 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Talk on mobile homes delayed
By KELLEY BENHAM, Times Staff Writer
LARGO -- Mobile home park residents don't need to show up at tonight's City Commission work session after all. Commissioners had planned to discuss ways to protect mobile home owners in the event that they are displaced by redevelopment. But because Mayor Bob Jackson and Commissioners Pat Gerard and Jean Halvorsen are in the final week of campaigning for re-election, the controversial redevelopment discussion is on hold until after the election March 4. "Everyone is tired," said City Manager Steven Stanton. Commissioners want to keep the meeting short and delay contentious issues until after the election, he said. The city is considering density and land use changes that would make four mobile home parks on Clearwater-Largo Road more attractive and potentially valuable to apartment and condominium developers. The plans could increase the likelihood that Rainbow Court, Belleair Village, Keystone and Skyview will eventually be sold. The city is not buying the parks or developing them itself. The issue will come before the commission at its regular meeting March 11. The commission will vote on incentives for developers such as fee waivers and tax credits, with corresponding protections for park residents. The commission will also discuss whether to send city staff to each park to explain the redevelopment plan and how it could affect residents. Tonight, the commission will discuss an elevated light rail system, a proposed county fireworks ban, regulations on house placement and garage sizes and the strategic plan steering committee. The work session begins at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 201 Highland Ave.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times North Pinellas desks |
