County Commission delays decision on sod farm project
Officials want more time to consider a policy change that would allow a developer to build homes near the county's landfill.
By MICHAEL SANDLER
Published December 17, 2003
CLEARWATER - For three hours, they tried to work out a compromise that would allow a St. Petersburg developer to build homes on a sod farm next to the county's landfill.
Pinellas County commissioners leaned closely toward approval.
But at night's end, commissioners held off, agreeing they needed more time to decide on a countywide policy change to the comprehensive plan that would allow residential development on land zoned for industrial use.
They voted 7-0 Tuesday night to postpone the decision until the Jan. 6 meeting.
"This is not the way to do business," said Commissioner Ken Welch, a supporter of the project proposed by developer Grady Pridgen. "We cannot make a change this important ... on the fly."
Commissioners held off voting on the policy change at their Dec. 2 meeting.
Days later, they learned of a letter sent to St. Petersburg officials by the state Department of Community Affairs.
The state agency said it needs information about the potential impact on schools, roads and other services before allowing residential development in an area zoned for industry.
The tract in question is the 130-acre sod farm owned by Pridgen.
Pridgen wants to build townhouses and apartments, along with office space and warehouses, on the property in the Gateway area near Interstate 275.
To do this, he needs the city and Pinellas County to redefine industrial zoning to open the area for housing.
The city of St. Petersburg already approved the change.
But the county is more hesitant, citing concerns about allowing residents to live so close to the county's landfill and garbage incinerator.
Pridgen proposes a 500-foot buffer between residences and the landfill.
County officials recommend 2,000 feet.
Pridgen was represented at Tuesday's meeting by attorneys Tim Johnson and Don Mastry; Dave Goodwin, St. Petersburg's planning director; and lobbyist Todd Pressman.
Goodwin said St. Petersburg must have an answer from the county before its Jan. 26 meeting so that it has time to answer the DCA before a Feb. 2 deadline - 60 days after the objection went out.
One major change being discussed would be to give the County Commission the authority to approve site plans for projects on more than 100 acres that call for allowing residential development on industrial land.
But the commission wants to see something in writing before agreeing to that concept.
"I think you see general support of this whole concept," commission Chairwoman Karen Seel said. "But I believe you see we need to really sit down and work out the details."
