Oakes Estates Advisory

 “State of our Neighborhood Vision 2010”

Never Allow the 4-laning of Oakes Blvd.

Oakes Blvd. 4-laning has been removed from the 25-year master plan. With the opening of Logan Blvd between Vanderbilt Beach & Immokalee Roads this should not be an issue anytime in the foreseeable future but as with most issues we as a neighborhood will need to remain vigilant on this issue as the 4-laning Oakes Blvd. would be a drastic change to our neighborhood environment.

Never Allow our Lanes to Connect to Logan Blvd

The OEA pledged early support for the Logan Extension in return for the county’s pledge never to connect our lanes. We do not expect this to become and issue as the county staff has pledged that they have no interest in this idea.  However, we must always remain vigilant on this issue as there are outside forces that will continue to propose this idea for their self interests.

Fight Development and Commercialization

We have been very successful in controlling and limiting commercial development adjacent to our neighborhood the past few years but we will need to continue to be active in this issue as more commercial development is being proposed at Immokalee Road & Logan Blvd. 

Neighborhood Identity (Neighborhood Park, Neighborhood Signs & Neighborhood Activities)

The OEA worked with the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department for over 5 years to achieve the preservation of a 5-acre parcel at Spanish Oaks and Oakes Blvd and development of the Oakes Estates Neighborhood Park which many families are now enjoying.

We have purchased three new neighborhood signs that will placed in the following locations; the Oakes Blvd. median near Vanderbilt Beach Road; in the county right of way on Spanish Oaks near Oakes Blvd. and at the corner of Oakes Blvd. and Autumn Oaks Lane. We are currently in the permitting process with the county and anticipate installing these new signs in early 2010.

This past year saw a number of new activities take place within our neighborhood. We held our first neighborhood garage sale at Faith Bible Church on Immokalee Rd which was a big success. Another garage sale is being scheduled for March 2010. We have also assisted the North Naples Baptist Church with some of their neighborhood events/dinners such as the one just held this past October which was well attended by our neighbors. We hope to continue to plan and assist with future neighborhood events. These types of events are a great way to meet our neighbors and their families.

Access to More Services / Super Target and Chili’s, etc.

We negotiated for almost a year with the Super Target / Kite Development PUD. One of the 15 concessions they made was to provide the crosswalk and flashing light you now see beside our new neighborhood park. The shopping center is as attractive as any in the area, and we now have groceries and household supplies within 3 minutes and great dining too.

Traffic Calming (via Standing Oaks PUD)

We negotiated aggressively with the Standing Oaks PUD (164 future condos/townhomes on 41 acres beside I-75) for standards regarding their future border with our western-most residents between Shady Oaks and Standing Oaks Lanes.  In addition, whenever they submit and gain approval of a Site Development Plan (needed before construction begins), it is written into their PUD contract with the county that they are to provide several raised, planted medians along Oakes Blvd. This project appears to be on hold for the time being due to the economy but these improvements to Oakes Blvd. are part of the PUD document and will be enforced whenever this project begins.

Reduction of Cut-Through Traffic, Truck Traffic and Speed on Oakes Blvd.

This past year saw the removal of the traffic light at Oakes Blvd. & Immokalee Road. This removal has been a great help in the reduction of cut through traffic on Oakes and has not caused any great difficulties to our residents as another exit with a traffic light to Immokalee Rd. is provided through Tarpon Bay Blvd. Also this past year the speed limit reduction to 35MPH has been in effect and has provided for a much safer street. Finally this past year saw the removal of all through trucks over one ton from Oakes Blvd. All these changes have brought about a more “residential” feel to Oakes Blvd as opposed to being a major “cut through” street.

Improved Access (via Completion of Immokalee under the I-75 Bridge)

Forecast for completion by the end of January 2010 this last section of Immokalee Road will make a dramatic impact on our ability to travel to and from the west with four lanes traveling in both directions.

Improved Access (via Future “Jog” at the Valewood light into Oakes Estates)

There are plans for an additional future entrance/exit to our neighborhood, tentatively planned for the summer/fall of 2010. When completed the intersection at Valewood (Quail Creek and Longshore Lake) and Immokalee Rd. will be expanded with lanes southward to connect with Autumn Oaks Lane.  Travel in all directions onto Immokalee Rd. will be possible.

However, this may be held up due to budget concerns at the county level. We will need to continue to monitor the progress of this project.

Much of the land needed by the county for this “jog” is being provided by the First Congregational Church. In return, we have provided support for their conditional use application which has been approved by the county. This beautiful new church is now open under the leadership of Rev. Les Wicker.

The future

Over the past several years many of the concerns and issues that our neighborhood has had have been successfully addressed with the cooperation of county and development interests through the hard work of this organization. Most of the original “vision” that our neighborhood and our organization had has been accomplished. But there is still more to do.