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Precious Hands Academy - ALT
My Name is Janelle Corona, and I am the owner of Precious Hands Academy #2 at 2775 S. Bartlett Ave. I am requesting an alternative compliance approval for our landscaping. I removed
the 16 ft. grass buffer area between the fence and the driveway to create a better and safer environment for the children and to address the on-going issues with the resident next door.
I will address each issue separately.
#1 Safety Concerns: In the past 2 years we have had a number of children hurt from falling down the hill (see before pics). The original hill was 16 feet deep and extended the length
of the fence line, and created a four foot slope down to the concrete drive. A rock bed surrounded each tree. And because of the slope, the grass never grew properly; it became dead
grass and mud, which made the surface very slippery and unsafe for the children. It continued to be difficult to keep the children from playing in that area and I received numerous
parent complaints regarding kid safety. The new environment is much more conducive to child play and much more safe with the rubber bark.
#2. Neighbor Complaints: The first year we were here we did not receive any complains from the neighbor next door and then last year the gentleman had a stroke. Since then we have had
nothing but complaints from him. I have spoken to him multiple times and tried to smooth things over in an effort to work together harmoniously. I have tried to address each issue,
but so far I am the only one willing to compromise. His latest complaint has to do with the removal of the buffer area, which I had professionally installed to address his concerns.
I will address the main concerns he has had individually.
First one is noise. His sunroom is right next to our play area and he would like it to be quiet. Unfortunately, this isn't something that is realistic living next to a daycare. We are
only open Monday through Friday from 6:30-6:30. And only go outside during nice weather from maybe 10-6, with alternating age groups. We don’t go out when it is raining or snowing;
in cold or hot weather we are only outside for a very limited time and we do our best to keep noise at a minimum.
Note, that this is not solely a residential area and will continue to grow commercially. The neighbor’s property is adjacent on three sides by commercial property (a day care, a nursery,
a pizza place and soon a Saltzer Medical facility directly behind them) all located along the very busy highway on Meridian road.
Second concern is the fence. He does not want the children touching the common fence at all. In addition, he was often upset that balls sometimes went over his fence. When I spoke to
him in February he had collected nine balls since last August and was reluctant to return them. With the new addition, there is a 3.5 ft. block wall, three feet from the fence and three
feet higher than the playing area that prevents the children from getting near the common fence between the two properties. By removing the hill and building the short wall both of
his concerns with the kids being able to touch the fence and having balls thrown over his fence are now no longer a concern. In addition, the playing area is all level and much safer
for children to play and the fence is too high for them to throw balls over.
Although the buffer area is smaller than it was originally, the kids are unable to play anywhere near the fence.
I am respectfully requesting to have the new landscaping approved, as it has not only made a much safer environment for the children but has also addressed the major concerns of the
neighbor. This is not something I had planned to do and has cost me a great deal of time and money during this crisis. I am hopeful you will see that I have gone above and beyond to
mediate the neighbor’s concerns, as we will continue to share this environment for the next 12 years. In addition to the improvements I have already made, I am willing to plant a number
of bushes along the fence line which will also serve as more of a noise barrier and add extra privacy as they continue to grow.
Janelle Corora
208-283-6135