Musical protest against rezoning project in Collier County

Local musicians are coming together to throw a concert protesting a rezoning project in Collier County.

The county is rezoning the Seventh Avenue Northwest area for the proposed Mason Classical Academy expansion. The proposal would bulldoze four homes and 17 acres of land for the school’s expansion.

Musicians gathered on Saturday from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. to protest the future development.

“We’re here today to ask Mason Classical Academy to find a different place to put that school and also to ask our county commissioners to take the stand and stop ruining our beautiful, beautiful county. No more rezoning,” said Richard Conover.

Conover is the organizer of the jam fest. The event is usually held at the Dogtooth, but the musicians moved to make their voices heard with instruments for the rally.

“Kelly Mason Lichter is on the board of that school. She lives just a few streets away from us,” said Conover. “She knows what our neighborhoods are all about. I don’t know why they would want to do this.”