The Environmental Development Commission okays the project to remove the muck from the lake bottom.
By JAN WESNER CHILDS
Published June 8, 2003
ST. PETERSBURG - The city will move ahead with plans to dredge Lake Maggiore, despite protests from preservationists who say the work could endanger wildlife in Boyd Hill Park.
The project includes the construction of a 1.4-mile shell road through a portion of the park and an adjacent neighborhood and a "dewatering plant" to separate the dredged muck and water. It was approved Wednesday in a 5-1 vote by the Environmental Development Commission. Commissioner Douglas Robison voted no. One commissioner, Michael Van Butsel, was absent.
The City Council approved construction of the road and dewatering plant last year, but it was appealed and sent to the EDC for a hearing. The EDC is a city-appointed board that meets monthly to review projects that require variances or other special permission, or that require city property to be vacated.
Preservationists fear that noise from the dredging equipment and trucks could disturb an eagle's nest in the park and disrupt other birds and wildlife.
"I can't imagine, whether they're endangered or not, what species would stick around?" asked Pat Kiesylis, Florida program assistant for Defenders of Wildlife.
Kiesylis was one of eight environmentalists and concerned citizens who spoke against the project at the public hearing.
The dredging is part of a project started 15 years ago to improve the lake's water quality and reduce pollution into Tampa Bay. The plan is to remove a 4-foot layer of muck from the bottom of the 375-acre lake. The muck contains high levels of nutrients from stormwater run-off, decaying plant materials and other pollution. Those nutrients throw off the natural balance of the lake and contribute to pollution in Tampa Bay, where water from the lake eventually empties, according to city engineer Mike Connors.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to restore a lake that's basically dead," Connors told the board.
A private company will suck the muck from the bottom of the lake and truck it to a county landfill or other disposal site. The project will cost $13-million.
It took several years for the city to secure permits for the dredging. Changes were required to satisfy some of the state and federal regulations, and other permits are still pending.
The dredging is expected to take two years once it starts.
In other business, the EDC:
FAITH COVENANT: Approved construction of a 16,100-square-foot addition to Faith Covenant Church at 150 62nd Ave. NE. The church will use the building for a 630-seat worship center and other facilities. The project was approved by the EDC in February but was appealed by area residents who didn't want the church to close off Hampton Avenue. The church altered its plan and came back for a second approval.
CARILLON: Granted one-year extensions for the construction of three proposed office buildings in Carillon Office Park. Those projects were previously approved but had to seek extensions because construction has not started.
NEW HOUSES: Agreed that the city would vacate a one-block section of 29th Street S and an adjacent alley in Pine Park subdivision. St. Petersburg Properties Inc. wants to use the land to build houses. The site is located between 51st and 52nd avenues S.
MEDICAL OFFICE: Approved the vacation of an alley in the block northeast of 16th Street N and Seventh Avenue. The applicant, Gregory M. Albers, plans to build a medical office building at the site and will construct a replacement alley.
COMMUNITY BUILDING: Approved a special exception, site plan and parking variance for a community building at 1655 16th St. S. The Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free St. Petersburg wants to build its offices at the site.
What is the EDC?
The Environmental Development Commission is a citizens board that meets the first Wednesday of each month to review large development projects. The board reviews and approves site plans and has the power to grant exceptions to city codes for elements of projects that do not conform. Decisions of the commission can be appealed within 10 days to the City Council. After approval, the petitioner has the city's permission to go forward, although further scrutiny may be required by other governing agencies.
