Village Council Candidates Forum - Rachel Cardello
RACHEL CARDELLO
GRAPEVINE: Why do you feel you would be a good Village Council Member?
RACHEL: For the past twelve years, my focus has been growing a successful architecture practice in Miami. From this experience, I have a high understanding of Miami’s zoning regulations, the City review process and finding common ground with communities. It is team-building, partnering and facilitating that have been the cornerstone of my achievements and most personally rewarding. Now more than ever, Coconut Grove and the Village Council need collaborative individuals with the technical knowledge to protect our community.
G: What would you like to accomplish during your time on the Council? Objectives? Projects?
R: I believe Coconut Grove will continue to see more development projects in our future. My primary object is to make those projects work for the Grove and toward improving our quality of life. I would like to work with the City of Miami to find ways to have impact fees received from developments constructed in our community to be invested more directly back into Coconut Grove. Zoning regulations should be adjusted to encourage the type of housing that is attainable to a greater number of people. This includes those who are the backbone of our community, long-time residents and working class families. Additionally, the zoning codes have the potential, if properly strengthened, to maintain our tree canopy, support our neighborhood scale and preserve the diverse nature of Coconut Grove.
G: What is your favorite part of Coconut Grove?
R: Every day that I go into the center of our community, there is the opportunity to experience something new and extraordinary. On the BID sponsored bike tour I learned why the Barnacle is called the Barnacle and discovered amazing architectural gems. On a lazy Friday evening walk, I shared a bench and live music from the Sailing Club with a Grove “old-timer” where I learned about his life on the water. The passion people have for the Grove and the unique collection of characters are truly my favorite parts of our community.
G: What is your least favorite part of Coconut Grove?
R: Lack of sidewalks. Walking my dog Cody in the street when a shoulder isn’t even provided is unnerving, especially during rush-hour times. When crosswalks are provided, many drivers don’t even acknowledge us patiently waiting. Coconut Grove needs to work with the City to balance the beauty of our tree canopy with the practical need for continuous, safe and shaded pedestrian access throughout the community. A connected green-way of both large and small landscape elements could be the solution and provide another amazing amenity to our village.
G: How long have you lived in the Grove? Where are you from? What drew you here?
R: I grew up in the Catskills of New York in a very rural setting. My husband and I met when studying architecture in Rhode Island and we soon set out for Boston to start our careers. After renovating two antique homes and helping found a non-profit group called Roslindale Green and Clean, we had an opportunity to relocate to Miami. We moved to Coconut Grove in 2007 because we fell in love with the landscape, eclectic architecture and our 1973 courtyard house that we recently renovated from the ground up. We were looking for a community with purpose and personality and found more than we imagined.
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| Rachel Cardello |
G: What would you like to accomplish during your time on the Council? Objectives? Projects?
R: I believe Coconut Grove will continue to see more development projects in our future. My primary object is to make those projects work for the Grove and toward improving our quality of life. I would like to work with the City of Miami to find ways to have impact fees received from developments constructed in our community to be invested more directly back into Coconut Grove. Zoning regulations should be adjusted to encourage the type of housing that is attainable to a greater number of people. This includes those who are the backbone of our community, long-time residents and working class families. Additionally, the zoning codes have the potential, if properly strengthened, to maintain our tree canopy, support our neighborhood scale and preserve the diverse nature of Coconut Grove.
G: What is your favorite part of Coconut Grove?
R: Every day that I go into the center of our community, there is the opportunity to experience something new and extraordinary. On the BID sponsored bike tour I learned why the Barnacle is called the Barnacle and discovered amazing architectural gems. On a lazy Friday evening walk, I shared a bench and live music from the Sailing Club with a Grove “old-timer” where I learned about his life on the water. The passion people have for the Grove and the unique collection of characters are truly my favorite parts of our community.
G: What is your least favorite part of Coconut Grove?
R: Lack of sidewalks. Walking my dog Cody in the street when a shoulder isn’t even provided is unnerving, especially during rush-hour times. When crosswalks are provided, many drivers don’t even acknowledge us patiently waiting. Coconut Grove needs to work with the City to balance the beauty of our tree canopy with the practical need for continuous, safe and shaded pedestrian access throughout the community. A connected green-way of both large and small landscape elements could be the solution and provide another amazing amenity to our village.
G: How long have you lived in the Grove? Where are you from? What drew you here?
R: I grew up in the Catskills of New York in a very rural setting. My husband and I met when studying architecture in Rhode Island and we soon set out for Boston to start our careers. After renovating two antique homes and helping found a non-profit group called Roslindale Green and Clean, we had an opportunity to relocate to Miami. We moved to Coconut Grove in 2007 because we fell in love with the landscape, eclectic architecture and our 1973 courtyard house that we recently renovated from the ground up. We were looking for a community with purpose and personality and found more than we imagined.
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1 Comments:
I will never understand why people that like sidewalks move to the Grove.
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