Home
Our Mission
Reconnecting Lee County is an informal association of private and public sector individuals focused on connecting communities through a range of transportation and transit-oriented development options to accommodate future growth through a strong and sustainable economy and a well-protected natural environment.
 The Challenge
Imagine Lee County with 600,000 more people and our roads with that many more cars.
Imagine the increase in taxes, impact fees, tolls and the cost of doing business just to pay to build and maintain all those roads.
Imagine the destruction that a vast array of new roads will cause to the natural environment, one of the main reasons that people choose to relocate their businesses and families here.
Imagine a quality of life harmed each day by excess pollution and traffic congestion.
Each of us can play an active role in changing these outcomes into something much better—an attractive, enduring Lee County where people of all walks of life enjoy a comfortable sense of place. Creative thinking can bring a more prosperous tomorrow. We invite you to participate in our quest for workable solutions to create a better Lee County.
Click here to view our current list of priorities and contact us to get involved. Together, we can make a difference.
How to Use this Website
The Reconnecting Lee County website is intended as a resource for developers, builders, bankers, realtors, planners, government officials and others interested in diverse transportation modes and transit-oriented development and redevelopment ideas for Lee County. Reconnectinglee.org is committed to providing:
1) Resources for those interested in how this mission might fit their professional agenda.
2) A focal point for individuals to share their ideas on shifting Lee County's planning paradigm.
3) A forum for an exchange of ideas and information on related topics.
We have organized the information, articles and presentations around a series of target topics listed here. Simply click on whichever topic interests you. 
Laws, Regs, Codes
Future Population
Lee County Communities
For a brief overview of these target topic areas, click here.
We want to hear your ideas and input so that together we can shape a better future for Lee County. If you have a question or would like to share an article or other information, please contact us.
Upcoming Hearing--Long Range Transportation Plan
The Metropolitan Planning Organization Board will hold a public hearing at it’s May 14, 2010 meeting to review and approve the Public Participation Plan for the Long Range Transportation Plan Update and to review and approve the FY 2010/2011 and FY 2011/2012 Unified Planning Work Program. The public hearing will be held at 1:30 pm at the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council offices at 1926
Victoria,
Fort Myers,
FL
33901. You can view the Public Participation Plan for the Long Range Transportation Plan at: http://www.mpo-swfl.org/LRTP/content/Draft_LRTP_PIP.pdf. The FY 2010/2011 and FY 2011/12 Unified Planning Work Program can be viewed at: http://www.mpo-swfl.org/content/PR/UPWP.pdf. Please send all comments to Ms. Meghan Marion by May 13, 2010 so that they can be presented at the May 14, 2010 MPO Board meeting. You can submit them by email to mmarion@swfrpc.orgor by mail at Lee County MPO,
1926 Victoria Avenue,
Fort Myers,
FL
33901.
All meetings of the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are open to the public. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Ms. Meghan Marion at the Lee MPO 48 hours prior to the meeting by calling (239) 338-2550 x 219; if you are hearing or speech impaired call (800) 955-8770 Voice / (800) 955-8771 TDD. Or, e-mail mmarion@swfrpc.org
The MPO’s planning process is conducted in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes. Any person or beneficiary who believes he/she has been discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or familial status may file a complaint with the Florida Department of Transportation District One Title VI Coordinator Robin Parrish at (863) 519-2675 or by writing her at P.O. Box 1249, Bartow, Florida 33831.
Reconnecting Lee County Statement of Neutrality
Reconnecting Lee County (RLC) takes no position on matters involving the development of particular parcels of privately-owned property, the election of specific persons to public office, or other matters which may be viewed as advancing the interests of specific individuals or private property owners or furthering any partisan political cause or agenda. Similarly, RLC takes no position in opposition to or support of specific applications for zoning approval and other entitlement requests. To the extent that the public agenda, which RLC does support, may conflict with or favor these other private or political interests, such a result is purely coincidental. Our guiding principle is this: “We leave our cases and our clients at the door when we enter into an RLC discussion or event.” No person can join RLC or remain a member of it without strict adherence to this position of neutrality.
