Dear Neighbors,

Please allow us to introduce ourselves and our reason for writing.  We are fellow homeowners in the Thompsons Subdivision on Grouper Trail (near Port Largo).  Many people in our area are unaware at this time that Monroe County has approved as a minor conditional use a 1,260 square foot Meeting Facility/Clubhouse with a 240 square foot unenclosed porch to be used as a 12-step (AA/NA) recovery facility to hold meetings in.  There are currently 15 parking spaces planned for the property as well.  This will be located on five tropical hardwood hammock lots between East Drive and Grouper Trail.  There is some discussion of an additional three lots to be cleared for even more parking as well.  This area is zoned SR, Suburban Residential.  We believe this will most definitely impact our small area with traffic, parking issues, noise, and a general impact of people from outside our neighborhood coming into our residential area.  We also believe it will impact many of you our surrounding neighbors as well.  It will bring more traffic through all of the neighborhoods in our area.  It will bring people from outside our area through our neighborhoods.  It will place a larger burden on the already heavily trafficked East Drive, one of the main entrances into our neighborhoods.  If people park along the road it will also create a traffic hazard, especially with the Fire Station so close by.  We have counted upwards of 38 vehicles at these meetings at a smaller location than one planned here.  The meetings currently are scheduled anytime between 9 AM and 10 PM (ending around 11 PM), 7 days a week.  It is important to note that we are not opposed in any way to the nature of the meetings.  We are opposed to the negative impact this will have on our neighborhood, from the destruction of hardwood hammock to the traffic and parking. 

What we are asking of from you is your support before the Monroe County Planning Commission on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 10 AM.  Please attend if at all possible to show the Planning Commission we do not want this facility at the proposed location.  This will be our only chance to keep this encroachment of a non-residential entity into our residential area. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  Thank you for your time and assistance.

Sincerely,

Charessa Padula                                   Debra Kinkead

453-5249                                             453-9144