Florida's Blood Centers' Mission is to provide a safe and adwquate blood supply to our hosptials, to support world-class collaborative medical
research into human disease, and to improve the quality of life for its employees, partners, donors, and the community.
The nearby Blood Donor Center is located at 956 South US1, Rockledge, FL - 321.632.5720. Pleae donate to save a
life. You may call 1-888-9-DONATE or go to www.floridasbloodcenters.org for more information.
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2005 North North Tropical Trail Citizens Small Area Study
In April, 2005, a small area study (SAS) for North-North
Tropical Trail was established. Over nine months of work by dedicated NMI residents went into this comprehensive
research project which covered the area along North Tropical Trail from Porcher Road to the "bend" of SR 3.
The recommendations of this SAS were submitted to the Board
of County Commissioners in December of 2005.
A final staff review was held on July 19, 2007 and then
this SAS was included on the Commissioners' agenda on September
25, 2007 and passed.
Among the items included are the Future Land Use Map (FLUM)
be changed to the current zoning density map, action to alleviate flooding on West Crisafulli, Church and Porcher Roads, the
repair of several roads in the study area, and to exclude use of the Open Space Ordinance in this area.
The Final NNTT SAS Report may be found in the Zoning section
of this website under "Helpful Links". Since other areas in North Merritt Island may see the benefit of holding their
own small area studies to maintain the quality of life and sense of place that makes our home so unique, this first
one may help everyone understand the process.
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A Small Area Study is completed for East Merritt Island.
It includes South Banana River Drive from the SR 520 south,
including Newfoundharbor Drive, and the North Banana River Drive from the SR 520 North to the Barge Canal; west including
the Ulumay Sanctuary though Sykes Creek with the east boundry the Banana River.
County representatives from the Transportation, Stormwater, Natural Resources, Recreation,
Fire Rescue, Water & Sewer, Emergency Management, as well as organizations/vendors, including FPL, Waste Management, etc., have provided information about the area. A group of 11 Merritt Island citizens
worked through 17 public meetings with the county staff to craft these recommendations that cover land use, and intensity
of development for this area.
The study was approved by the Local Planning Agency (LPA) on September 8, 2008 and went
before the to the Board of County Commissioners on October 14, 2008, where it was unanimously approved. The recommeded
amendments to our Comprehensive Plan now go to the State for approval.
We may remember, what happens to other areas of Merritt Island may soon happen to
us. It is in our best interests to support all Small Area Studies on Merritt Island for the health and future of our
home.
(01.08.09)
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Island Pioneer Trail
Jack Ratterman, our
Association President (elected for the 3rd year in a row!), has persevered to make our Island Pioneer Trail (between
Chase Hammock Road and Hall Road) a reality.
We note that the Summer 2008
issue of "On the Go With Your MPO" lists the North Merritt Island Pioneer Trail as in the group with the #1 priority
by the Bicycle /Pedestrian and Trial Advisory Committee (BPTAC) and approved by the MPO on May 8, 2008. The FDOT will
fund as many of those projects as possible.
A lot of complex planning is
involved and it takes time, but thanks to the help of our great Commissioner Chuck Nelson, we are hopeful that this project
will move forward! Patience is the key, as our entire county struggles with State mandated reductions in revenue.
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The North Merritt Island
Special District Advisory Board (NMISDAB) has six members who represent the NMI residents concerning
zoning issues in our area. Elected members are Chris Cook, Mary Hillberg, Aneta Ott, Ron Penn, Tom McFarland, Shaye
Williams. One vacancy will be filled by appointment during the February 2009 meeting of the Advisory
Board.
This non-partisan,
elected board represents the interests, views and future vision of the NMI community regarding rezoning requests in this
area and makes recommendations to the County Commissioners by studying the county rules, reviewing the areas involved and
listening to the residents. This board is our Special NMI "Zoning Board" by referendum vote, so it is important
in terms of rezoning issues for the residents of NMI.
The meetings of this board are generally
the second Thursday of each month at the Merritt Island County Complex, second floor and start promptly at 6pm.
The next meeting of this board is scheduled for February 12, 2009.
These are public meetings and are open
to all residents. If the access doors to the Complex are inadvertently locked, please ring the doorbell assertively
until they are unlocked.
Please check the "Zoning" section of this website for more information about
pending rezoning issues that may affect NMI. If you are unable to attend the meetings, share your opinions regarding
rezoning issues on NMI by email or phone to your area NMIHOA District Representative or email the website
manager of this site.
THANK YOU for supporting your community!
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Environmentally Endangered Lands PICA
Dr. Scott Taylor, PhD, Central Regional Land Manager, Environmentally Endangered Land Program
(EEL), invites us to learn more about the 900-acre Pine Island Conservation Area (PICA) located on North Merritt Island.
To learn about PICA and see all the great things that our EEL Program has to offer, click
www.eelbrevard.com. Dr. Scott Taylor may be reached at 255-4466 or staylor@brevardparks.com.
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Beautification Xeriscape Grant Awarded to NMIHOA
In 2006 we were awarded a Beautification Xeriscape Grant from Keep Brevard Beautiful, Inc! The
median area of SR3 ~ 1.2 miles north of the Barge Canal (across from the Merritt Island Nursery) has been cared for by the
NMIHOA for several years with permission of the Florida Department of Transportation.
Volunteers removed old plants, repaired the reuse water sprinkler system, planted new native grasses,
flowers and mulched the median area. This last renewal was completed during 2006. It was a colorful
visual relief on SR3 for our residents and visitors throughout that year.
In April of 2007, B&G Landscaping volunteered to "adopt" the median and maintain it. A sign indicating
this has been placed on the south end of the median. We are looking forward to increased participation by this
volunteer business to maintain this median of our NMI corridor.
There are also young oak trees planted on the east easement of SR3 just north of
the Barge Canal that could really use a helping hand. These little trees could use a lift!
In addition, there are other ways we may beautify and enhance our community. Any time
we see a situation that is not compatible with the Vision of the association (see our Home page on this website), we
may make a difference by contacting our district association representative. The more we collaborate, the better and
stronger our North Island home will become.
If you would like to contribute to your community in a "green" way, or would otherwise
like to volunteer for the Beautification Committee, please contact Gary
Van der Laan at 452-4986.
(01.08.09)
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Mitchell Ellington Park is becomming a true
"field of dreams"! Even with limited funds for maintenance (and with budgetary constraints always looming), the
park is a wonderful asset to our community.
Many children's baseball games have already been played there
and there is nothing but praise for the beautiful park!
Hat's off to our Commissioner Chuck Nelson for activily supporting
this quality of life effort. When the planned community
center is built, it may also serve as a command post after future hurricane events (a footprint for this was included
at the association's request in the original plans and funding was secured).
(01.06.09)
2005 North Courtenay Parkway Corridor Study
Status
This North Courtenay Parkway Corridor Study
was completed by North Merritt Island volunteers and a final draft sent to the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners
in September 2005.
This study involved many issues that impact
safety, aesthetic and environmental aspects of this corridor, which has been named a "Scenic Highway" by the State of
Forida.
The 2006 Brevard County Board of Commissioners voted to accept
this study and the recommendations were to be sent to the state for approval and thereafter integrated into the county
planning for North Merritt Island. You may review the final study under "Helpful Links" in the Zoning section
of this website.
It will soon be time for an evaluation of this Corridor
Study to assess the results of this community/county collaborative effort. We will report that when it is available.
(06/08/08)
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