How You Can Impact the Future of Greater Estero Development | Traffic | PlanningEngage Estero, an all-volunteer, nonpolitical, nonprofit Community Engagement Association, believes there is a critical need to look closely at the collective impact on traffic because of...
News and Posts
Commissioner Kiker speaks to Corkscrew Shores residents
Apr 5, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Transportation
On March 26th Commissioner Kiker visited the Corkscrew Shores gated community to speak on plans for Corkscrew Road. Commissioner Kiker acknowledged the concerns residents have for worsening traffic, both cars and trucks on Corkscrew Road. Commissioner Kiker assured...
County launches Corkscrew Road Improvement Study webpage
Apr 2, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Growth, Transportation
Lee County has posted a page on their website that covers information regarding the Corkscrew Road Improvement Study at: https://www.leegov.com/corkscrew It provides a great deal of information, including: Interactive map of the affected area A sign-up for email...
Match Day Success: Eight new first year, family-medicine residents will complete their training at Lee Health
Mar 28, 2018 | Health
The ECCL supports these and other efforts to attract the best talent in healthcare to south Lee County. On Match Day, Friday, March 16, the eight, new, first-year, family medicine residents who will be completing their training at Lee Health were revealed by The...
ECCL Participates in 2018 Heart Walk
Mar 12, 2018 | Community Events, Engage Estero News
The ECCL was proud to participate in the 2018 Estero Heart Walk held at Estero Community Park on Saturday, February 17. They spread the word about ways residents can stay up-to-date on local events.
Lee Health hiring for Coconut Point facility
Mar 7, 2018 | Economic Development, Health
Lee Health is currently building a large healthcare facility in Estero, and hiring has begun. A wide variety of jobs will be available, and there is a website just for applicants. https://jobs.leehealthcp.org/ Job fields include: Nursing: RNs, ARNPs, LPNs, CNAs...
Junior Achievement Program Seeking Volunteers
Mar 5, 2018 | Economic Development
Junior Achievement Program Seeking Volunteers Village of Estero is working with Lee District School Board & Administrative staff, and ECCL Outreach Council to introduce a comprehensive JA Program for Estero-area schools. This will include JA Lesson Plan programs...
Feature: East Corkscrew Road Needs Improvement, Now!
Mar 5, 2018 | EDR-02-2018, Feature
Estero residents who live along east Corkscrew Road say they must take uncomfortable risks daily just to exit their communities and head toward town. “Getting out between 7 and 9 in the morning and then about 3 to 6 p.m. when school’s out, it’s very difficult,” states...
Development Review Summary February 2018
Mar 5, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-02-2018, Growth
A hotel is being proposed at Miromar Outlets, and an apartment complex may be coming to the Coconut Point area. Two senior living communities also are making their way through the development process. In 2017, the Planning & Zoning Board (PZB) heavily focused on...
Is the traffic heavy enough for you yet?
Feb 26, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Growth, Transportation
What's at Stake: Impact Fee funding for roads and schools How Can I Help: Attend the March 6 County Council Meeting and support the updated costs adoption When: Tuesday, March 6 9:30 am Where: Lee County Council Chambers, Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main St., Fort...
Development Review Summary January 2018
Feb 9, 2018 | Development Review Summary, EDR-01-2018
Design plans for the Estero Grande retail center and Estero Grande Parkside apartment complex have been approved for this development west of U.S. 41 at Estero Parkway directly across from Walmart. Estero Grande will include a Starbucks with a drive through and may...
Feature: A Comprehensive Look at Estero’s Transportation Needs
Feb 9, 2018 | EDR-01-2018, Feature
In December, the Estero Economic Excellence Outreach Council (EEEOC) held its second organizational meeting with special guest Dr. Mike Martin, president of Florida Gulf Coast University at FGCU’s Emerging Technology Center. Discussion centered on recruiting...
Estero’s Single-Family Home Sales Fall Off in December; 2017 Achieves Record High Since 2010
Feb 6, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-01-2018, Growth
Thirty-nine (39) single family homes were sold in Estero in December, down 40% from December, 2016. Despite weak sales in November and December, the five hundred ninety-four (594) homes sold in 2017, while only slightly ahead of 2016, marks the best year since 2010...
Estero’s December Commercial Permits Weak; 2017 Especially Strong
Feb 6, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-01-2018, Growth
Commercial permits in December 2017 totaled $1,237,003, one of the lowest monthly figures this year. The $114 million permit value for 2017, as shown below, marks the second-best year for commercial investment in the last ten years, largely due the $82 million...
Estero’s December Residential Building Permits Include 2nd Genova Unit; 2017’s Total Permits Approach $90 Million
Feb 6, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-02-2018, Growth
During December 2017, permits for forty-three (43) residential units were issued. This included a thirty-four unit building within Genova Coconut Point on Three Oaks, seven (7) single-family homes, and two (2) duplexes. Six of the nine single family units were...
