K-8 Center’s gifted program showcases the work of creative thinkers<\/p>\n
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To help solve problems in Key Biscayne, one innovative local educator decided to look to some of the best and brightest outside-the-box thinkers in the Village. The fact that they’re 9 and 10 years old makes no difference. Seen here are\u00a0Ravi Lima,\u00a0Nandor Delevic,\u00a0Emma Asturias,\u00a0Diego Segurola\u00a0and\u00a0Erik Medina, who created a Key Biscayne app for tourism geared toward a younger audience.<\/p>\n
Walgreens developer may sue over site plan deferral<\/p>\n
Walgreens developers are considering legal action against the Village after a deferral of their site plan hearing. They say it’s yet another delay in a pattern aimed at devaluing their land so the government can buy it at a cut-rate price. Village officials, however, maintain they’re moving forward in good faith, obtaining a traffic study that will answer key questions about the project and allow for a hearing.<\/p>\n
David Puyanic, President of Commodore Realty, an owner of the Village entry block where the pharmacy\/liquor store would be located, said he can think of only one explanation for the deferral decision, which was based on what the Council felt was an inadequate study on how much traffic the project will generate and how ingress and egress will work.<\/p>\n
“There is no rationale to do this other than to try to manipulate the situation. It would only happen if they’re trying to kill a project,” he said. “They are trying to find a problem. They are on purpose trying to devalue our property so they can buy it cheaper later, all because they want the legacy of building a park at the entry block. It’s stealing by any other name.\u201d<\/p>\n
City Theatre reading<\/p>\n
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City Theatre organizers presented a selection of readings from their Summer Shorts program. Pictured are\u00a0John Manzelli,\u00a0Melissa White, Mayor\u00a0Frank Caplan,\u00a0Susan Westfall\u00a0and\u00a0Chris Biggers.<\/p>\n
Residents spread the holiday cheer to those serving their country<\/p>\n
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Volunteers wrap iPads for men and women serving in the military. Longtime Key Biscayne resident Winnie Pritchett founded iPads For Soldiers to provide troops technology they can use to stay in touch with home. This holiday season, she’s introducing “Operation Holiday Cheer,” a fundraising drive aimed at giving soldiers a gift that can truly improve their lives.<\/p>\n
New single-family home zoning rules pass first reading<\/p>\n
An ordinance aimed at easing problems in the single-family home zoning district got preliminary Village Council approval earlier this month but work remains to be done before local leaders take a final vote next year.<\/p>\n
The ordinance, sponsored by Council member Jim Taintor, takes aim at three common sources of woe for homeowners: privacy and noise intrusions caused by nearby homes and their mechanical systems, a lack of on-property parking that forces vehicles onto the swales and rainwater runoff that occurs when a home on an elevated lot is built next to a lower existing property.<\/p>\n
Taintor said the situation continues to worsen, as now he’s hearing complaints not just from the owners of the island’s original one-story Mackle homes, who have said large “McMansions” loom over their properties, invading their privacy.<\/p>\n
“Even the owners of new homes are complaining when a new monstrosity goes up next to them,” Taintor noted. “I think we need to get control of what is being built on this island.”<\/p>\n
Council members voted 7-0 to pass his ordinance on first reading, noting they’ll make any necessary tweaks on second reading.<\/p>\n
Mayor Frank Caplan is concerned with Taintor’s parking proposals, while Vice Mayor Michael Davey said he’ll argue against a suggestion stating residents can’t park their commercial vehicles in their driveways or on the street overnight. In general, local leaders said there’s a lot of good to the proposal, so they want to keep working with it.<\/p>\n
At the heart of Taintor’s proposal are ways to ease problems that chip away at quality of life, such as noise and privacy issues.<\/p>\n
Vice Mayor Davey said an analysis by Building, Zoning and Planning Director Jud Kurlancheek didn’t address enough of the Council’s concerns. Case in point, Davey said the Council would like the ordinance to include language about sound proofing of air conditioners and other noisy equipment, as well as a way to encourage or require homes to be moved closer to the street to create larger backyard buffers between neighbors.<\/p>\n
Council member Ed London agreed. London has made the case for larger backyards, he favors 25-foot rear setbacks, two of which back-to-back would create a 50-foot buffer noting most of the privacy complaints stem from homes that back up to each other.<\/p>\n
Kelly asked if that would preclude L-shaped houses, a popular and attractive option on the Key, and Kurlancheek said it would.<\/p>\n
One new fundamental question emerged courtesy of London: should the Village be focusing so much on how zoning rules impact small Mackles when those homes will likely go the way of the dinosaurs in the near future?<\/p>\n
“We’re worrying about Mackles that aren’t going to be here,” he said. “What’s the future of this island? It’s not the Mackles.”<\/p>\n
Kurlancheek confirmed Mackles are being demolished and replaced by large homes at a steady rate, and two local architects agreed new construction, not remodeling, is the wave of the future.<\/p>\n
Deborah DeLeon of Village Architects noted, “We have to move toward the future and what our houses are going to be very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
WOMAN’S CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY<\/p>\n
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The Key Biscayne Woman’s Club hosted its holiday party at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. Members brought gifts for young people at Miami Bridge. Pictured are\u00a0Thania Vernon\u00a0and\u00a0Doris Nemtzow.<\/p>\n
KEY CHALLENGE<\/p>\n
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Students and teachers from Key Biscayne schools gathered at Fairways on the Key to learn how they can be better stewards of our planet by accepting the Key Challenge. Seen here are\u00a0Laura Lopez\u00a0and\u00a0Anne Rothe.<\/p>\n
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Make a list, check it twice<\/p>\n
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Coldwell Banker Realtor\u00a0Jamie Mc-Caughan, branch manager\u00a0Dianne Regalado\u00a0Kammerer\u00a0and former branch manager\u00a0Susie\u00a0Abell\u00a0are preparing to collect useful and practical items for St. Mary’s School and Project Upstart.<\/p>\n
Networker at The Golden Hog<\/p>\n
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The Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly networker at The Golden Hog. Pictured are\u00a0Reina Gonz\u00e1lez,\u00a0Nora\u00a0Camejo\u00a0and\u00a0Julian\u00a0Goldstein.<\/p>\n
ONE SOTHEBY’S NEW OFFICE<\/p>\n
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A celebration was held for One Sotheby’s new office in The Square. Pictured are\u00a0Barbara Lamar\u00a0and\u00a0Alina de la Vega MacLean.<\/p>\n
Grand opening for Ceci Spa<\/p>\n
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A Grand Opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for Ceci Spa in Key Colony. Pictured are\u00a0Edgar Beltran,\u00a0Ceci Ramos\u00a0and\u00a0Tony Camejo.<\/p>\n
Rotary Food and Wine Fest<\/p>\n
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The annual Rotary Food and Wine Fest was held at The Fairways at the Crandon Park Golf Course. Pictured are\u00a0Joe,\u00a0Jennifer,\u00a0Sue\u00a0and\u00a0Joe Jr. Coote.<\/p>\n
ASK HOLIDAY PARTY<\/p>\n
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Active Seniors on the Key hosted a holiday party. Pictured are\u00a0Peter Britell\u00a0and\u00a0Ed Stone.<\/p>\n
Where In the World is The Islander News?<\/p>\n
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Bennett Bahamondes\u00a0enjoyed\u00a0The Islander News\u00a0with breakfast while visiting his grandmother, Key Biscayne, resident\u00a0Mary Ann Smith, in Raymond, Maine, on Lake Sebago. Also along for the trip were his parents\u00a0J.P.\u00a0and\u00a0Stacia Bahamondes.<\/p>\n