EAC Minutes 05/04/2011
May 4, 2011
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Naples, Florida, May 4, 2011 j ~:~~~,I;J
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Environdl~l.....................
Advisory Council in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 9:00 AM in a REGULAR SESSION at
Administrative Building "F", 3rd Floor, Collier County Government
Complex Naples, Florida with the following members present:
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Fiala l).v CHAIRMAN: Dr. Judith Hushon
Hilier ~ t[J::> VICE CHAIRMAN: Andrew Dickman
~~~I~ng 3> ~ ~ Mic~ael .Sorrell
Coletta DavId BIshof
Gina Downs
ALSO PRESENT: Steve Williams, Assistant County Attorney
Summer Araque, Sr. Environmentalist Specialist
Mac Hatcher, Sr. Environmental Specialist
Jack McKenna, County Engineer
Jeff Wright, Assistant County Attorney
Tony Ruberto, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation
Barry Williams, Director, Parks and Recreation
Alex Sulecki, Conservation Collier Coordinator
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May 4,2011
I. Call to Order
Chairman Hushon called the meeting to order at 9:00AM.
II. Roll Call
Roll call was taken and a quorum was established.
III. Approval of Agenda
Mr. Dickman moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Mr. SorrelL Carried
unanimously 4 - O.
IV. Approval of the October April 13, 2011 meeting minutes
Mr. Dickman moved to approve the minutes o/the April 13, 2011 meeting. Second
by Mr. SorrelL Carried unanimously 4 - O.
V. Upcoming Environmental Advisory Council Absences
None
Steve Williams, Assistant County Attorney replaced Jeff Wright at 9: 18am
VI. Land Use Petitions
A. Gordon River Greenway Park Rezone (RZ-PL 2009-25)
and companion item Special Treatment Permit (ST - PL 2011-677)
Section 27 & 34, Township 39, Range 25 East
J.P. Marchand, Kimley-Horn and Assoc. and Ray Loraine, Entrix, Inc.
provided an overview of the project noting:
. The project is located is approximately 124 acres in size, located south
of Golden Gate Parkway and East of Goodlette Frank Road.
. It is ajoint project between Collier County Parks and Recreation
Department and Conservation Collier with partnerships from the Naples
Zoo and Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
. The site is mainly undeveloped except for some areas utilized for
overflow parking by the Naples Zoo.
. The applicant seeks to develop a public greenway incorporating passive
recreational uses such as a multi use pathway, walking trails, Gopher
Tortoise Preserve, fishing platform, kayak access, etc.
. The trails will consist of boardwalks and a 12 foot wide asphalt
walkway.
. Parking is proposed in two areas, in the northerly section, off Golden
Gate Parkway (55 +/- spaces) and in an area between the Naples Zoo
and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida (660 spaces).
. The parking area in the vicinity of the Zoo will be a combination of
asphalt and grass parking areas (approximately 50 percent of the overall
parking area is proposed to be grass).
. The project is subject to permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers,
South Florida Water Management District and other Agencies.
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May 4, 2011
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The following issues were raised during Council discussions:
. The feasibility of constructing a filter marsh at the easterly end of the
parking lot in the area of Naples Zoo.
. The feasibility of utilizing pervious pavement for the construction of the
parking areas and the 12 foot wide pathway associated with the project.
. Concern on the size of the parking area proposed (660 spaces) for
Greenway users and the overflow users for the Conservancy and Zoo
The Council questioned if a parking analysis has been completed for the project to
determine the size of areas required for Greenway users.
Mr. Bishof arrived at 9:39 am
Ray Loraine and J.P. Marchand noted the parking area in question is designed
with depressed medians to assist in stormwater retention. The proposed retention
area may be planted with appropriate vegetation to improve treatment of
stormwater. The stormwater system is designed to retain any water generated by
a storm precipitating 2.8 inches of rainfall or less. Any stormwater which is
discharged from the stormwater treatment system during a larger storm event will
be treated by the wetland before discharging into the river.
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Tony Ruberto, Project Manager noted Staff considered use of pervious
materials, however are concerned with long term durability and maintenance
issues associated with the products (the areas require "vacuuming" on a regular
basis to maintain their previous characteristics). The project will meet the
requirements of the South Florida Water Management District for stormwater
treatment.
Barry Williams, Director Parks and Recreation noted there has not been a
parking analysis completed for the project. The County continues to consider
pervious surfaces, however has ruled them out at this point due to concerns on the
long term stability of a pervious material given the amount of traffic which may
utilize the area.
