The land-use change was sent to various state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Transportation, for approval in May. The state OK’d the project with a suggestion for stronger wetland protections.
There are a few acres of “high- and medium-quality wetlands” on the site, and village officials want to preserve what is left, Community Development Director Mary Gibbs said. The site has more spots of “low-quality wetlands” that flourished years ago. The source flowways were cut off after Interstate 75 was built decades ago, and the wetlands deteriorated to what they are today.
Parts of the school grounds will be open for public use in exchange for removing the low-quality wetlands. No details are in place, but it could mean public parks or athletic fields.
/ Loggerhead Turtle Track on Sanibel Island
We are all connected by the environment we share. The Earth is our home. This is the space where we share the environmental stories that caught our attention this week in Florida and beyond.
FLORIDA:
It’s sea turtle nesting season! If you’re spending the Memorial Day weekend at the beach, be sure to share the beach. Remember to leave their nests alone, and don’t shine light on the beach that means avoid using your cell phone and flashlight. This is what the nests will look like on the beach:
Courtesy FWC Flickr
Private businesses are not affected by the ruling and can still require masks for entry.
Councilor Jesse Purdon said the city is following the state decisions.
“I feel like the majority of folks are ready to move forward,” Purdon said. “One piece of that is being open to everything.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order earlier this month that will outlaw local mask mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions beginning July 1.
This would include Estero, as employees are required to wear masks in Village Hall, spokeswoman Marilyn Edwards said. The Estero Village Council also requires all councilors and attendees to wear masks at public meetings. The public microphone is disinfected after every public comment.
Estero Village Council’s push to put a traffic signal on Corkscrew Road near Interstate 75 faced another hiccup as construction costs jumped nearly $363,000 from a cost estimate less than a year ago.
Residents have pushed for a traffic light near Corkscrew Woodlands Boulevard for years. It would eliminate left turns from Corkscrew Road in and out of the residential street. A 23-year-old woman was killed in a crash at the intersection in April 2018, and people have called it a danger.
Lee County is responsible for building a signal on Puente Lane east of the intersection. Village Council thought the process was taking too long and fronted about $770,000 in January to hasten the process. The payment was based on an estimate given by a project engineer in July 2020.