors were elected to two year terms as follows:

• Bob Walker (Oakes Blvd.) – nominated by Mark Smith and seconded by Jim Roberts
• Jim Rice (Oakes Blvd.)– nominated by Mark Smith and seconded by Bob Walker
• Robert Corbett (24th Avenue) – nominated by Bob Walker and seconded by Rich Lidgard
• Ray Russell (12th Avenue) – nominated by Rob Corbett and seconded by Peter Goodin
• Tim Lee (10th Avenue) nominated by Rich Lidgard and seconded by Barb Collins
• Debbie Mosher (14th Avenue) – will continue to fill her term
• Chuck Cannaday (Oakes Blvd) - will continue to fill his term
  

Old Business:

• Karl Fry gave an update on the necessary steps needed to obtain new street names.
  

New Business:

• Bob Walker reported the first meeting on the Logan Blvd. Extension subject will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2003 at 4:15 p.m. in Commissioner Henning’s office. There will be approximately 6-10 residents and board members who will attend with objectives as follows: 1) none of the avenues to connect to Logan, 2) drainage remain as an easement for Oakes residents, 3) begin construction of the eastern lanes first, and 4) conduct a noise study.
• A committee was formed to establish street names. Chairing the committee will be Peter Goodin, with members Barb Collins, Hiram Garcia, Rich Lidgard, and Roger Macauley
• A discussion was held on the board’s support on gaining enforcement of code violations with emphasis on those violations which affect the peace, beauty and tranquility, and safety of life in Oakes Estates.
• Rich Lidgard and other residents of 10th Avenue requested support in getting a buffer installed between Vanderbilt Beach Road and the south end of Oakes Estates.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.


Nora Beyers, Secretary
nbeyers@oakesadvisory.com 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
January 7, 2003

In Attendance