Housing Project Rezoning BlessedEstero on the River OK'd for 181 more units By Denise L. Scott Estero on the River is one step closer to reality on 85 acres at the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and Corkscrew Road in Estero. Lee County Hearing Examiner Richard A. Gescheidt issued a report Tuesday recommending county approval of rezoning for the project, which includes residential, retail, office and cultural uses. Gescheidt also recommended approval of 181 bonus density units, for which developer J.E.D. of Southwest Florida Inc. chose to pay a cash contribution of more than $2 million. J.E.D. also will offer 10 percent of the total approved project units to qualified moderate-income eligible families for initial sales. J.E.D. Vice President Andy D'Jamoos said a tentative date to go before county commissioners for final approval has been set for 9:30 a.m., June 4. "We're just really delighted the planning staff saw our vision and agreed with us," D'Jamoos said. "We're happy the (hearing) examiner seemed to appreciate what we presented to him. "We're looking forward to our opportunity to get in front of county commissioners. It's been a very positive last few months. We want to keep that going." If approved, the project will have a maximum of 530 residential units in a village atmosphere with 300,000 square feet of commercial space. It also will provide a permanent home for the Gulfshore Playhouse professional theater. Gescheidt noted in his report Estero on the River has had no public opposition. "Rather, it enjoys a significant amount of public support for its development," he said. Gescheidt said the project complies with numerous principles of the county's smart growth plan. "Somebody's got to be a leader and meet the goals of smart growth — try to slow down sprawl and give other opportunities so you don't have to move out east," D'Jamoos said. "I think it's a win-win for everybody." Kristen Coury, founder and producing artistic director of Gulfshore Playhouse, said the hearing examiner's recommendation is wonderful. "It's been a long process," she said. "I'm delighted we're getting to the point of telling donors it's a done deal." Coury said she is waiting until after final approval to start raising the estimated $20 million to build the 40,000-square-foot theater for which J.E.D. donated the land. The theater will include a main-stage, black-box theater, educational wing and offices. "You don't want to build a theater half way," Coury said. "You want people to come to a place where they feel |