Master Plan Meeting for Immokalee

Story by Judy Weeks

IMMOKALEE — On Sept. 9, interested members of the Immokalee community gathered at the Casino on Sept. 9 to review the Master Plan. Utilities Director Susie Kippenberger opened the discussion with a little background information on the Master Plan.

“Recognizing the need for future development, it was decided in 1992 that a Master Plan should be implemented,” she said. “By 1994 a conceptual plan had been devised, and finally after much study, input by various agencies of the government and careful consideration of the community’s needs a plan was formulated. On May 18, 2005, the Tribal Council approved the Implementation of the Master Plan.”

Using a color coded aerial survey, the proposed plan was submitted for examination. Russell Danser, Senior Consultant with the Phoenix Environmental Group, informed the assembly that South Florida Water Management, Army Corp of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Com- mission have approved the main road and the existing plans for land usage.

He remarked, “The Master Plan has been designed to have low impact on the environment to allow for an easy permitting process. Threatened and endangered species play a big roll in use of wetlands and the surrounding areas, particularly the panther mitigation issue. The plan you see has been approved in its existing form by the Army Corp of Engineers for the next twenty years.”

Ongoing projects were discussed, beginning with the Administration Building.

Michael Noell, an architect with the Gulf Design Group, stated, “Construction of Phase I of the Administration Building is right on schedule. The exterior stucco is complete, interior walls are being built, site work is nearing an end and the entire project is on budget. Phase II of the Administration Project will house Health and Family Services. The planned two story building will be an iteration of the one at Big Cypress.”

Noell continued, “Phase II is in the documenting stages now. The first floor will provide for Diet Planning, Health, Dental and Pharmaceutical. Family Services, Counseling, and Children’s Services will occupy the second story. The site is going to be filled and the infrastructure will then begin.”

Original plans for the church have been stretched to include seating for 250 people. The church has been placed on a priority status and documents are nearly complete. The project is waiting on a site, then the civil engineers can go to work and hopefully things will be rolling by the first of the year.

Bob McIntire, Designer is working on the preschool and a l9,000 square foot multipurpose building to provide for a community center or banquet hall with cooking facilities. This portion of the project will be designed as a hurricane shelter which can withstand in excess of 150 mph winds.

Immokalee Liaison Raymond Garza asked, “How much higher is the elevation for this planned building? In a bad storm, our entire community is prone to flooding?”

He was assured that the ground level was going to be raised considerably with this thought in mind.

Recreation’s Gary McInturff inquired about a playground and mentioned that Chairman Mitchell Cypress would like to see a fitness trail.

Nancy Motlow asked that some attention be paid to the swampy area near the power line behind her home. The natural flow of water had been interrupted causing a stagnant foal smelling and unhealthy situation. She was told that re-hydration of wetlands was self-mitigating.

McInturff wanted to know what arrangements were being made for a new youth center. Hopefully, it would include a video center, arts and crafts area, stage and kitchen.

Lois Alvarez, on behalf of the President Moses Osceola’s office, addressed the assembly concerning a possible commercial development. She displayed a prospectus of a hotel, gas station with convenience store, restaurant and car wash.

The following discussion included questions about the bingo hall that had been discussed as separate from the casino and the family entertainment center, which was to have included a bowling alley. It was determined that these items had been placed on indefinite hold.

An inquiry was made about a privacy wall and possible gated community. However, it was pointed out that BIA roads must be open to the public in order to qualify for funding.

Additional inquiries were made concerning the rodeo grounds, a swimming pool, Seminole Police Department facility, drainage and housing.

Keith Samuels brought the group up to date on plans for the housing development. Eighty-seven to 88 much needed home sites have been identified and construction on the first 10 residences should begin soon. There were some concerns that home sites were planned for property which was to have been used for the Recreation department and the Youth Center. It was pointed out that housing for the community was critical with many tribal members living off the reservation by necessity rather than choice.

Immokalee Council Liaison Ralph Sanchez showed concern that the Master Plan had been implemented without consulting the community as a whole. He was informed that there is a great deal of flexibility in the plan and nothing is set in stone. All concerns will be taken into consideration.

With regard to housing, Raymond Garza asked, “Do we have the funds?” Samuels replied that everything was in order for the first ten homes and they were awaiting a notice of intent. Bidding was scheduled for December with construction to begin shortly after the first of the year. Lot sizes are approximately 9,000 to 10,000 square feet or about one acre.

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Willard Steele came forward to mention the archeological impact that would be made by the Master Plan. Two Pre-Calusa middens had been identified in the wet lands area and would take approximately a week to evaluate.

There should be low probability of any other sites, but this would have to be determined. He stressed that changing any areas in the Master Plan could upset the government agencies and place all development on hold for an indefinite period. This could be extremely risky and should be considered wisely.

As manager of the Casino and Gaming operation in Immokalee Tony Sanchez addressed the gathering.

“With regard to casino expansion, a second feasibility study has been made and is awaiting review by the Council,” he said. “I feel that it is imperative for the Seminole Tribe to take advantage of the growth in the area. With the opening of the new university in 2007 and the current planned developments in the surrounding parts of the county, it would be foolish to not plan ahead. Opportunity is knocking at our door.”

As a whole the meeting was very informative and constructive. Many individual concerns were addressed and the planners were made aware of the community’s feelings on several issues.