Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District held its regular board meeting on Nov. 18. One of the first topics of discussion was on the district’s upcoming annual Holiday Town Hall Meeting held Dec. 17. Commissioners discussed the incurred costs of the event and the invitation of local and state representatives.

During public comment, a resident suggested that the town hall meeting include a wider segment of the Lehigh Acres community in the future.

Under good cause, commissioners heard from District Manager David Lindsay and Legal Counsel Maggie Mooney regarding the authorization of a planning study. The study pertains to the district’s look into the feasibility of adding the power to hear community zoning and planning review requests.

According to Lindsay, three separate plans were submitted to Municipal District Chair Mike Bonacolta. These plans outlined various directions the district could go in regards to assuming that role.

“We have discovered the procedures that the district must follow to obtain planning powers. Our powers would fall under Lee County’s Tier III section of planning and zoning, which is more of a community outreach in regards to planning.

Mooney then provided three mock-ups as to where the district would fit within the planning review process.

“Within any capacity it’s any opportunity of for different areas of Lee County to gather and have a developer present and almost do community outreach to the public. That is what we are talking about under Tier III,” Mooney said.

Commissioner Michael Welch asked that Mooney elaborate on the guidelines that must be followed when preforming this type of function, and suggested that other groups currently preforming this function in Lehigh be contacted.

Currently the Lehigh Acres Community Council and the Lehigh Acres Architectural Zoning and Review Board hear developers and property owners public review requests and applications.

Commissioners voted to approve the planning study, not to exceed the amount of $7,500.

Commissioners voted in favor to move forward on another step in its attempt to acquire street lighting power. The agenda item, Rate Study Agreement Ratification and Extension-Stantec, authorized the completion of the second step in a street lighting power study at a cost of $39,998.

Under good cause agenda, the board approved an $87,000 Florida Department of Environmental Protection appropriation grant agreement for the design of C.R.E.S.T. (Caloosahatchee River and Estuary Storage Treatment) project. The project is listed under Lee County’s Flood Mitigation plan, and will provide better flood and drainage control, water flow, and to protect the environment.

Board members also voted in favor of a C.R.E.S.T. design agreement with AIM Engineering.

District Manager David Lindsay also presented quote and three design options for the new Welcome to Lehigh Acres monument sign. After consideration commissioner’s voted on a design and price range between of $30,000-$40,000.

Other motions accepted and up for approval was the ATV Sheriff’s detail report, to consider alternatives to the patrol efforts of illegal ATV use.

“We are dealing with this illegal ATV use up and down our canals. We have some very angry residents who say they are going behind their homes, and damaging the canals and their yards. It’s a very dangerous situation. We had a lot a lot of adrenaline when this first began but now we haven’t heard much about. I think it’s a good idea to get back and meet with the Sheriff’s Office,” Welch said.

Commissioners also considered a request made from Lee County’s MPO on a street walk/bridge access that would accommodate students attending the future MM Middle and Elementary School’s planned for Lee County. The board tabled the discussion until more information is obtained.

The Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District will hold its next meeting and a special meeting on Monday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. at the LA-MSID, at 601 East County Lane. For information, visit www.myecwcd.net.