Planning Board defers North Grove school issue

The Planning and Zoning Board meeting to discuss the Montessori school issue, set for Wednesday, June 6, has been postponed. The Planning and Zoning Board is still meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 pm at City Hall, but the school issue is off the agenda for now.

The professional planning staff requested the extra time to explore the issue before it goes before the board.

According to a Miami Herald story, the owner of the school, Joan Rodriguez, is requesting a variance so she can open the school. She plans to add 1100 square fee to the 1900 square foot home which is already on the property, which is just 3/4 of an acre.

Ms. Rodriguez states that "there is a great need [for schools in the area]," so she is asking to rezone a residential property to accommodate this. We could use a few nice upscale restaurants, too, should we put some in next to La Hermitage or Vizcaya and get the properties rezoned for this, also? Maybe a Dunkin' Donuts at Blanche Park, so the dog walkers can get coffee and doughnuts.

While she feels that many people agree with her, we have received many emails here, and not one was in favor of the project.

As for the "anonymous" comments we received in favor of the project, we take "anonymous" comments with a grain of salt. If people were really in favor of the school, they would sign their names. "Anonymous" commenters usually just say blue when you say red and vice versa. We don't take much stock in the anonymous comments.

Blog commenting was removed from these stories as it was getting ugly for no reason. We are not against more schools, more power to them! But put them in commercial and business areas where schools are permitted. Don't ask for variances and zoning changes to accommodate selfish whims. This reminds me so much of the Home Depot issue. If you're not wanted, go away, why be spiteful to prove a point?

Ms. Rodriquez sent me an email stating that if she didn't take over the property and make it a school for 100 children or more, that someone else would buy the land, divide it, and put three houses in. So what? That's sure a hell of a lot less people than a school, plus it's zoned for the single family houses.

We'll let you know when the issue is back on the agenda for a Planning Board meeting.