Feature: Estero Economic Excellence Outreach Council Part II: Village Center Development and Implementation
Jan 16, 2018 | Economic Development, EDR-01-2018, Feature
In December, the Estero Economic Excellence Outreach Council (EEEOC) held its second organizational meeting with special guest Dr. Mike Martin, president of Florida Gulf Coast University at FGCU’s Emerging Technology Center. Discussion centered on recruiting...
December 2017 Development Review Summary
Jan 8, 2018 | Development Review Summary, EDR-01-2018
This month, the Estero Planning & Zoning Board (PZB) finished its review of the first Village of Estero Comprehensive Plan. It now goes to Village Council for review on Jan. 3. A transmittal hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10, when the Village will officially send...
Estero’s October/November Commercial Permits Remain Stable; 2017 Remains Especially Strong
Jan 8, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-01-2018, Growth
Commercial permits in October and November 2017 totaled $3,791,452, including $725,000 for construction of additional retail space at the Shoppes at Grande Oak on Ben Hill Griffin. Also included were additional investments in remodeling stores within Coconut Point and...
Estero’s Residential Building Permits Pause After the Hurricane
Jan 8, 2018 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-01-2018, Growth
During October and November 2017, the issuance of residential single-family permits slowed appreciably to only seven (7) homes, with all seven being issued in November. Undoubtedly, the hurricane temporarily stalled new home construction. But, the total value of all...
Feature: Estero Economic Excellence Outreach Council: What Is It And Why Should You Be Involved?
Dec 8, 2017 | Economic Development, EDR-11-2017
Estero Economic Excellence Outreach Council: Partnership with FGCU and Schools Mission The EEEOC’s mission is “to engage as many talented and experienced businesspersons who call Estero their home, or their second home, to actively support the efforts of Southwest...
Development Review Summary November 2017
Dec 4, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Development Review Summary, EDR-11-2017
This month, NCH Healthcare presented its request for zoning deviations to operate a 24/7 emergency medical facility in the Shoppes of Coconut Trace, while Aldi presented revised design plans for a new grocery store on U.S. 41 north of Walmart. Several other businesses...
Estero’s Single-Family Home Sales Surge in October; 2017 Remains Strongest Year Since 2010
Dec 4, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-11-2017, Growth
Despite the after effects of the hurricane, forty-seven (47) single family homes were sold in Estero in October, up 42% from October 2016. Year-to-date sales are up 8%. The five hundred twenty-three (523) homes sold so far this year represents the best annual start...
Nov. 14 Healthcare Committee Meeting
Nov 2, 2017 | Health
November 14 @ 2:00 pm RSVP [ninja_form id=7] The healthcare needs of the residents of south Lee County have never been conveniently served. The nearest hospital is over 10 miles from the center of the Bonita Springs and Estero communities. As the following History...
Development Review Summary October 2017
Nov 1, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Development Review Summary, EDR-10-2017
Village Council approved a fee structure for the Bonus Density Program that was adopted earlier this year for the three properties that Lee County had approved under their Bonus Density Program. These fees will be used by the Village for future purchases of public...
Estero’s September Residential Building Permits Pause for Hurricane
Nov 1, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-10-2017, Growth
During September 2017, Estero residential permits totaled only four (4) single-family homes, all of which were for Tidewater at the SW corner of Ben Hill Griffin and Estero Parkway. Over half of the single-family permits this year have been for Tidewater. The total...
Estero’s September Commercial Permits Lackluster; 2017 Remains Very Strong
Nov 1, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-10-2017, Growth
Estero’s commercial permits in September 2017 totaled $893,888, one of the lowest monthly totals in the last few years, likely as a result of the hurricane. For the year, over $7 million has been invested in renovations within Coconut Point and Miromar malls,...
September 2017 Development Review Summary
Oct 6, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Development Review Summary, EDR-09-2017
While the Village continues to deal with drainage issues and debris removal in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, city business has resumed. The Planning & Zoning Board (PZB) made two recommendations to Village Council last month concerning re-platting of...
Lee County Commissioners approve purchase of Edison Farms conservation land
Sep 20, 2017 | Environment
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on September 19, 2017 to purchase about 4,000 acres in southeast Lee County – commonly known as Edison Farms – as a Conservation 20/20 preservation site. County commissioners have made preserving Edison Farms a...
Lee County Special Needs Shelter Information
Sep 7, 2017 | Health, Public Services
Lee County residents with special needs need to register before a storm in order to have a spot in a special needs shelter. You need to do this before Southwest Florida is in the five day forecast zone. Link to the website and online...
Development Review Summary August 2017
Aug 28, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Development Review Summary, EDR-08-2017
New development proposals this month include a five-story hotel at Coconut Point and a self-storage facility near Miromar Outlets. The Village is still refining its Bonus Density program for public land acquisition and reviewing possible provisions for the...
Feature: Developments Currently Under Review by the Village of Estero
Aug 28, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-08-2017, Feature
The Village of Estero is currently considering 17 applications from developers seeking rezoning or development orders to start building. The process typically begins with a presentation to the Planning and Zoning Board (PZB), unless a development has already received...
