::: Meetings with Commissioners
Members of the community opposed to the Covenant House proposal have been meeting with the city commissioners this week. We've taken your concerns directly to the decision-makers. Click here to read the information packet we shared with them which makes the case for rejecting the application. And a big "thank you" to all of the community members who have helped spread the word.
The city staff are continuing to support the Covenant House application. While the staff does not vote, they can have significant influence on the commissioners' decisions. Ultimately though, the commissioners are the ones who vote to approve or deny any given project. Therefore, it is critical that you continue to make the case directly to them.
::: Changes in Review Schedule
Before the city commission can vote on the Covenant House application, it must first come before the Development Review Committee (DRC) and the Planning & Zoning Board (P&Z).
The agenda for the April 24 DRC meeting was published today, and the Covenant House application is not on it. It is possible that the application will move forward in May. THAT SAID, the goal is for Covenant House to withdraw their proposal before it ever comes before P&Z and the commission for a vote.
Continue to reach out to your representatives (see below for how) and let them know it will be detrimental to the surrounding businesses and residences and that it flies in the face of the Comprehensive Plan which calls for the city to revitalize the development of the westside of Oakland Park. Tell your commissioners that this location does not work for Covenant House or for their constituents.
::: Upcoming Calendar Dates
We will let you know as soon as we know if the Covenant House application will be on a meeting's agenda. Agendas are published 7 days in advance of the meeting.
- Thu May 8 - Development Review Committee
- Mon May 12 - Planning & Zoning Board (possible vote)
- Wed May 21 - City Commission (earliest possible vote)
::: Please Keep Writing to Your Commissioners
Your letter-writing campaign is an extremely effective way to be heard directly by the decision-makers: our five elected city commissioners. Please take a minute or two to write - even a simple message of just a few lines lets them know that you can about the effect this project will have on our community.
If you need help, click here for a letter template to get you started.
Please be sure to cc all five of the commissioners on your email - that way they will be sure to get the message.
- Mayor Tim Lonergan
954-683-2658 - timl@oaklandparkfl.gov - Vice Mayor Steve Arnst
954-943-2055 - stevena@oaklandparkfl.gov - Commissioner Aisha Gordon
954-397-1921 - aisha.gordon@oaklandparkfl.gov - Commissioner Letitia Newbold
954-605-4634 - letitia.newbold@oaklandparkfl.gov - Commissioner Fitz Budhoo
954-493-4013 - fitz.budhoo@oaklandparkfl.gov
::: Please Share This Petition
We're only 10 signatures away from our next goal of 800! Please keep sharing this petition with your friends, neighbors, relatives, and anyone else that cares about you, your neighborhood, and your city. Use the share buttons on this page or simply send them this link: