Estero community forum highlights traffic, growth, and solutions

ESTERO, Fla. (WINK)—Few seats were empty at Tuesday night's public forum in Estero, with each spot filled by residents voicing concerns about the community's growth and infrastructure.

Traffic emerged as a major issue. One resident described sitting in traffic for 15 minutes just to get onto Interstate 75.

Developers also raised concerns about additional fees they must pay as part of the area's infrastructure challenges. Corkscrew Road became a hot topic during the forum.

While the road runs through Estero, Estero Village Manager Steven Sarkozy said it is Lee County's responsibility. To address road concerns, Estero and the county would need to work together, with a possible sales tax as one solution.

"One of the issues is possibly a sales tax that would apply to everyone and devote back that to specific projects, a sales tax that really of it is that it gets a lot of the snowbirds and they are part of our problem," Sarkozy said.

The Village of Estero says 4,500 people live in the area year-round. Add 2,000 more during season, creating increased traffic and greater community needs.

"The county, frankly, has other, many other, dozens of other desperately needed situations, and we're talking with them on how to step up to some of those issues, because there's just no easy answer," Sarkozy said.

These conversations are what the group Engage Estero hopes to help shape their future. Other hot topics at the forum included a new charter school being built, new neighborhoods underway and medical facilities.

More questions and answers from the meeting are expected to be posted on the Engage Estero website.