Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden plans new Science Village [The Miami Herald]

Aug. 28--The Coral Gables City Commission gave preliminary approval Tuesday for a new Science Village at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

The unanimous decision brings Fairchild a step closer to adding a new two-story Science Center building, a new one-story building for new classrooms, a new shade house and an expanded cafe at the southwest corner of the 83-acre property.

"This is a really big deal. We are very excited," said Nannette Zapata, chief operating officer of the nonprofit attraction.

She continued: "Our scientists work a mile and a half down the road because we don't have the facilities here. Our goal is to bring science to the front. When people come here, they will see what the scientists are doing."

An existing maintenance building would be demolished for the new classroom building, but the footprint of the structure would stay the same, and a nearby oak grove would be preserved.

Zapata declined to say how much the project will cost, citing ongoing negotiations with contractors.

Maurice Donsky, the president of the neighboring Hammock Oaks Homeowners Association, told Gables commissioners that his association supported the project.

"This is a positive for us," Donsky said.

Fairchild and the association agreed to a land covenant that would protect the neighbors from the impacts of the new facilities.

Among its provisions:

--No vehicular or pedestrian access into Fairchild from Campana Avenue.

--Landscaping and the reconstruction of a coral rock wall along the border of the garden and Campana Avenue.

--No increases in height or reductions in setbacks.

--The science buildings will not be expanded to the east.

--No amplified sound from the new science facilities.

--Fairchild special events will include off-duty uniformed police officers.

City Commissioner Maria Anderson praised Fairchild and its neighbors for finding common ground.

"I am happy these issues got resolved," she said.

Zeke Guilford, an attorney representing Fairchild, said Fairchild's four applications related to the Science Village also accomplish several things, including: clarifying the permitted uses at the garden, creating the garden's first master plan and removing inconsistencies in zoning designations.

The city commission will have its final vote on the project in the coming weeks. Construction is slated to begin within two months and finish within the next 18 to 22 months.

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