Let's stop this school nonsense on S. Bayshore
This is the property, and house, in question, at the 1621 S. Bayshore Drive location, where the proposed school wants to set up shop. Imagine if you wanted to move your business to a nice neighborhood, picture your widgets factory or car dealership moving to the North or South Grove, in that nice shiny house up on the hill. Well, that is what's being asked here.
A lady, Joan Rodriguez, who owns a school in another area of the county (1414 Coral Way) has decided that she wants to move it to Coconut Grove, which is great, but she has chosen a residential area in the Grove and is bringing her 100 students with her. I don't get the concept of taking a business from a business district and just going house hunting in an elegant neighborhood and deciding that that is where the business/school will go.
Next door to the property in question is a nice large plantation house, which you can see below. What is to stop the school from expanding to the plantation house if they happened to move in next door? Next to that right now, is a law firm that is in another plantation house. And by the way, the property on the other side of the 1621 property is for sale, so what is to stop the school for buying that up, too, and taking over the block?
This school does not belong in this North Grove neighborhood. It is not zoned for it. And there is no need for it. It's all an idea based on selfishness. Some people feel that Grovites are closed-minded and have a NIMBY (not in my back yard) attitude. But the property is NOT zoned for a school or business. That should be the end of discussion. The city needs to stop accepting special zoning requests for stupid reasons. What next, a 7-11 to accommodate the students on the lot off of Micanopy behind the school?
For those of you who think we are being unkind to the school, perhaps you can email me a list of houses for sale on your block and we can send the school there. Since you think it's such a good thing for the area.
Please make plans to attend the Planning and Zoning hearing on Wednesday, June 6 to stop this nonsense. The meeting is at 6:30 pm at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).
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posted by Tom Falco at 1:11 PM
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8 Comments:
It's all part of Jebbie's devious plan.
Privatize and set up shop ( for profit, or religion) at a house next door.
Who's sorry now? All you Repubs who are falling for the attempt to destroy Public Education.
If your a Republican, be careful what you ask for.........
Dear Neighbors,
I am writing to introduce you to Village Montessori Day School and our new home-style school, soon to be located at 1621 South Bayshore Drive. Village Montessori Day School is an accredited member of The American Montessori Society. We provide an authentic Montessori Education program. Unlike daycare and some modern systems, the Montessori Method focuses on the natural development of the child.
It does not utilize artificial environments or over-stimulating play activities to keep children occupied. As a result, the school is a peaceful environment of focused supervised activity with limited enrollment.
You may recognize the address as the residence of MS Margaret McLaughlin – a life-long educator. MS McLaughlin’s parents, also educators, lived in the home before her! This beautiful residence dates back to 1921. Fortunately for the community, most aspects of the structure remain as they did back then. Margaret has actually declined offers to purchase this property from developers with plans to build 3 or more large homes so that she could see “a home of education” take her place in the property.
Our first goal is to preserve the integrity of this historic home and the natural beauty of the grounds. The exterior structure of the home will remain much as it does now, with only minor changes to accommodate safety and ADA requirements. The interior of the home will receive minor renovation that will insure a clean and safe environment for learning while we maintain its residential feel. The grounds will remain green space with natural play areas rather than traditional “playgrounds” and the parking plan is simply to utilize parking spaces with enhanced green mesh parking system that allows grass to grow in this area rather than the existing black-top. In front a circular drive of the same material will accommodate the limited and staggered pick up and drop off of the children in the morning and early afternoon. Traffic to and from the school will be one-directional from and returning to South bound Bayshore with no impact on the residential community behind the school.
Village Montessori plans to operate mainly from 9-3 Monday through Friday with few students in early care and after care. The capacity of the existing structure is 48 children with plans of expansion to cap 100 children; ages 3 months through 12 years of age. The grounds will remain a quiet park-like setting after hours and on weekends so that we maintain the integrity of the residential neighborhood.
We currently own and operate a school located at 1414 Coral way. The response to our pure approach to Montessori education has been heartwarming. The school has a substantial waiting list. Our community is asking us to provide even more peaceful spaces and learning environments for their children. That is why we are particularly excited about this new location.
We also live in the neighborhood at Crystal View Court – less than a mile from the school. As neighbors we are concerned that we provide a very high quality experience for our children as well as the neighbors around us.
We are dedicated to the highest standards as we contribute to a peaceful, caring and verdant world, one child at a time.
We look forward to meeting you soon.
Sincerely, Joan Rodriguez Malone; Director
Really? First we are comparing schools to widget factories and car dealerships and now we are turning this into a political issue?
I respectfully disagree with you and the writer of this blog.
You heard it here folks. 100 kids. Before you know it, they will be asking for 300 kids. And then 500 kids. Just look what happend at Ransom Everglades Middle School. It started as 40 kids many, many years ago. Preserve the neighborhood and keep it residential. Make your voice heard on June 6 at 6:30 at City Hall. Isn't democracy grand?
What' wrong with Ransom? I think it's a great school.
I vote for education.
I like education, too, but no need to land-grab residential homes. Stay on Coral Way.
I think this is going to be great for the community. Welcome to the neighborhood!
The whole "its for the kids" excuse gets old after a while. They may run a school, but keep in mind they're profiting from it.
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