Safe Routes to School: Dozens of Residents Weigh In at Town Hall

Key Biscayne K-8 Center visible across Ridgewood from the north corner of W Enid Dr, Oct. 11. a town hall meeting Thursday gave residents a chance to discuss the proposed Safe Routes to School. (Key News/Annali Hayward)

Dozens of Key Biscayne residents jammed Village Hall Oct. 10 to discuss new plans for Safe Routes to School, a national program encouraging children to walk or bike to school. 

Village Manager Andrea Agha opened proceedings by addressing a staff faux pas that doubtless caused some of the neighborhood dismay that was palpable in the room. The gaffe came in the form of a certified letter sent to 54 affected residents who had not been consulted or notified about plans affecting their properties. The letter advised of already-decided sidewalk installations and informed the residents of appeal rights, raising procedural questions under state law that were unanswered. 

“It’s not Key Biscayne style,” said Agha, “it was a lapse on our part.”

Agha’s candor may have taken the wind out of some of the objections but it did not halt them entirely.

The meeting worked more like a public hearing than a town hall workshop, although residents were invited to address their particular issues. Project engineers Kimley-Horn used interactive maps showing streets and routes. 

Valentina Mármol spoke as an unofficial representative of 19 West Enid Drive residents on the north side of the street, whose driveways would have sidewalks across them, within the public right-of-way, under current plans. The West Enid group pointed out that a sidewalk installation on the north side of the street would affect 19 houses, whereas the south side has only six driveways onto the street. They also noted that the south side of the street intersects with four cross streets, which would help connect areas to the south of West Enid with the new sidewalk.

Resident Valentina Marmol addresses project engineers and staff at the Safe Routes to School town hall meeting, Oct. 10 (Key News/Annali Hayward)

Kimley-Horn engineer Leonte Almonte explained that data shows it is safer for children to cross driveways than intersections, as the change of color and material provides drivers a “visual cue” that there is a sidewalk. 

“You cannot put a stop sign at the end of every driveway,” said Mármol in opposition to that notion. “I walk there every day with my dog – people drive like crazy on West Enid.”

On that point many agreed, with one resident telling of pushing her son onto the grass on the second day of school to avoid being hit by drivers on West Enid. 

Education Advisory Board members later expressed support for Almonte’s explanation, saying they believe decisions are based on statistics. Nonetheless, since the meeting, Key Biscayne Director of Public Works Jake Ozyman confirmed that Kimley-Horn is reviewing accident data comparing sidewalks across driveways versus sidewalks butting against street intersections. 

Almonte also said that part of the choice for the north side of West Enid was that there is a pump station in the right-of-way way on the south side, meaning children would have to cross there anyway to get to school. But, said Almonte, “if the Village wants to go back to look at the other side, we can.”

Another West Enid resident suggested that because the survey data in the project’s study is old, it is no longer accurate in emphasizing area middle-schoolers walking to school. Figures provided by the Key Biscayne K-8 Center confirmed that out of a school census of 1,226 students, there are currently 430 fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth-graders who arrive at the Glenridge entrance. 

Other comments from residents touched on environmental impacts, ranging from tree removal to the amount of concrete required. Mike Schmale, a marine biologist at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, questioned the wisdom of the Village considering purchasing two lots on Harbor Drive for green space and simultaneously laying 16,000 square feet of concrete for sidewalks.

Almonte responded that DERM is unconcerned if the amount of concrete is less than 1 acre (43,560 square feet). Schmale made clear he was not suggesting using permeable, after Almonte walked through the higher initial outlay and ongoing maintenance costs associated. 

Support for the initiative was voiced by mother Marina Ventura who felt “blessed” that her house already benefits from sidewalks, since her 11-year-old son recently fell ill and is temporarily in a wheelchair. 

“It made me realize I would not be able to push him through a lawn, and the street is unsafe so not an option,” she said. 

Heidi Frank called on Key Biscayners to put their educations to good use and back the project, because “if a tragedy happens, we will all pay the price.” 

But former mayor Robert Vernon said it was a trick question to ask people if they want safe routes to school. “I don’t think there’s anybody up here – whether they’re for or against sidewalks – that wants their kid dodging cars on the way to school,” he said. 

Vernon voiced some objections, going on to argue that “if you [the county] take 15 percent [of a lot], even though it’s the right-of-way, it’s still landscaped by us, driveway-ed by us – we take care of that. If it’s the right-of-way, the village should take care of that.” 

“I don’t know how far along this project is, but I get the feeling it’s done,” he said. 

Kristen Guess, chair of the Education Advisory Board, reminded residents of the $867,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transport for the project. She also said that other communities who have been through this process have not benefited from a “sincere and honest dedication from a Village that cares.” Unlike in other communities, said Guess, Public Works staff have spoken to residents about how they can help with moving hedges and other landscaping modifications. 

Agha thanked residents, saying the Council must approve the construction design once finalized.

After the meeting, Mármol said that she thought it went well. “I am sure they will take into consideration many of the suggestions.”

“It’s not the way it should have been done,” said Mayor Mike Davey later. 

Mayor Mike Davey calls for calm in a moment of tension at the Safe Routes to School town hall meeting, Oct. 10 (Key News/Annali Hayward)

Davey would have preferred prior consultation with residents, but was “glad people got the chance to have an input.” 

Ozyman confirmed that staff spoke with the FDOT Friday morning and that engineers are expected to do a field review this week. 

“We will know by Friday what changes are warranted as per the town hall meeting,” he said.