From Melanie Coleman Simons balcony, you can see the tranquil canals of Tierra Verde.

Manatees drift by year-round, night herons perch in the mangroves and quiet waters surround the neighborhood that residents want to protect.

But Coleman Simon says that peace was threatened when Greenleaf Capital announced plans to redevelop the islands 40-year-old marina.

The proposal called for 399 new dry storage boat racks, new buildings and a three-story restaurant and bar. Residents worried the project would overwhelm the island, increase traffic and noise and disrupt wildlife.

More than double the amount of boats that would be going out of there, Coleman Simon said. We just saw that as a little not a little a lot too much and too high.

Following weeks of community pushback, Greenleaf voluntari

See Full Page