Background
When Lee County leaders approved the current comprehensive plan (Lee Plan) nearly 25 years ago, the greatest visionaries among them would have been hard-pressed to predict either the astronomical growth that occurred in the early 2000s or the recent equally dramatic halt to new construction and decline in the global economy.
The original Lee plan envisioned a diverse metropolitan community with clearly defined areas for urban and suburban living. Yet the growth pattern that emerged has been mainly disconnected suburban patterns, resulting in long commutes to jobs, shopping, and entertainment. With the projected population growth in the years ahead, Lee County will encounter serious cost and quality-of-life problems that couldn't have been imagined 25 years ago. Our metropolitan area is not alone in facing these kinds of change; many rapid-growth cities and counties are facing similar problems.
Few want Lee County to replicate planning mistakes made by other high-growth Florida counties. Today's sluggish economy makes this an opportune moment to rethink and perhaps reinvent Lee County's planning model. Early in 2009, some of those involved in drafting the original Lee Plan and others with related planning interests began to discuss how to shift Lee County toward a paradigm where there are multiple opportunities--walkable urban communities, suburban communities with more transportation options, and communities where a rural lifestyle is preserved. Reconnecting Lee County was born out of these discussions.
What a state rail system could mean in SW Florida NewsPress
by Better Parker
Graphic illustrations within masthead are courtesy of Dover, Kohl & Partners
|
|
July 8th Reconnecting Lee County to be held at 2:30pm in the DCD Public Works Conference room, 1500 Monroe Street, Fort Myers (first floor)
At least for the summer, the consensus is to convene our meetings every two weeks, rather than every week, beginning with July 8th. At our July 8th meeting, we will vote whether to continue to meet at 2:30pm or to move the meeting to 3:00pm. If you cannot attend but wish to vote, please email MerriBeth Farnham at mfarnham@hdprgroup.com by 2:30 Thursday so that your voice is heard.
We hope to see you on the 8th as representatives of Florida Weekly will be on hand to give us an update on their growing influence throughout Southwest Florida.
There WILL BE a steering committee meeting at 12:30 on July 8th at the offices of Fowler White in downtown Fort Myers.
Long Range Transportation Plan Needed
FDOT is currently completing their 2060 transportation plan. This is a prime opportunity to provide input on the livability issues connected to transportation. Support for TOD projects, rail, policies that support complete streets, and a focus on safety are at issue. This is the opportunity to move transportation planning from an autocentric and mobility focus to a vision based on access as the primary goal of transportation.
The 2060 FTP identifies the goals, objectives, and strategies to address the long-term needs of the state transportation system and to guide the expenditure of federal, state, and local transportation funds. The FTP enables partners to work together when making decisions affecting the transportation safety, security, preservation, and mobility needs of our state.
A regional workshop will be held in Fort Myers on 6/8 from 1:30-4pm. For more information, click here.
Local Design Competition Winner Announced -- And the Winner Is...
EnSite Inc., in collaboration with Matt Horton of Element 3designworks, and with support from Chris Ressler of Architecture, Inc., was awarded First Place overall, First Place by the design professionals committee, and First Place by the finance committee with their Terry Station submittal. The entire team is honored to win this award and looks forward to Transit Oriented Development (TOD), infill, redevelopment, and urban renewal opportunities in southwest Florida.
To view the entire submittal and the award ceremony, visit
http://www.en-site.com/ensiteful_news_bits.php#design_competition
This was a site specific competition for a location within the City of Fort Myers near Terry Park.
This competition was overseen by the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (RPC) for Lee County Smart Growth. Reconnecting Lee County is pleased to be in the company of Lee County, the City of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University as a sponsor.
Our congratulations to the Ensite team!
McGregor Captures Commuter Rail Concept
As we continue our conversations with the NewsPress, and as the legislature gears up for a special session about high speed rail, Doug McGregor captures SW Florida's desire to be involved.
Bike Walk Lee is Blogging
Bike Walk Lee continues its efforts to promote complete streets in Lee County. Their vision of walkable, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly neighborhoods is perfect complement to Reconnecting Lee County's vision for more transit-oriented neighborhoods.
|
|
|