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Letters to the EditorsBehemoths at beach are height of absurdity© St. Petersburg Times published July 14, 2002 Treasure Island's proposed land development regulations are the biggest land grab since the Oklahoma Land Rush. The problem for Treasure Island's residents? The city government appears to be working for the "Sooners," that is, the developers who stand to profit at the expense of the residents. Treasure Island is ready to push through regulations that would nearly double the allowable height and density of buildings. What does the city get? For every story of extra height allowed (about 10 feet) an additional setback of a foot or two would be required. Talk about math that doesn't add up. These proposed changes have been pushed by builders, developers and other special interest groups. The changes will negatively impact the city's beaches, wildlife, sewer and water systems, fire, police and other services. It doesn't take a genius to know the city will have to dramatically improve the infrastructure to handle the increased traffic, sewage, etc., and that residents will be saddled with the bill. There is a petition circulating in Treasure Island to have the proposed LDRs put to a vote of the people. Make your voice heard in City Hall: Sign the petition to let the city's officials know where you stand.
Please take time to help wild catsSummer is here and so is the pathetic multitude of homeless cats. I can drive down any street or walk near my park at dusk and see them. Why anyone buys cats from a breeder or pet store is beyond me because the streets are an open market for pets. When I moved to St. Petersburg, my area had many feral cats. I fed them, very slowly caught them and took them to my vet. Some were too ill to save but the rest are now in safe, indoor homes. So much for people thinking feral cats do not make good pets. For 10 years our neighborhood was free from strays because I took the time and had the empathy to change a sad situation everyone else chose to ignore. "Oh, they like out it outside," I heard. Sure. Rodent cancer from eating rodents, fleas, worms and the everyday stress of finding food and water? Please take the time to help these animals. The shelters cannot do it alone anymore. And it is unethical for animals to keep paying for human callousness.
Condo blight? More like brought to lifeRecent criticism that downtown St. Petersburg has become an enclave for the rich or is suffering from "condo blight" is misguided. There are many neighborhoods in St. Petersburg that have waterfront homes, but in downtown and the adjacent areas of the Old Northeast and Old Southeast the city has done the best job of keeping the waterfront open to all. None of the recent high-rise condominium projects, either built or planned, intrudes one inch on the waterfront. Along Beach Drive they are all at least a block away from the water. This is hardly the case in other waterfront neighborhoods, where one is unlikely to get so much as a glimpse of the water, much less access. I live downtown, and did so before any of the new condos went up. They have not degraded downtown, but rather have brought to it new life and vigor, and without taking anything away from the waterfront. For two decades, downtown lay almost fallow, with little to no new investment in housing. Then a few small townhouse projects were built, followed by two condominium buildings that went up on vacant lots on Beach Drive. New, locally owned shops and restaurants were included in the new buildings. Instead of complaining, here's my suggestion: Get a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at the cafe that occupies the corner of one of the new high-rises, take it outside and enjoy downtown and its marvelous (public!) waterfront.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks Letters |
