Photo by City of Marco Island
The required 330-foot buffer around the protected American bald eagles' nest on Tract K may limit development plans for the property, including the recent proposal by the Collier County School District, which owns the land, and United Energy Technology, a Marco-based company specializing in solar energy . Aerial courtesy of the City of Marco Island
Photo by Marilyn Vassel
One of Tract K's resident American bald eagles sits atop a pine tree in late November. Marilyn and Joe Vassel, neighbors to the Tract K lot, say they've been observing two protected eagles on the land near Tigertail Court for months. Marilyn Vassel/ Special to the Eagle
MARCO ISLAND — It’s not for the birds. That’s the reaction from several Marco Islanders about the idea of generating solar power on a parcel of land owned by the Collier County School District on Marco Island.
The Island community sent letters to the editor, City Council, the School Board and other leaders as City Council heads into a joint meeting with the School Board 1 p.m. Tuesday.
“(The bald eagles) are real, they do exist and are protected under state and federal law,” Marco resident Frances Enman wrote to the Marco Eagle.
Islander Karol Pelc sent a similar letter.
“I strongly urge a decisive action by the City Council against the planned violation of the federal law in this matter,” Pelc wrote regarding protection of the nesting American Bald Eagles on the site.
Enman also questioned one of the business partners proposing a solar project on the 11.6 acre piece of land near Tigertail Court. Monte Lazarus serves on the city’s planning board, which may some day have to rezone the land for the project.
Lazarus is a partner with United Energy Technology, the Marco-based firm who is contracting with the School District to construct solar panels to generate about 1 megawatt of power on the land.
“This is an act of defiance. Also, this is a definite conflict of interest that smacks of impropriety,” Enman said.
UET was founded in August 2008 by CEO Gary Elliott, the former Marco Chamber of Commerce president.
UET is working to develop large scale solar projects on Marco Island and throughout Collier County, particularly on several school sites. Elliott said he sought Lazarus’s background in state and federal law, which may help secure grants for the solar projects.
“The only problem is they didn’t ask the city or MICA first,” Councilman Ted Forcht wrote in an e-mail to Island constituents.
The Marco Island Civic Association protects the deed restrictions on properties as set forth by the Island’s developer, Deltona Corporation.
Councilman Frank Recker and Forcht said they didn’t have enough information yet to support the plan and they did not appreciate the process going into Tuesday's meeting.
City Manager Steve Thompson said he didn’t think it was too late for the School Board to be addressing City Council.
“Now if they were in the process of building something, that would be a bit late,” Steve Thompson said.
Forcht said he believed plans would typically be submitted to MICA, approved by the planning board for a zone change, since the property is currently zoned residential, and then go before City Council.
Ruth McCann, executive director of MICA, said she believes the land should be used strictly for educational purposes. MICA annually conducts surveys of Marco residents and results indicate many agree with her, but not all.
“Should Tract K be rezoned for school use only?”
According to MICA’s 2006 survey results to the question, 710 said yes; 762 thought no and 589 were undecided.
Superintendent Dennis Thompson has said the land is too small for most school uses and the meeting will not likely draw a final conclusion because the Florida’s grant won’t be secured until mid-February.
The School Board has not formally met before Tuesday to vote on the matter, but “conceptually approved the outline,” Thompson added.
Residents such as Tom Garousi expressed concern about the lack of public comment listed on the agenda. However Dennis Thompson said he anticipates an opportunity to discover the “level of receptivity” to the solar project.
MICA President Howard Jordan wrote a letter Friday on behalf of MICA to Council and the School Board.
“MICA is keenly aware of the potential benefits to the community and environment with the development of alternative and renewable sources of energy,” he wrote.
However Jordan questioned the finances, location and the true educational benefits.
The current design plan allows enough room for one athletic field. Members of Island athletic organizations, such as Tom Garousi, President of the Optimists Club, said they hoped to have two playing fields on Tract K.
The solar project is estimated to cost about $8.1 million to build and the School District would save about $100,000 on electric bills each year.
Island resident William Koupa wrote a letter warning of the hazardous materials currently used in solar panels. Due to potential health risks, Koupa proposed three other locations for such a project including northwest of Hideaway Beach, the highest point on Whiskey Creek Drive and Roberts Bay, further away from homes.
“Only one outcome is for certain if we proceed down this path; the last piece of property on Marco Island dedicated by its developers for a potential educational site will be forever lost,” Jordan says.
Lazarus and Dennis Thompson said this is an opportunity to put the Island and Collier County on the map for using solar in the Sunshine State.
Check back to marconews.com and Friday’s print edition of the Marco Eagle for coverage of the meeting.
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Comments » 17
NobodysFool57 writes:
Aside from the above listed credentials,Gary and Monte are also members of the city's Electric Municipalization committee. Just thought you might like to know...
Fossil writes:
Has the City surveyed the neighborhood this commercial venture may impact? We better find out if those property owners object or support this idea, before they take the City to court. While we are at it, why not survey all parents with school age children on Marco Island to find out if they even want a High School? Has MICA approved this? Sounds like City business to me.
waterday writes:
This land was deeded by Deltona and Mackle Brothers for a high school, or educational purposes. This vison for Marco should remain. MICA should enforce this deed restriction and not allow TractK to have any other purpose. 11 acres is sufficent for a very nice High School for the local children. The local kids are bussed at wee hours in the morning, off the island to Lely. Lely has deteriorated to a D School, and at times with the diversity is not a safe school. Many Marco parents have chosen to take their kids to alternative schools, private expensive schools and public schools in North Naples that have better grades- with many hours of daily commutes.(this number increases every year,due to the Lely D grade)Marco children deserve better. This site should be the high school, solar panels can be put on the roof of this school. Marco Charter Middle is a A school- no local child should be given a D school to attend. This is unacceptable from this community. TractK - a High School for our kids.
extra234 (Inactive) writes:
Agreed 100%, 25years.
marcobelle writes:
just for the record as "nobodysfool57" has already pointed out about mr elliot and mr lazarus being on the ad hoc electrical committee, so is mr jack patterson (who also is on the board of this commercial venture). this just reaks of conflict of interest, and that is just the least of it.
