ESTERO —
Estero will have to wait to taste the beers of the world.
Area officials aren’t ready to allow stand-alone bars – and residents may not change their mind.
A land use change that could have paved the way for The World of Beer to open at Coconut Point mall by early next year – or even sooner – is a no-go after so many residents opposed it.
Now, stand-alone bars are banned in Estero, meaning the only ones allowed have to be tied to restaurants. The ban is included in Lee County’s comprehensive plan, which sets the rules for future growth and development.
At a meeting Monday of the Estero Community Planning Panel, most residents said they had no interest in lifting the ban, even if it was just for the World of Beer, a growing Florida franchise that sells more than 500 beers from around the globe.
Many residents felt that by allowing the bar to come to Estero, it would open up the door for others. Estero resident Nick Batos described a proposal to make a quick land use change as unfair.
While attracting new businesses to the community is important, he said economic development shouldn’t take precedence over the quality of life in Estero.
“People don’t want this,” he said.
Residents, he said, are crying out, “Not this time. Not here.”
Dan Dronkers, another Estero resident, complained that there was already too many accidents on the road without this kind of bar. He questioned whether World of Beer would really make a big difference to the mall’s owner, Simon Property Group.
“I don’t see Coconut Point going out of business,” he said. “They seem to be doing well economically.”
The Estero Community Planning Panel has been talking about the proposed rule change for a couple of months to allow World of Beer to come to Coconut Point. Representatives from the franchise and Simon Property Group sought the change.
There’s a comprehensive plan amendment proposed for the University Highlands development near Miromar Outlets, which is scheduled for adoption by Lee County commissioners on Oct. 18. The change to the rules for stand-alone bars in Estero could have been attached to that amendment. But the panel has dropped that idea and instead will wait to discuss any changes to its community plan at a meeting next month.
Al Moscato, representing the University Highlands development, said the developer didn’t want the change allowing some bars attached to its amendment. He said the developer had worked hard to get community support and didn’t plan to have a stand-alone bar as part of its mixed-used project.
The proposed change would have only allowed free-standing bars in developments of regional impact, or DRIs, with at least 400,000 square feet of approved commercial uses in Estero. It would have required that the bars be at least 500 feet from homes located outside the boundary of the DRI.
Mike Roeder, an attorney representing Simon Property Group, argued the decision on World of Beer was “time critical,” saying that if Amendment 4 passes in the upcoming election such a land use change would not be possible without a countywide vote.
Now, it can take 12 to 18 months to get a comprehensive plan amendment approved. Opponents of Amendment 4 say it could drag the approval out even longer.
Bill Parker, who lives in West Bay Club, stood up to say that at least some of the residents in his community would support lifting the ban on bars. A quick e-mail poll found 60 percent were opposed to it and 40 percent favored it.
One resident at West Bay Club complained that when her children come to visit they’re bored and have to drive to Fort Myers Beach, adding that “nightlife is what Estero needs,” as long as it’s controlled. Another resident plans to move to Naples because there is no entertainment, Parker said.
Jack Lienesch, chairman of the Estero Community Planning Panel, said he was flooded by e-mails in opposition of allowing any stand-alone bars.
More than 60 people came to the planning meeting. Usually, few residents attend the advisory group’s meetings.
Dan DeLisi, a member of the planning panel, wanted World of Beer to come to Coconut Point, but he understood the community’s concerns about making any quick decisions and how they might hurt the community in the future.
“World of Beer, it’s going to be tough for them to come,” he said. “It’s sad. I would have loved to have them here.”
Connect with Laura Layden at www.naplesnews.com/staff/laura_layden.
