Pfuner named to fill LACPC seat
By MEL TOADVINE, “mailto:mtoadvine@breezenewspapers.com”>mtoadvine@breezenewspapers.com
Thomas Pfuner of Lehigh Acres is the newest member of the Lehigh Acres Community Planning Corp. A member of the Pfuner family in Lehigh that developed TownLakes, Pfuner is active in the development business.
Pfuner was one of three who had applied for the vacant seat which was filled by a vote of the other 13 members.
Before Pfuner became a member of the LACPC, the group held a lengthy discussion about the Lehigh Community Plan which is in its final stages by Wallace Roberts & Todd.
The land use study was presented to the community several weeks ago and will go before the Lee County Commission for approval for its comprehensive plan.
Edd Weiner, vice president of the LACPC, was asked by someone in the audience how much the plan would cost to implement.
“You can’t put a price tag on it. That’s a trip I don’t want to fall into as we move on,” he said.
Frank LaRosa, another member of the LACPC Board, said he had a “big pet peeve” concerning the plan.
“Around 20 years ago we did a plan and nothing ever came of it. It never happened. I don’t have confidence that this plan is going to happen.
“We are always promised so much but it never happens. A price tag on the plan – you can’t put a price on it,” he said.
Damon Shelor, another member of the LACPC board said he viewed the plan as a 20 to 30-year conception for the future.
“It’s all on us, that is what we are doing here … we have to keep up the pressure. We have to stay on the commissioners. It’s part of our job. Other people need to pick up the ball so our children and grandchildren will see a change.”
Weiner said the plan will be discussed on Dec. 1 but while the public is invited, no one in the public can make a comment. The meeting is at 1 p.m. at the Victoria Ave. government site.
“Maybe we need to get a bunch of people to attend,” said Bo Turbeville, president of the LACPC.
And Weiner joined in with “it will give us an opportunity wear our red shirts so they can see us.”
LaRosa said the board needs to take a lead in support of the plan.
“We need to go there to the commissioners and show our voice. We need to make a point.”
“We all should go, all 14 of us,” said Linda Carter, another member of the board.
Meanwhile, David Lindsay, executive director of the East County Water Control District, and James J. Henley, a principal with Burt Hill/ Pollock Krieg Architects Inc. of Fort Myers, gave an update of the proposed new ECWCD Administration Building which has been scaled by to two stories.
“We’re here looking for your approval,” Lindsay said. Henley brought site plans with him and an architectural drawing that he passed out to ECWCD members.
“We have the building facing the ball park,” Lindsay said. What we have here is the north side of the building.“
“We believe it will make a good appearance to have it face the ball park,” he said,
As for the price of the proposed building, Lindsay was not able to say as bids have not been put out.
“I’d like to see some shade trees to soften up the building’s appearance and for shade,” Weiner told Lindsay and Henley.
The group was told by Henley that the north side of the building would see little bright sun light and as far the front of the building, Lindsay said the ECWCD board wants the building to be seen. “We don’t want to cover the area with trees,” Lindsay said. However, Henley said the required number of trees by the county is part of the plan.
Lindsay said the building would be erected to withstand miles of 150 mph during tropical storm season.
Presently the ECWCD uses several trailers to house its administrative offices. It is also where it meets to hold its monthly meetings.
In the end, the ECWCD received a motion to approve the plans and to send a letter of recommendation, backing the ECWCD plan for the building, to the county commissioners.
In other business, Fred Drovdlic, vice president of Quattrone & Associates Inc. of Fort Myers, asked the LACPC board to approve their bid for a rezoning change for a building on Lee Blvd., near Lee Street. Drovdlic brought three master concept plans showing how a new building can be used for office and retail, a convenience store, and finally a fast food restaurant.
“Please, no more drive-thrus,” said Richard Georgian, another member of the board.
“What we want is a nice restaurant there, not a drive-thru that can cause more traffic problems on Lee Blvd,” he said.
Drovdlic said interest had been shown by Burger King for the restaurant site.
“But we can talk to them,” he said.
He also said that Lee County Government Staff had recommended a restaurant.
Gordon Despot, of Lehigh, who was attending the meeting, noted that after a lot of discussion about a restaurant, that the group reminded the group that Drovdlic’s reason for being at the meeting was for a zoning chance. Turbeville agreed, noting that the firm was asking for rezoning from RSI o CPD.
However, Georgian, noting the three layouts before him on the table, “we would prefer the MC3 one to be approved, the one with a restaurant.“
A motion was passed to approved contingent upon the firm using the site for an inside restaurant. It was to go before zoning on Nov. 21.
Willard Baker, another member of the board, noted the story in the media about the Lehigh girl who had been hit the week before while walking on the street to a bus stop to go to school.
“That mother lost another child … I’ve been stressing this over and over – we need sidewalks in Lehigh Acres. What does it take, another death?” he asked. The student died later of her injuries and just this past week, another student was hit while walking on a road with no sidewalks on her way to school.
Of the three candidates applying to fill the vacancy on Nov. 12 on the ECWCD board , John Gibbons, an environmental planner, and Robert Anderson, a community activities had applied for the empty seat. However, Anderson told the group he was withdrawing after hearing the qualifications of the two other men.
Gibbons was asked by Turbeville and others on the board to become part of their group.
“We need people of your expertise, Please join us and help us,” he said.
“I would like that,” Gibbons said. “You’ll be seeing more of me.”