9/10/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MMx 99 4a 64 CHILDREN'S SAFETY - There are many families with young children in our neighborhood. While the canal provides a major benefit in security, it also provides an enormous amount of risk to our children. The tree and vegetation line on the east side of the canal provides a safety barrier for them. The current growth it is so thick, a young child can not get through it. This barrier also serves as a deterrent because the children can not see the canal, thus, they are not tempted to explore and place themselves in great danger. The current trees and vegetation also provide an excellent sound barrier between Kingswood Estates and the 58th Avenue traffic. With the opening of the Indian River Mall and the expected major increase in traffic, the decibel (dB) noise level would increase tremendously in our neighborhood if the trees and vegetation are removed. One of our residents is an environmentalist who has noted *a number of species of birds, turtles and other animals living in and among the trees and vegetation along the east side of the canal along 58th Avenue. To remove the trees and shrubs would destroy the natural habitat of these creatures. This will be detailed in a separate letter, in addition the various environmental organizations will be contacted The trees and vegetation along the east side of the canal provide a curtain of privacy. Without this, the entire neighborhood would be on display 24 hours a day. Our children, who seem to constantly play outside, will become prime targets to the crimes that are so prevalent in our society today. The access road will only assist the criminal in doing these horrible crimes. A home is where we all should feel safe and secure. It is where we spend most of our time. We should be able to enjoy our environment. To force this change upon the residents of Kingswood Estates is in violation of the one thing that we work so hard and strive for, the American Dream, owning a home. A canal maintenance access road next to a residential area with young children, probably does not exist anywhere in Vero Beach today. Why should this be the fust? When we bought our homes in Kingswood Estates, we were made aware that a mall may come and 58th Avenue may be widened. No one was ever made aware that the trees and vegetation that serve as a buffer would be destroyed. As recent as one or two months ago for some new residents, they were never informed'prior to purchasing property in Kingswood Estates. Had we been aware of this, we would have never invested in this neighborhood. 44 September 10, 1996 M M M