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This is a recent email from Al Meyer to Grandezza members:
To: all Grandezza October 13, 2008
To better understand issues in current Landscape Buffer Project, the following residents endorse and suggest you review the attached document entitled “Issues and Answers”. The document is comprised of a set of sixteen questions accompanied by factual, straight-forward answers.
Avalon: Stan Saucke
Cypress Cove “A”: Carl M. Clark, John McCarthy, Jim Harvey (President, Cypress Cove HOA)
Cypress Cove “B”: Dave Ruehlman
Grande Estates: Alan & Carole Ann Levi, Lanell Shields (President, Grande Estates HOA)
Oakwood: Ed Grusch, Al Meyer (member, GNC Board)
Santa Lucia: Ben Roth (member, GNC Board)
Sabal Palm: Ken Keyes
Saraceno: Carlos Perosio (President, Saraceno HOA)
Savona: Bob Jurczyk, Don Kazawic (member, Savona Board), Mark Edwards (President, Savona HOA)
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration,
Al Meyer
Member of the Grandezza Neighborhood Council (2005 – 2007)
Member of the Grandezza Master HOA (2006 & 2007)
MEYER815@aol.com
GRANDEZZA Landscape Buffer Project
Issues and Answers
(sixteen questions: funding, unprotected borders, buffer cost)
1. Where did the funds come from to construct landscape buffers?
As a result of the efforts of the Grandezza Neighborhood Council (GNC) and assistance obtained from Lee County Commissioners, Stock Development (dba “FDP” ) agreed to pay one million dollars to the Grandezza Master HOA.
These funds were a result of Stock selling the Trevi land parcel including northern Grandezza boundary property to Lee County for construction of Estero Parkway Extension (EPE) roadway located on northern and eastern boundaries (between Savona and Grande Estates & Solemar ).
2. Were funds pledged by home owners in 2006 GNC Fund Drive intended to pay for legal fees, Handover issues, and money to help ensure Grandezza boundaries were not left unprotected?
Yes.
Pledges totaling more than $67,000 were from individual home owner donations to be used for legal representations in negotiations with Stock and Lee County officials on the following issues:
(1) Handover/ Ownership to the Grandezza Master HOA
(2) Any required construction of landscaped buffers of unprotected boundaries between roadways and Grandezza residences & golf course.
(3) And other critical ongoing Grandezza community issues.
3. It has been said the Estero Parkway Extension ( EPE ) will never be built. Is that correct?
No.
At this very time, the first stage of EPE is nearing completion to Ben Hill Griffin. Lee County DOT Plan includes completion of EPE around and through Grandezza to Corkscrew Road. Timing will depend on available funding from a combination of private and/or public funds. It is clear that FGCU wants EPE constructed. Accelerating EPE road construction can also be funded by developers of neighboring Miromar and Ginn property land developers located to north and east of Grandezza.
4. Why spend money now if these roads will be built some years out?
Actually Grandezza’ Landscape Buffer Project has already begun. Earlier this year, the Master HOA Board approved a request from Villa Grande to improve their northern boundary by initiating a “pilot” program and authorized these same funds to pay for landscaping buffer because their developer ( Empire ) left it unimproved.
With that project successfully completed the Master HOA Board formally requested plans from other Grandezza neighborhoods (with exposed borders) to proceed with their landscape buffer projects.
The strategy was to utilize current depressed market conditions to minimize landscaping costs and to allow plants to mature BEFORE road construction would commence.
By planting now significant savings can be achieved. Current market costs have come in at less than 25% of the available funds for the entire eastern and northern border of Grandezza including impacted boundary of Savona.
5. If buffers are planted now prior to knowing where the roads will be built won’t our plantings be subject to damage from road construction?
No.
We have had our property line surveyed and all plantings will be within Grandezza’s boundaries. There should be no intrusion to threaten our plants. Should the county damage plants they would have to replace them.
6. Should we allow some Grandezza neighborhoods install buffers while others may not choose to or have plans to?
Yes.
Several months ago, each neighborhood with exposed borders was invited to submit plans to protect borders. If a neighborhood for some reason chooses not to participate, that is their decision. That should not arbitrarily preclude other impacted neighborhoods from protecting their borders.
7. Will home owner fees be increased to pay for maintenance of these buffers?
No.
It is expected that the ongoing earned-interest from remaining balance of funds (over $750,000) will more than offset buffer maintenance costs.
8. Will this buffer project have any impact on property values of Grandezza neighborhoods that do not have exposed borders?
Yes.
Property values are affected for the entire community (all of Grandezza) when negative questions arise about community border integrity and roadway intrusion. Neighborhoods without borders is a true negative.
Prospective buyers will look to other communities with protected borders.
9. How much will it cost to buffer all exposed borders and is one million dollars enough?
Yes.
As stated earlier, the entire project cost will be less than $ 250,000.
10. Should we wait and let our one million dollars grow interest so when roads are constructed we have more money for larger buffers?
No.
Waiting will substantial increase costs as larger plants would be required. Waiting also results in the continuation of this issue going unanswered causing potential buyers to move to communities without exposed borders.
11. Does building buffers even matter if there will be a Fly-over?
Yes.
The Fly-over segment represents less than 10% of the exposed boundaries. There is much more land in this area for the County and Grandezza to plant larger trees to help mitigate the sight line of the Fly-over once it’s exact location is determined.
12. Will delaying buffer construction negatively impact Grandezza property values?
Yes.
As stated earlier any negative issue of this magnitude will certainly concern potential buyers. They will buy in communities with protected borders.
13. It has been said there is little space in some areas to build a buffer. Can buffers be built around the entire unprotected area?
Yes.
There is sufficient room to complete the entire project in all unprotected areas. The plan has been designed with specific plant types for each area.
14. It has been mentioned that road projects are not presently funded and could be delayed for some time. Could something change to make the roads a more pressing issue?
Yes.
Lee County DOT staff is adamant that EPE must be built from Ben Hill through Grandezza to Corkscrew Road. Current road funds are limited. However, FGCU has also publicly stated that EPE must be built to provide a backdoor entrance to the University. A combination of county, State, and federal funds together with land developer funds could accelerate construction of EPE through Grandezza to Corkscrew Road.
In a struggling economy, advanced funding of road construction projects ahead of schedule may be a reality. Since Grandezza residents can only control our property, it is in Grandezza’ s best interest to move forward and protect our borders We must build buffers now so when road construction commences we will have a strong and vibrant landscape buffer.
15. After buffers are planted what happens to balance of the funds?
Fund balance will remain in a Master HOA interest-bearing account.
16. Are county permits required for us to landscape these buffers?
No.
Because these plantings are on Grandezza property and are not in road right-of-way permits are not required. The plantings that have been selected are commonly seen throughout Lee County.
Issue date: October 12, 2008
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