City wants school to comply with codes

Historic City News covered City Manager John Regan when he told two dozen Nelmar Terrace residents that a fence, city codes, and future plans for the school are all on the agenda for an early May meeting with President Dan Hutto of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.

Hutto oversees 860 on-campus and outreach students as well as 700 employees. His service to the St. Augustine school dates back to the 1960′s.

Four months later, having achieved no resolution with Hutto and feeling increased pressure from residents in the neighborhood, the City started a code enforcement action against the school.

City Attorney Ron Brown told commissioners at their regular Monday night meeting that school officials “are demanding an alternate dispute resolution available to governmental bodies”. The school is state-owned and operated.

Steps in the process include staff discussions and, if unsuccessful, a public meeting of the two bodies which could lead to mediation, if necessary. “The whole process could take the remainder of the year,” Brown said.

The school has suffered conflicts with residents of Nelmar Terrace in the past; largely because its sprawling campus is carved out of one of the city’s oldest, historical neighborhoods.

Most recently at issue is a $1.3 million renovation and expansion to the Collins House on the waterfront facing Nelmar Avenue — originally constructed in 1924. Neighbors say the construction will change the single-family appearance of the one-time home. They have complained that the school is expanding a “single family residence” into a “student dormitory”.

Another issue is a high fence; built around the property to restrict access to the campus by outsiders and to protect students who might otherwise lose their way off campus. Neighbors say it negatively affects the character of the neighborhood.

A resolution to “start the process” against the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind will go before the City Commission September 26 as the city presses its demand that the school comply with city codes.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer