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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 13, 2002
After I read the March 3 article regarding the hundreds of trees to be cleared at the old Clearwater Mall (Before you can shop, trees must drop), I started to type a letter to the editor. I was very upset while writing the letter, and intended to revise and send it to the Times.
Since I never sent my letter, I want to thank the St. Petersburg Times for the March 6 editorial, Clearwater moving backward on tree rules. It was exactly what I was trying to convey in my letter.
I really thought we had stricter tree codes. And the few we have, the city will change to meet the developers' needs. The March 3 article made it sound as if we should be so lucky to have these developers, because they could, or they may, or they are planning on giving so much money and are replanting so many trees. Give me a break! I believe they do want it to look pretty, but we will never see our beautiful big oak trees again.
Will the Times please print the city commissioners' e-mail addresses? It's time to let them know we need to change our tree codes.
-- Jan Nierengarten, Clearwater
EDITOR'S NOTE: Clearwater commissioners can be sent e-mail at citycomm@clearwater-fl.com.
Re: Clearwater moving backward on tree rules, editorial, March 6.
I really enjoyed reading the editorial in regards to the plan to cut down close to a thousand trees for the new outdoor shopping plaza in place of the Clearwater Mall.
First of all, I am sure that some would agree that the last thing we need is another strip mall. Unfortunately, the environment and our health doesn't seem to be the main focus for our politicians.
I am aware that currently we as humans somewhat lack in being environmentally concerned, but one can only hope that in the near future this attitude will change. Until then, I think that those of us who find these issues important need to stress the importance of saving Clearwater's environment.
Since Clearwater is a growing community and this means further development, the citizens of Clearwater need to be informed and get involved. As mentioned in the editorial, having more trees is a great benefit for the warmer climates associated with global warming and the increase in air pollution. If we allow the city to change existing rules to cut down even more trees than before, then we will be left with nothing except a whole lot of concrete and no air to breathe.
-- Melissa Lynn Arndt, Dunedin
Re: Clearwater moving backward on tree rules, editorial, March 6.
As a former commissioner of West Palm Beach (1992-1999) during the recent boom of redevelopment in the downtown and inner-city neighborhoods, I well know the challenges facing city staff when making decisions regarding developments and developers.
You are right on target when you say ". . . there is another reason (why developers cut down all the trees): because local governments let them get away with it." Staff of Clearwater will only be as strong as the mayor and commission. It is up to them to take the unpopular (with developers and lobbyists) stand to require the developer to adhere to city codes.
Fear of the development going away is unfounded. Developers will always cave in to the demands of city hall when the development site is worthwhile.
-- Howard Warshauer, West Palm Beach
Re: Clearwater moving backward on tree rules, editorial, March 6.
I cannot believe what the Clearwater government is doing. I am totally disturbed. There are enough places around here in Clearwater that look terrible because too many trees have been cut down. Parking lots are like ovens in the hot weather.
When Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst saw that the mall was being closed, he said he couldn't believe that the mall would not be redeveloped. Now it is going to be and the government wants to loosen the rules about trees.
No, the rules should be tighter. Gulf-to-Bay looks like one big cement block and needs all the trees to beautify the city. I am tired of these development companies always bellyaching about this or that. All they are concerned about is making the almighty dollars and lots of it. The redeveloper should make the mall smaller to accommodate the trees.
-- Charles Pagnotta, Safety Harbor