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Plan for desalination plant passes first test
By ANNE LINDBERG, Times Staff Writer PINELLAS PARK -- A zoning change that would allow a water treatment plant to be built here passed its first hurdle last week. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a proposal to change the zoning on 14 acres of land from heavy commercial to light industrial. The property owner is negotiating with Tampa Bay Water, the area's largest utility, to sell the land so a brackish water desalination plant can be built on the site. The zoning commission's decision is a recommendation. The ultimate decision belongs to the City Council, which should hear the issue sometime in late March. The property at 10450 66th St. N is in the middle of the wells that will be drilled to supply brackish water to the plant. The site also is near the lines that will send the treated water to St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. About 600 feet south and west is the city brush site, where Tampa Bay Water previously suggested building the plant. Council members decided not to sell that land after the utility turned down their request to serve on the board. The plant would pump 5-million gallons a day of drinking water from 14 wells that would supply the brackish water. Brackish water has less salt content than seawater and is cheaper to clean. Plant construction is scheduled in 2003. Tampa Bay Water supplies drinking water to Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties and several cities, including St. Petersburg. Pinellas Park buys its water from the county. In other action, the zoning commission also approved a height variance that would allow St. Giles Episcopal Church to build a 54-foot bell tower and cross at the church. Construction on the carillon at 8271 52nd St. N should begin in March and finish in May or June.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
