HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Deborah Dolson-Statement regarding Battersea WoodsStatement by Debbie Dolson
4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
My family has lived in the same house in the South Grove for 47 years, almost a
half century. There are likely many in this room who have lived here even longer.
During the past 47 years, many things have changed in the Grove. CocoWalk and
Mayfair now stand where Bluewater Marine and the Grove Camera Shop used to
be. Jaguar has replaced Krest 5 and 10. Burt's Market is now Lucy's. Ransom
Everglades has purchased Henry Field's estate, La Brisa. These developments and
others in the Grove, have largely maintained our tree canopy and unique
neighborhood character.
The NCD3 Code is now in place to protect Coconut Grove's density, green space,
tree canopy, unique property sizes and shapes, architectural variety, historic
structures and special character. In the cases presented today by others before
me, the warrant process has not been enforced and has resulted in confusion,
dissatisfaction and misundertandings among the very residents and developers it
is designed to protect.
The city MUST follow its own code without exception. The irregularities and
questions surrounding Battersea Woods should undergo an, independent legal
review. A precedent of exceptions cannot be established. The good news is that
we, as neighbors, support the intent of the NCD3 Code and look forward to
improving its clarity and implementation without exceptions. This is the only way
that 47 years from now, the people who live in my house will continue to live in a
Coconut Grove of the future that has been able to maintain the current unique
canopy and distinctive character that make our neighborhood exceptional. Please
defer the decision to plat Battersea Woods until the questions and irregularities
of the process are resolved.
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) PH.4
on 09/08/2016, City Clerk
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