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Utility asks Pinellas Park's approval for desal plant site
By ANNE LINDBERG, Times Staff Writer PINELLAS PARK -- Council members last year refused to sell city land for a desalination plant after the water utility rejected their demand of board membership. But Tampa Bay Water still wants to locate its treatment facility here and has found another site -- if the city approves. The zoning commission on Thursday will consider rezoning 14 acres at 10450 66th St. N from heavy commercial to light industrial. The commissioners' decision is a recommendation. The ultimate say belongs to the City Council, probably in late March. The property is about 600 feet south and west of the previously proposed location at the city's brush site, in the middle of the wells that will be drilled, Tampa Bay Water spokeswoman Michelle Robinson said Monday. The new site also is near water lines to St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, which will buy the water that's pumped from the area. Tampa Bay Water does not own the site but is negotiating for its purchase, Robinson said. The zoning change is being requested by the owner, Boca 201 Corp. of Boston, because it feels the new zoning would make the property more marketable. Tampa Bay Water, the area's largest utility, supplies drinking water to Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties and several cities, including St. Petersburg. Pinellas Park buys its water from the county. The desalination plant would pump 5-million gallons of drinking water a day from 14 wells that would supply the brackish water. Plant construction is scheduled to begin in 2003. Tampa Bay Water first wanted to build the plant on about 2 acres of the 7-acre city-owned site at 102nd Avenue N and the Cross Bayou Canal. But Council members wanted a seat on the utility's board in return. At the time, Ed Taylor said he would vote against such a site in Pinellas Park unless the city got a board seat. The current proposal is listed as "quasijudicial," meaning council members are barred from commenting until the item comes before them as a body. Also scheduled for zoning commission review is a request from St. Giles Episcopal Church to build a 54-foot bell tower and cross, about 14 feet higher than allowed in the city code. The carillon will be in a freestanding building at the church, 8271 52nd St. The Rev. John Hartnett, pastor of St. Giles, said it will be known as the Memorial Bell Tower because people have donated money for it in memory of their loved ones. Construction should begin in March and finish in May or June, he said. The hours and frequency of the music and bells will depend on city's rules, Hartnett said. Ideally, the church would like to have set times daily for 15-20 minutes of hymns, plus the hourly chiming. If you're interestedThe Pinellas Park Planning and Zoning Commission meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the council chambers, City Hall, 5141 78th Ave. N. The meeting is open to the public. For information, call Tim Caddell, 541-0721.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
