The federal money will be used to repave a taxiway and build a parking lot.
By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published June 29, 2004
ZEPHYRHILLS - City Council members Monday evening accepted a federal grant to repave a taxiway and build a parking lot at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.
The grant offer from the Federal Aviation Administration would pay $523,419 of the project's cost of $581,500. The state Department of Transportation will pay for 5 percent of the project, leaving the city to kick in the other 5 percent, or about $29,000.
The city's share is included in next year's airport budget, City Manager Steve Spina said.
In other news Monday, council members agreed to enter a binding annexation agreement with developers of a 300-acre parcel on Eiland Boulevard west of Silver Oaks Golf and Country Club.
The board had hesitated to accept the document - drafted by the developer's attorney - because it contained references to lot sizes smaller than city zoning allows.
S & R Development wants to build some homes on 45- and 55-foot lots in the proposed subdivision. The city's zoning sets 60 feet as the minimum width.
But Ben Harrill, the attorney for S & R Development, said he would remove references to lot size as long as the company has the option to back out of the annexation if its site plans are not approved.
"That sort of still protects my client," Harrill said.
Council members have haggled for months over whether exceptions should be made to the minimum lot size. On Monday, they accepted the formal agreement, which will be brought back for public hearings because it does not address the issue.
"It should be very short and sweet," City Council member Cathi Compton said.