Other concerns included pervious surfaces may not optimal conditions for all
intended users of the pathway (i.e. roller bladers, etc.)
The Council expressed concern the project proponents may not have thoroughly
considered the feasibility of utilizing pervious materials in construction of the
infrastructure within the project. The project should be a showcase for "green"
development and given the draft recommendations contained in the proposed
Watershed Management Plan, the concept of utilizing green materials should be
thoroughly exhausted.
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May 4,2011
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Summer Brown Araque, Sr. Environmental Specialist stated County Staff has
reviewed the applications and recommends the project be approved with no
stipulations.
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Speaker
Gary McNally expressed concern asphalt, given its composition has a tendency
to leach oil into the soil and consideration should be given to its impacts on area
wetlands.
Jack McKenna, County Engineer noted he is not aware of any studies
identifying the potential for asphalt to leach oil.
Alex Sulecki, Conservation Collier Coordinator noted the Conservation Collier
Land Acquisition Committee considered utilizing pervious materials in the
construction of the pathways, however given the challenges as outlined herein by
the project proponents, opted for impervious asphalt.
Ms. Downs moved for the applicant return the item to the Environmental
Advisory Council after completing the design of afilter marsh (at the east end
of the parking lot proposed between the Naples Zoo and the Conservancy of
Southwest Florida,) and a more serious consideration of utilizing pervious
surfacesfor the parking lot and 12 wide pathway. Second by Mr. Sorrell.
Ms. Downs amended the motion for the applicant return the item to the
Environmental Advisory Council after completing the design of a filter marsh
and a more serious consideration of utilizing pervious surfaces for the parking
lot and 12 wide pathway. The applicant provides a parking analysis for the
project Second by Mr. SorrelL
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Steve Williams, Assistant County Attorney stated the applicants are seeking a
recommendation from the Council and are not compelled to return the application
for review.
The Council questioned if Staff would be willing to continue the item.
Barry Williams requested a recommendation to deny or approve the application
so it may move forward through the permit process. Any comments generated by
the Council will be forwarded to any necessary parties. . .' .
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Ms. Downs withdrew the motion. wt:tJ.. '/-etJ... G r-u-uJ 'f...h (nu4f< m.uJ- f'LM-,
Mr. Sorrell moved to recommend the Board of County Commissioners deny the
application due to:
1. Lack of use of pervious materialsfor the proposed parking lot and 12foot
wide pathway.
2. The lack of a proposed filter marsh on the east end of the proposed parking
lot between the Naples Zoo and Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
3. Lack of a parking analysis for the proposed project . fu.. fmuj-
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May 4,2011
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Second by Mr. Dickman. Carried unanimously 5 - O.
Break: 10:50am
Re-convened: 11:01am
VII. New Business
None
VIII. Old Business
A. Watershed Management Plan Update
Mac Hatcher, Sr. Environmental Specialist provided a memo to the
Environmental Advisory Council dated April 25, 2011 - Subject "Staff Summary
- May 4, 2011 Watershed Management Plan Workshop Update" for review.
Moris Cabezas and Peter deGolian of Atkins provided a Slideshow overview
of the Watershed Management Plan.
Robert Mulhere, Mulhere and Associates provided an overview on the
schedule for adoption and implementation of the Plan.
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Speaker
Nicole Johnson, Conservancy of Southwest Florida provided a Memorandum
from the Environmental Resource Regulation Permit Review Staff from Robert
Brown, Director of Environmental Resource Regulation Dept. dated November
12,2009 - "Subject Environmental Resource Permit Water Quality Evaluations
for Discharges to Water Bodies that to Do Not Meet State Water Quality
Standards." She noted the memo contains information on how District Staff
should treat applications which propose stormwater discharges into impaired
waters (water bodies that do not meet State Water Quality Standards). The
majority ofthe projects in Collier County will be subject to the parameters
outlined in the memo. When considering future County requirements for projects
requiring stormwater treatment, the Conservancy recommends the County retain
the current Land Development Code requirements for treating stormwater, in
addition to any proposed requirements.
B. Update members on projects
None
IX. Subcommittee Reports
None
X. Council Member Comments
Staffwas requested to notify EAC members when the Proposed Fertilizer
Ordinance is considered by the Board of County Commissioners.
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XI. Staff Comments
A. Update members on projects
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May 4,2011
None
XII. Public Comments
None
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was
adjourned by the order of the Chair at 12:08 PM.
COLLIER COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL
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These Minutes were approved by the Board/Chairman on ~ I,
as presented , or as amended /" .
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