SAVE THE GROVE!

  Happy Fourth, y'all!  

   Let's declare our independence from the developers that are squeezing so much money (and what we love about the Grove) from of our neighborhoods.

    John Snider and his friends are doing great work with their SAVE THE GROVE  group.  Below is their latest newsletter.  It explains how developers are destroying the unique nature of Coconut Grove with their charm-less. high density white boxes. Two just went up on my street, Palmetto Avenue.  The diagram is a typical footprint of these mega-cubes. Greenspace for these houses -that look more like doctor offices- is minimal.

   Working together, we can slow this sad process and eventually stop it.  Let's preserve our historic houses, save the trees, and...save the Grove!

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                                    S A V E  T H E  G R O V E

 

We are all aware of the inroads of overdevelopment in the Grove which we see as a challenge to the nature and character of our neighborhood. The figure to the left depicts a 5,000 square foot two story house on a 6,000 square foot lot.

 Similar homes are being built at 4111 Hardie, and 4190 Grove, They are springing up on Woodridge, Battersea, and Anne Ct. They have 5 bedrooms and 5 baths. As you can see there is no room for mature canopy trees to grow; not enough room for a standard size septic system.

 It is pretty obvious to those familiar with the neighborhood that a 5000 square foot house with 5 bedrooms does not belong on this size lot. The City’s required greenspace of 30%, which is reduced to 22.5% by having grass between the driveway pavers, is not enough to maintain the tree canopied, highly landscaped natural beauty of our sub-urban environment. 

 The existing 60 to 70 year old homes have a footprint of about 2,000-2500 square feet with living space around 1600 square feet. A minimum requirement for 50% greenspace with no reduction, would go a long way toward insuring the continued park like environment we have enjoyed. It would still allow a large 2 story replacement home, of say 3200 square feet, to be constructed  with a garage, driveway and small patio. 

    If we fail to press the city commission to enact greater greenspace requirements as homes on these smaller lots are replaced the area around Merrie Christmas park will cease to be sub-urban.

   The City of Miami Historical and Environmental Board meets on Tuesday, July 5 at 3 pm at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) 3701 Park Ave.  is on the agenda. The lot contains a two-story Craftsman Style home and a one story chauffeur quarters, both constructed in 1916. 

   Regardless of the outcome of designating this as a historical site, there is no way the lot should be divided into 3 or 4 home sites as the developer wants, or the 7 that the City of Miami seems to be willing to permit.

Have a Great 4^th of July weekend

 

BE AWARE OF ZONING NOTICES WHICH MAY GET POSTED &/OR YOU MAY RECEIVE BY MAIL & LET THE GROUP KNOW IMMEDIATELY.  Also be on the lookout for APPLICATIONS for waivers or warrants, and questionable building. . 

SHARE THE NEWSLETTER;  Forward it to a neighbor and ask them to send us an e-mail at savethegrove16@gmail.com so they can be added to the mailing list.    Visit our new web site at SAVETHEGROVE.org

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