Feature: Now Under Construction: Developments Currently Underway in Estero
Jul 27, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-7-2017, Feature
Estero is rapidly approaching “build out” with approximately 400 acres of vacant land left to be developed of the total 17,000 acres in the Village of Estero. Currently, Estero has 17 projects under construction. Another handful of developments are making their way...
Two Years of Progress Outlined in 2017 Budget Message
Jul 20, 2017 | City News
At the July 19, 2017 Council Meeting, Village Manager Steve Sarkozy presented his Budget Message, which provides an excellent summary of two years of steady growth for the young municipality. The Estero Council of Community Leaders feels this message is an outstanding...
Active Developments in Estero
Jul 3, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning
Click to Open in Full Window [trx_blogger title="Monthly Development Review Summary" style="classic_3" filters="no" dir="horizontal" post_type="post" cat="146" count="6" columns="3" offset="0" orderby="date" order="desc" only="no" scroll="no" rating="no" info="no"...
The Future of Estero’s Malls: Brighter Than the National Outlook
Jun 29, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-07-2017
New research from Credit Suisse predicts nearly one in four American malls will close by 2022, Fortune Magazine recently reported. Fueled by the rise in e-commerce, store closures are reaching epidemic proportions; Amazon sales continue to rise as sales from...
June 2017: Development Review Summary
Jun 28, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Development Review Summary, Developments, EDR-07-2017
Village Council Actions Edera at Coconut Point Village Council heard plans for Edera at Coconut Point, a 180-unit apartment complex along Via Coconut Point south of Williams Road, during a first reading of the proposed ordinance. Council sent this proposal back to the...
See a problem? Let the Village know!
Jun 27, 2017 | City News, Public Services
If you see overgrown landscape in the median, trash, a dead animal or other issues on the roadway, you may report it here https://estero-fl.gov/request-for-action/ The Village of Estero is making every effort to improve the level of service on our roads to enhance...
Feature: The History of Housing in Estero: 2000-2016
May 2, 2017 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-04-2017, Feature, Growth
The Village of Estero had about 22,403 residences at the end of 2016. Here’s a look at the history and demographics of housing in Estero. Prologue In 1997, the Estero Fire District conducted a survey of all structures in Estero and found about 4,600 housing units of...
Estero’s No. 1 Transportation Problem
Mar 1, 2017 | EDR-02-2017, Transportation
The Interstate 75 interchange at Corkscrew Road is failing to adequately handle traffic during peak hours of usage. As Estero’s only connection to the interstate highway system, this interchange is a source of continual aggravation as traffic routinely backs up,...
Why Should We Care about the DR/GR
Jan 23, 2017 | Environment
Density Reduction…
Groundwater Resource…area
The name tells it all.
Feature: Rental Housing is Booming in Estero
Aug 3, 2016 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-8-2016, Feature, Growth
In 2012 Richard Hunt, the ECCL’s real estate market research consultant, found that Estero had a shortage of both rental and senior housing. During the housing boom of the early 2000’s Estero rental-only housing was converted to condominiums. Almost immediately after...
Feature: A Banner Year for New Business Openings in Estero
May 4, 2016 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Developments, Economic Development, EDR-5-2016, Feature
In 2015 more new commercial properties were placed in service in Estero than in any year since 2007. While Hertz and Walmart received the most attention, other commercial businesses opened their doors for the first time last year as well. The new properties added...
Roundabouts as an Alternative to Traffic Lights
Mar 28, 2016 | Transportation
At the March 23, 2016 Village Council meeting, Don Eslick, Interim Chairman of the Estero Council of Community Leaders, spoke about the use of roundabouts. He stated the Metropolitan Planning Organization is conducting a study of 18 different intersections to...
About Estero’s unique historic park
Jan 11, 2016 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, Estero History
Estero is fortunate to have the unique Koreshan State Historic Site in the center of our community. This park offers year-round recreational opportunities for boating, fishing, and hiking, as well as concerts and even a farmers market. It’s also where the Estero River...
Feature: Estero Residential Construction Booming
Oct 26, 2015 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-10-2015, Feature
You have no doubt noticed construction is booming again. To keep you abreast of the latest developments, the ECCL is including a series of EDR articles on these new developments. Last month’s EDR included an article on construction of senior living facilities and...
Feature: Estero Senior and Rental Housing Booming
Sep 21, 2015 | Developments, EDR-09-2015, Feature
Construction in Estero is booming again. New residential and commercial construction developments are underway. And many more are in the planning process. The next several editions of the EDR will include information on these developments, both those under...
Signs in Estero
Sep 2, 2014 | Community Planning, Development / Community Planning, EDR-08-2014
Basic Guidance for the Legal Use of Signs in Estero from the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) August 2014 This document is designed to provide citizen education and awareness. It summarizes often-complex provisions and thus is not intended as, and cannot be...
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