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Letters to the EditorsLake project must not disturb eagles© St. Petersburg Times published April 23, 2003 St. Petersburg is very fortunate to have a pair of American bald eagles and their three fledglings nesting at Boyd Hill Nature Park. During a public hearing in November, the city promised to protect the eagles during the proposed Lake Maggiore dredge and cleanup project. The city needs to live up to its promise. Let's not throw the babies out with the bathwater. The eagle is on state and federal lists of threatened species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued guidelines to avoid harmful activities around eagle nests. The nesting season guidelines are particularly important because the eagles are raising their young and are most sensitive to disruption. Defenders of Wildlife is greatly concerned by the city's proposed plans for the Lake Maggiore project recently reported by Jon Wilson (Advocates say project threatens bald eagles, April 6). The city already has conducted risky construction activity contrary to the recommendations of the wildlife service. The wildlife service "strongly discourage[s]" the city from continuing with further work during the nesting season and has been advised of the importance of scheduling these activities during the nonnesting season. Recovery of imperiled species is dependent on compliance, not disregard for conservation plans. We call upon the city to protect the eagles by fully accepting the wildlife service's recommendations. With sound resource management at Boyd Hill and Lake Maggiore, eagles and other wildlife can remain an incredible asset to citizens and visitors in this most densely populated of all Florida counties.
Neighbors favor Tyrone zoning change Re: Proposed rezoning of 3200 Tyrone Blvd. to commercial general. I am president of the Holiday Park Neighborhood Association, representing the residents living between 22nd-34th avenues and 62nd-66th streets N (across the intersection from Tyrone Square Mall). Our association members are happy that a developer has chosen the Tyrone area to develop the site for three new restaurants. We think our property values are enhanced due to our proximity to a successful regional commercial district. We also recognize that the area is prospering as a result of market demand for properties in the area, without incentives from the government. As a result, at its Jan. 27 membership meeting, the 45-plus members voted unanimously to support the proposed zoning and land-use changes necessary for the development at 3200 Tyrone Blvd. Our members have seen what has happened to commercial districts that have stagnated. In today's competitive retail environment, it is critical that commercial districts update their appearance to remain competitive. The majority of residents in Northwest St. Petersburg appreciate the benefits of having a strong commercial district. The Tyrone area is designated as a major commercial district for the entire city, not just our neighborhood. We hope the city will support the zoning and land-use changes for the good of our neighborhood, as well as the entire city of St. Petersburg.
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