Live updates from Patrick Riley

3rd & 7 37yd

Lawyer for developer says project will have "ample parking."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:26:09 PM
Same resident is concerned abt exit near school. Would like to see units moderately priced so current residents don't get "squeezed out"

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:24:59 PM
Resident near proposed development says she's concerned about traffic. Says speed limits are never observed.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:23:16 PM
Former City Manager Gary Price says he's excited about the project. Says it will kickstart development on Old 41.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:20:35 PM
Fred Forbes, running for the District 6 seat, says he enthusiastically supports project, but wants elevators put into the buildings.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:17:43 PM
Business owner on Old 41 says project would benefit Bonita. Wants to see it happen before he "officially becomes an Old Timer."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:14:24 PM
Resident Dennis Church says the project is good for that end of Old 41, "anchors the community," and "brings in the people we want."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:11:23 PM
Last two public commenters in support of the project. Say it will jumpstart the downtown revitalization.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:09:29 PM
Simons says the city spent a lot of money and hours "to clean the creek up."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:07:21 PM
Now at public comment, former councilwoman Martha Simons. Says she is concerned with natural vegetation along Oak Creek.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:06:50 PM
One boardmember asks if the board can make the developer put an elevator into buildings. Answer: No.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:04:25 PM
Zoning Board Chairman Roger Brunswick calls project a "game changer." Says some of it will be trying to "hit moving target."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:02:06 PM
Genson says traffic isn't necessarily bad because it encourages people to walk through downtown.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:01:16 PM
Genson: We want downtown property to be used for commercial and residential uses not as parking lots.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 3:00:50 PM
As a reminder, city staff recommended approval of the project.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:58:12 PM
"We're really trying to activate downtown" with the density and commercial area, Genson says.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:55:32 PM
Genson says it's a "win-win" if city and developer can get started on proposed roundabout at Dean St. and Old 41 as soon as possible.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:50:32 PM
Genson says staff is working to give developer more flexibility so he can add more commercial space through administrative process.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:48:24 PM
"This project is really going to be a catalyst for the area," Genson says. Will "activate downtown."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:46:05 PM
Genson says city objected to plaza the developer proposed bc the city has plenty of other civic spaces.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:42:55 PM
Ricardo McCormick, architect for the project, says style will be Bohemian and there will be no elevators even though it's 3 stories.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:40:43 PM
The zoning request is for 220 standard density units and 53 bonus density units.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:36:34 PM
City wants to create "walk-to-town" feel with downtown redevelopment, says Jaqueline Genson from community development.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:35:44 PM
Boardmember Frank Liles asks why mixed-use bldg on Old 41 is so close to the road. Arnold says came at wish of city to create urban feel.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:34:33 PM
That roundabout could go in during current downtown redevelopment process.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:31:59 PM
City would partner with developer to put a roundabout at Dean St. and Old 41 Rd.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:31:09 PM
Project is hoping to move forward in early spring, Arnold says. Developer said he hopes to start construction in March.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:28:55 PM
The potential public kayak slip would be at the north side of Oak Creek near the proposed commercial building, Arnold says.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:25:25 PM
Developer would also provide public stormwater mgmt from Dean St. and potentially a traffic circle at Dean St., Arnold says.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:22:47 PM
Project would also provide a public river access to Oak Creek, Arnold says. The river abuts the southwest corner of the property.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:21:58 PM
Project will provide street-side parking, Arnold says.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:19:19 PM
Arnold says most of the things around the project will likely change, with exception of Shangri-La Resort and elementary school.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:17:59 PM
Wayne Arnold, planner w/ GradyMinor for applicant: This project is obviously an important one for Bonita, it's in your redevelopment area.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:15:49 PM
This project includes 2 mixed-use bldgs, 10 residential bldgs, clubhouse & 12,000 sf of commercial space. Also would mean moving Dixie Moon.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:09:59 PM
Starting with the Preserve at Oak Creek: request to rezone to allow for or a 273-unit gated community at SE corner of Old 41 Rd & Dean St

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:07:54 PM
Here are 2 of the 3 cases we'll hear this morning: naplesnews.com/community/bann… http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWRZVMCWEAEMnVN.jpg

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:05 PM
And we have adjourned. I'll have something later.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 4:21:25 PM
Mayors will meet 12 times in 2016 for a similar workshop. That means each city will host two meetings. Today was the first one of this kind.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 4:20:05 PM
Refresher: City wants downtown location for new library, county wants it in place of old one. But city mgr has said sides are coming closer.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 4:02:48 PM
Nelson says he's looking for resolution from county re library in Bonita because "it's taking too long."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 4:01:17 PM
Nelson also says city is planting trees "like crazy."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 3:59:35 PM
Nelson re downtown project: This was not easy to get approved. And jokes:"You would've thought we're building a nuclear reactor down there."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 3:59:01 PM
Bonita Mayor Ben Nelson now talking about downtown redevelopment project. "We finally are getting it done."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 3:56:24 PM
Ruane: "And that's why you hear some of that anxiety at MPO meetings." He wants more communication btwn municipalities and county re issue.

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 3:36:00 PM
Ruane tells Hammond walkable communities issue is intertwined w/ county needs. "And we're not communicating with you."

by PatJRiley via twitter 12/9/2015 3:34:56 PM