Beached writes:
25 years, could you direct me to deed/document that states Deltona deeded this property to the school department for a high school or educational purposes. The deed I saw, which can be found on the County Property Appraiser's Web site, which involves three parcels does have restrictions but, only involves only one of these parcels and it was clear, Track K is not the parcel restricted. Is there another deed somewhere?
As a matter of fact I believe Track K is zoned residential and even if the school department wanted to build a school, on track K, they may need MICA's ok, along with the city of Marco Island's ok.
By the way, I am not for this solar type of use for this property, just stating my opinion on what I believe to be the facts.
waterday writes:
Beached- you may call MICA and speak with Ruth MCcann, the property was given from Deltona/Mackle Brothers for use of educational purpose with the intent for a small high school on Marco Island. MICA would be able to assist you with this and the final approval needed for TractK
Beached writes:
25 years, I appreciate the direction you offer and I have a great respect for the job MICA does for our community, but it is the deed and the conditions that are attached to the deed that control and not MICA.
In this case I can find nothing in the deed that states "the property was given from Deltona/Mackle Brothers for use of educational purpose with the intent for a small high school on Marco Island"
In this case it really makes no difference as it appears our council is leaning against the proposal and the tale of Track K will continue.
waterday writes:
Beached- Thanks for your info- I have not read the deeds or restrictions. It would be nice for the children of this island to have a high school to attend. Lely has not lived up to what is expected. Marco Middle is great. The kids deserve a great high school. Hoping the council is against the proposal and the school board does something in the interest of education.
happy6 writes:
WHERE'S NANCI RITCHIE...PROTECT THE OWLS...WHAT ABOUT THE EAGLES... and as for monte...what's new here...he's all about monte...and $$$ for monte.
TheVoice writes:
I also agree that we need a high school for our island kids to attend it wouldnt need to be a huge school, as one person in a past comment said they did`nt think there was enough land located at track k for a high school its not like we are going to dredge up more of the gulf to add more residency to the island, so why not use the land for its original purpose,anyone with high school age kids should push this issue,or kids soon to be in high school,lely is a school with to many distractions for our children to recieve a proper education ,face it lely was once great but now it isnt any better than a inner city school, when you have to have police on campus 24/7 thats a problem, why make our kids go through that,and why continue the long commutes for island residents,A proper city would provide a proper school for its kids SO BUILD THAT SCHOOL!!!
liberator100 writes:
what an unfortunate bunch of fools you all are.
why don't you try and get some real jobs and spend your combined energies on something positive for the island for a change. you sound like a broken record, playing the same tune over and over and over again.
Fossil writes:
liberator: We may be "unfortunate", but why do you believe we are "fools"? Do not concerned citizens have a right to endorse a stated position? Or as you say; state their opinion "over and over again"? Do you not want our community to have quality High School to educate our children? When reprimending a public expressing itself, try and be as clear as those whom you criticize. How else can we know the basis for your judgment? We have no idea what it is that motivates you to call us fools.
multi_million_heir writes:
are there enough high school aged children to make building a school worthwhile? what is the projected figures of the same group in the future? i do not condone using that piece of land for this project for several reasons that have been stated previously. and as the backers have stated the technology is still too costly. but having the available resource (sunshine) is something that shouldnt just be ignored. here is a link to an article about a japanese city that has had a solar project ongoing with mixed results in their application. we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
http://solarpowerpanels.ws/solar-powe...
waterday writes:
islanman4now- we have 400+ children attending MICMS -A school, and then we send these children to a D school Lely!- where they learn back talk, disprect, drugs, gangs,sex, and everything else from chilren with parents who do not (or can't support) the Lely school. Marco does need a high school! Lely loses more Marco children every year- parents that can choose and have the time (to tansport) to other Public schools and parents (who can afford) to send to expensive Naples private schools will continue- as D rated high school is really not acceptable! Lely is a product of its environment and Marco is a product of its enviroment- A rated - it is that simple and Marco children should not attend this D school.
dcrain writes:
So, if the schools district will save $100,000 a year in electrical costs, and the project cost is estimated a 8.1 million, why in 81 years it will have paid for itself! Must be new math, I don't understand the reasoning for this at all.
Energy saving projects with a 3-5 year payback yes, but 81 years?
MarcoFam6 writes:
Marco High on Tract K.... YES!!
It has nothing to do with being racist. I can assure you that not all of Marco is LILY WHITE. That is just being ridiculous! I could shoot back with several different attacks...all immature and all beside the point.
My husband was born and raised here. He attended Lely. My sister and brother both attended Lely. Our friends attended Lely. Lely isn't like it used to be, and I am not going to go into it. You can read it in the paper. Still, it doesn't excuse the fact that Lely is a D school. Bottom Line and because I love my children and want them to prosper I don’t want them attending Lely.
My husband and I are both blue collar workers who want the best for our children. We want them to have every advantage that they can possibly have. Isn't that how it is supposed to work? Aren't the parents supposed to want better for their children then what they had? Look how great the Charter School here is!
I attended a Department of Defense High School because my father was in the military. My graduating class had 99 students. We had sports and all the activities a regular high school had.
Why can't the solar project go on the roof? Why can't Marco compromise and together find a solution. Forget the name calling and all the immature things that go along with that tactic. It used to be that a community would ban together to help each other. What happened to that?
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