Diocese Letter

Subject:
Urgent Appeal: Protecting Our Children’s Safety and School’s Future

Dear Bishop Dewane,

I am writing to you as a concerned parent deeply invested in the welfare of our children and the future of St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota. While we appreciate the Diocese’s commitment to addressing housing needs within our community, I implore you to reconsider the proposed single-family housing development, St. Sofia Villas (Petition No. 23-PA-04), and explore alternative locations for this project.

Our primary concern centers on the safety of the children at our school. Introducing additional housing in close proximity to our campus would inevitably exacerbate traffic congestion along an already busy road, particularly during crucial pick-up and drop-off times. This heightened traffic poses a grave risk to our students, especially those who must navigate the streets to reach Cardinal Mooney High School. It is imperative that we prioritize their safety above all else.

Furthermore, the current proposal fails to adequately address security considerations for our school. The proximity of the proposed housing to our campus necessitates a thorough reassessment of our security measures to ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.

Equally troubling is the potential impact of this development on the future growth and expansion of St. Martha Catholic School. By occupying valuable land adjacent to our campus, the proposed housing would limit our ability to accommodate the needs of our growing student population and hinder our school’s ability to thrive.

I understand the importance of addressing housing challenges within our community, but I urge you to recognize that this particular location is ill-suited for such a project. There are undoubtedly alternative properties available that would better serve the needs of both the community and our school.

In the spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility, I implore the Diocese of Venice to reconsider the location of this project and explore alternative sites that would not compromise the safety and future of St. Martha Catholic School.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Together, we can ensure the well-being and prosperity of our children and our beloved school.

Sincerely,