Special Meeting of the Planning and Historic Preservation Board

Special Meeting of the Planning and Historic Preservation Board Minutes Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM 706 NE Cholokka BLVD CALL TO ORDER Chair Fro Warren called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO FLAG ROLL CALL Chair Fro Warren, present Vice Chair Stephen Elder, absent Board Member Troy Blakely, present Board Member Mike Davis, present Town Staff Attorney A. Derek Folds, present Administrator Sara Samario, present Deputy Town Clerk Patty Polk, absent Agenda approval: Motion made and seconded (Blakely/Davis) to approve the agenda as amended changing Site Plan Rewiew to Concept Review - Micanopy Area Cooperative School (MACS); passed 3-0 CITIZEN’S FORUM Public Comment (public comments limited to 2 minutes per speaker, please) None NEW BUSINESS 1. Concept Review - Micanopy Area Cooperative School Attorney A. Derek Folds stated that this is not a Quasi-Judicial hearing and the Board is not allowed to give approval, disapproval, or make comments; you are just receiving this information. Tim Boehlein, JBPro, gave a presentation on behalf of the Micanopy Area Cooperative School (MACS), which would like to expand to include grades 6 to 8 as a new middle school. Discussion ensued at length. School zone drop-offs and pick-ups were discussed at length, and traffic studies have been done. Public comment: Resident in favor of MACS. Paul Cohen questioned whether any trees would be trimmed or removed, and Mr. Boehlein already stated that no trees would be removed. Stoney Slaton discussed the school and is in favor. The resident discussed traffic during student pickup. Brenda Maynard, MACS principal, explained the pickup process, the instructions given to parents, and the staggered pickup times for elementary and middle schools. Valerie Roberts, a Micanopy resident, spoke of the traffic patterns and whether the extra traffic is dangerous. The school is good, but it should be in a different location. The safety of the children is very important. H. Grace Fuller, a Micanopy resident, questioned whether the old oak tree will be left alone and will not be removed. She is concerned that the school is for Micanopy residents and that this is a very large increase in the school's size. She is concerned with the road handling all the extra traffic. Discussion ensued at length. A Micanopy resident is concerned about local children being enrolled in the school before non-residents, and about children darting out into traffic. Ms. Maynard responded that children will not be crossing the road and are supervised. Sarah Net Woods would like to thank the school for all they've done in educating our children and for their concern for their safety. The community has benefited from this school through employment and by supporting the town stores. Ashley Wood would like to thank the school for being such an asset to the town and children. Ms. Maynard hears everyone and would like to help with solving problems. They are very concerned about traffic during pick-up times and would like to help with any problems that may arise. Deborah Hart, a Micanopy store owner, spoke highly of Ms. Maynard and is in favor of the school. Mike Roberts, a Micanopy resident, is concerned about traffic on Seminary Ave. He is opposed to the school expansion. Bud DesForges spoke in opposition to the school expansion. A Micanopy resident is in favor of the school. Cary Gallop, volunteer at MACS for years. is in favor of the school. Josh Finch supports MACS school expansion. A Micanopy resident and teacher at MACS supports MACS' school expansion. Phil Irwin is opposed to the school expansion. The Site Plan and the Final Site Plan can be combined into a single Quasi-Judicial Hearing, or they can be handled separately. The MACS site plan review will be held on August 26, 2025 BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS 2. Troy Blakely (Seat 1) 3. Mike Davis (Seat 2) 4. Open Seat (Seat 3) 5. Stephen Elder (Seat 5) CHAIR FRO WARREN (SEAT 4) REPORT ADJOURN PLEASE NOTE: PURSUANT TO SECTION 286.015, FLORIDA STATUTES, IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED DURING THIS MEETING, HE OR SHE WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT, A PERSON WITH DISABILITIES NEEDING ANY SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN TOWN MEETINGS SHOULD CONTACT THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR, 706 NE CHOLOKKA BLVD., MICANOPY, FLORIDA 32667-0137, TELEPHONE (352) 466-3121. Chair Fro Warren adjourned the meeting at 7:17 pm.