Petition updateChildren Are at Risk: Enforce Safety Requirements at The Discovery SchoolUpdate: Discovery School Athletic Field Site Plan Approved – Community Action Needed
Donnie BrzuskaJacksonville Beach, FL, United States
Mar 29, 2026

Neighbors,

We want to provide an important and time-sensitive update regarding The Discovery School.

Based on information available through the City’s permitting system, the school’s site development plan review for its proposed field, which is now referred to on Discovery's website as “greenspace,” has been completed. We have also received reports that construction activity may begin as early as Monday, March 30, including the delivery of fill material.

We have submitted a formal request to the City Manager and Planning Department seeking immediate clarification and documentation. We have also formally requested the City Manager to pause all construction, pending review by the city Planning Commission. 

What the approved plans show
From the most recent site plan materials obtained from the City:

  • More than 0.29 acres of wetlands are being impacted
  • Construction includes a retaining wall, fill, and drainage system along the residential boundary
  • The design introduces a significant change in elevation and runoff patterns directly adjacent to neighboring homes

These changes represent a material alteration to the site, not minor adjustments
In addition, the plans raise serious concerns about:

  • Impacts to drainage and water flow
  • Loss of existing green space and buffering
  • Increased intensity of use along the property line
  • Continued traffic issues affecting surrounding communities and emergency response times 

Ongoing concerns
This comes after months of community engagement where:

  • The school has not consistently met conditions established by the Planning Commission
  • The City has declined to enforce those conditions
  • The City has refused to bring these issues back before the Planning Commission for public review

This is not just about traffic.

This is about:

  • Impacts to our wetlands
  • Emergency response times
  • Community safety
  • Property values
  • Changes to the physical landscape
  • A lack of public transparenty

 What we are doing

  • A public records request has been filed for all approved site plans and supporting documents
  • We have formally asked the City to pause any work until these issues are clarified

What you can do right now
We encourage all residents to contact City leadership and request immediate review.

Once this work begins, many of these impacts may be permanent. We believe the community deserves clarity and a public review before that happens.

Support now
Sign this petition
Copy link
WhatsApp
Facebook
Nextdoor
Email
X