Subject:
URGENT: Concerned Parents at St. Martha School

Dear Commissioner,

I am [Your Name], a devoted parent of [Your Children’s Names ] attending St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota. Our school and community hold a special place in our hearts, but I write to you today with deep apprehension regarding the proposed single-family housing development, St. Sofia Villas (Petition No. 23-PA-04).

As caring parents and devout Catholics, we wholeheartedly support initiatives aimed at improving our community and aiding those in need. However, our foremost concern lies with the safety and well-being of the children at our school, a consideration that seems overlooked in this proposal.

The addition of single-family housing would inevitably escalate traffic along an already congested road, particularly during school pick-up and drop-off hours. This heightened traffic poses a significant risk to our students, especially those who walk to Cardinal Mooney High School, facing potential danger while navigating increased traffic.

Regrettably, the traffic studies conducted by the Diocese of Venice fail to capture the full scope of the issue, as they do not account for school-related traffic patterns. This oversight leaves our children vulnerable and underscores the inadequacy of the current proposal.

Moreover, the proximity of the proposed housing to our school raises serious security concerns. Ensuring the safety of our students is paramount, yet the Diocese of Venice appears indifferent to the implications for our school’s security measures.

Furthermore, the proposed development threatens to stifle the growth and potential of St. Martha Catholic School. By occupying valuable land adjacent to our school, it hampers any future expansion opportunities, depriving our institution of the resources needed to flourish.

Sincerely,