Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Planning code shouldn't be this flexible

This letter is prompted by the recent approval of a project in Clearwater's Island Estates on Skiff Point, where the developer has purchased two parcels of property in the cul-de-sac: a duplex and a triplex. The developer is demolishing these structures and replacing them with a four-story-over-parking, 71-foot-tall, 15-unit condominium that has only 1.5 parking spaces allocated per unit and no provision for guests or service vehicles. What family buyer will have just one car with unit price tags of more than $800,000?

The flexibility in variances for this application, which was recommended for approval by the city Planning Department and granted by the Community Development Board, for front, side and rear setbacks as well as height appears to be way beyond the size, scale, bulk and height of adjacent properties, thus failing to meet criteria outlined in the city code. The highest surrounding property with a Skiff Point address is less than half the height at 33 feet, and there is already a serious parking problem on this street.

We implore city officials to provide better oversight of the Planning Department and direction to the Community Development Board. We urge the City Council to review and/or modify our city's development codes to ensure strict adherence to the criteria for general standard and flexible development, while removing ambiguities from the code.

We also strongly encourage the City Council to change minimum parking requirements to reflect the current needs of today's multicar families. (The national average for cars per family is 2.4). Don't we have enough problems with parking now on Clearwater Beach?

Without this oversight and recommended changes, profit-minded developers will continue to take advantage of any flexibility given them, regardless of the impact on neighbors or communities.

And once they have sold out their projects, they will move on to others. It will be the owners and taxpayers who will be living with and paying for cleaning up the aftermath of the city's failure to ensure the proper planning for infrastructure, parking and the preservation of a community's unique character.

Island Estates Civic Association

Re: Neighbors protest crematory, story, June 29.

Please explain how this is for the greater good of the community.

If you are talking about economic development, who in the community will benefit from a crematory of this size?

If you are talking about best use of land, who will benefit from this land use?

If you are referring to the general population of the community of Largo, in what way will they benefit?

The land use is designated "institutional," but how is a large, profitable industry allowed to be considered "institutional"?

As a citizen of Largo and of the United States, I am concerned about the words that industry is using to manipulate the government to gain the rights that were originally intended for the individual.

Ridership, not cost, key for transit systems

Re: Shaky rail plan gets vote of confidence, story, June 14.

The issue of a well-managed public transportation system for Pinellas County has to receive more attention from our public officials and media.

It is disappointing to me when I hear politicians and local transportation professionals giving their ideas about a cost-efficient public transportation system. A public transportation system that has high ridership is one that provides prompt, widespread service for the transportation district and clean, well-maintained equipment with a low crime rate for its riders.

The common thread that runs through successful transit systems is short wait times for the riders - an average 10 to 15 minutes at a stop.

I believe there are similar transit districts like Portland, Ore., and Salt Lake City that have integrated train and bus service and gotten high ridership numbers. From what I have heard, riders love the short wait times and extended hours of availability these districts feature.

How about having those Pinellas transportation professionals work on finding an applicable model to develop a system that will be widely accepted and utilized by its citizens and guests?

All of us must remember that public transportation is a service to the citizens and guests of the community - not to mention the relief it will bring to our congested roadways - and is not for financial profit.

[Last modified July 1, 2005, 01:24:21]