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Masters House Painting Project

The 2020 painting project has been launched. This is an exciting initiative as we are looking at introducing new house color schemes.

We will form two working groups; an aesthetics working group, responsible for color selection, approvals and homeowner sign-off; and an operations working group, responsible for preparing houses for painting, the bid process and painting through to the distribution of the leftover paint.

We are launching our project now to allow the working groups ample time to prepare during the off-season and be ready to hit the road running when the next season starts. It’s early, but we wanted to get a head start on the significant effort required to be ready for the start of painting in the fall of 2020.

The working teams will be guided and supported by the Masters ARC Committee, with two Committee members serving as working group leaders. The leaders are:

  • Aesthetics – Pat Becker with assistance from Sue Plummer.
  • Operations – Ellen Hedlund with assistance from Ric Ellis. 

We need three or four volunteers for each working group. Please let us know by May 1, 2019, if you are interested. Your participation is key to our success.

The Aesthetics working group is expected to commence preliminary investigations over the summer and by year-end having a good indication of our new color palettes. Their work is anticipated to wind up by April 2020. If you are interested in serving on this working group, please contact Pat at pabecker51@gmail.com

The Operations working group will also commence preliminary investigations over the summer. We expect the busy period to be next year. Heather Keel from Cambridge Property Management will assist the team. If you are interested in serving on this working group, please contact Ellen at ellen.p.hedlund@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

Dikran Ohannessian

Masters ARC Committee

Special Request: Food Stamp Issue

Jean and Frank Lee have discovered that toilet paper is not considered a necessary item to be purchased with food stamps.

Those who are willing to contribute packages of toilet paper for distribution to the Interfaith Charity, may leave the packages at the Lee’s doorstep at: 21764 Masters Circle.

Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Pelican Sound REVISIONS – ARC Guidelines & Procedures

An NVR meeting is being called to vote on the most recent revisions to the ARC Guidelines and Procedures (attached) which were approved by the Board of Directors on February 14, 2019.  This meeting is being called for Tuesday, April 9th at 2:30pm, just before the April Board Workshop. 

I am polling the community to determine if you wish to approve these revisions.

Although the document is long the changes are detailed in red ink.

Click here to view the document

I suggest your main interest may focus on the Landscape section on pages 15-17.

YOUR BOARD IS RECOMMENDING THAT YOU VOTE   NO

Please do not hesitate to contact me or other board members with any questions.

Your response before April 7th would be appreciated. 

Bill Ellis

239-390-1855

If replying by email, please send to info@masters33928.us

The DR/GR – What it is and why you should care about it

Article by Scotty Wood circulated by Estero Council of Community Leaders

DR/GR stands for Density Reduction / Groundwater Resource.
It is a large area of land (over 80,000 acres) just east of Estero that was established jointly in 1990 by the State of Florida and Lee County with the specific purpose of protecting the principal water supply for most of Southwest Florida, including both Estero and Bonita Springs as well as Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and areas of Naples.
The density reduction name refers to how land was to be developed in this precious natural area – only one home per 20 acres of land.

What is happening?
For several years, the five person Lee County Board of County Commissioners has encouraged development of the DR/GR, alleging that development will not harm the groundwater resource property. Developers have successfully lobbied the Board and produced so-called scientific studies that support a pro-development position.


Studies done by several independent agencies, including FGCU, show just the opposite effect, predicting that development in the DR/GR could cause it to lose its ability to safely collect rainwater, leach it down to the main aquifers that store our water, and thereby permanently harm our water supply. Not to even mention the adverse effect on our wildlife habitat, of which the DR/GR is a principal part.

The Lee County Commissioners have quietly pursued development which has lacked transparency and now seek to eliminate something called MAP 14, which defines the area and restricts development. The effect of this would be to open lime rock mining and development in this precious area. Lime rock mining is one of the harshest forms of activity that a land area can experience. They allege that Lime Rock supplies are dwindling and new mines need to be opened. Again, independent studies note that there are adequate supplies of Lime Rock for at least 25 years.

Is the DR/GR area being developed?
Yes, there are new developments under construction or pending that total 4,450 units that directly impact the DR/GR area. Pepperland Ranch plans 700 homes, The Place at Estero is already building 1,325 homes, and Wild Blue has started another 1,000 units. Verdana approval is pending for another 1,425 units. Drive seven miles east on Corkscrew Road past I-75 and see for yourself. The one home per 20 acres is being replaced by much denser construction, as many as 12 homes per acre. This does not include all impervious surfaces, roads, parking lots, etc. nor does it include the commercial, educational, and retail development that will be necessary to support all the residential construction.

Why should you care?
Your water supply is at risk – traffic is at risk – public safety is at risk but, unfortunately, the Village of Estero has no authority to regulate this reckless development in unincorporated Lee County to our immediate east. Since Corkscrew Road is the principal access/egress, we are the victims, not the benefactors.

What can you do?
Write the Lee County Commissioners and demand that they stop development of the DR/GR and maintain Map 14 development restrictions that preserve and protect our water supply. Attend their meetings and voice your concern. They meet at 9:30am on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Lee County Building in Downtown Fort Myers. There is always a public input opportunity required by law.
The Commissioners and their contact info are:

  1. John Manning      239-533-2224          Dist1@leegov.com
  2. Cecil Pendergrass 239-533-2227           Dist2@leegov.com
  3. Larry Kiker            239-533-2223          Dist3@leegov.com
  4. Brian Hamman     239-533-2226          Dist4@leegov.com
  5. Frank Mann         239-533-2225           Dist5@leegov.com

The developers have very, very deep pockets, so a grass roots public campaign must occur – you are urged to share this information as widely as possible. Many Estero communities have launched efforts like this to inform the public and urge public action.

submitted by Marcy Holtz – 3/29/2019

Farewell to the 2019 Masters Bocce Season

Don, Ben, and I thank you all for participating with your great spirit of friendly competition. We each got to know each a little better.

It was really nice as I went around after the playoffs yesterday to see that it didn’t matter if you were competing for first place or next to last place you still wanted to win during the game but afterwards win or lose you were happy and appreciative of your team and the other team.

Hats off to the captains that made all this work!

Terry Mountford

Voting Brief – 2019 Annual Meeting – Articles & Bylaws and new Board Members

The Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for the Masters at Pelican Sound Neighborhood Association passed overwhelmingly at the recent Annual Meeting, receiving 63 out of 73 of those voting, in person or by proxy.  The vote represents an 86% approval of the document revisions.

The two open seats for the Masters Board of Directors will be filled by Dikran Ohannessian and Don Jancin.

Pam Venosa – Board Vice President