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Thorny topics on Port Richey council agenda

The City Council plans to tackle the land development code, marina rules and a Davis Street project.

By PHIL DAVIS
Published September 27, 2005

PORT RICHEY - The city's revamped land development code is first up tonight on a full City Council agenda that promises lots of discussion.

The council was set to tackle the revamped 700-page code two weeks ago, but the issue was pulled off the agenda so the new city attorney could review it. The revised code was written by the previous city attorney, a contentious point that has triggered much council debate.

"I think we're finally ready now to take that first step," City Manager Jerry Calhoun said. A second public hearing and vote are required for final approval.

The proposed code is intended to clear up zoning confusion in the current code that made many businesses legal, but out of line with zoning rules.

Among the other topics up for discussion tonight:

--The council will vote on a settlement to pay former police Chief Bill Downs $90,089.46 in back pay. The city is bound by the June decision of an independent arbitrator, who ordered the city in June to rehire Downs as second-in-command of the department and give him back pay. Downs was fired on Oct. 31, 2003, and rejoined the department at the rank of captain on Aug. 7.

--Council member Jim Priest asked that a controversial discussion of a proposed marina ordinance be put back on the agenda. The council deadlocked 2-2 on the issue two weeks ago. Council member Fred Miller, who could have cast the deciding vote, was absent. Mayor Mark Abbott and council member Phyllis Grae opposed the pursuit of marina regulations. Priest and Vice Mayor Bill Bennett supported further discussion of the issue.

--Priest and Bennett both have items on the agenda related to a Davis Street development project headed by Bennett's wife and former Mayor Eloise Taylor. A request two weeks ago for a variance so two homes could be built on property without filling a drainage ditch died for lack of a second at the last meeting. Bennett recused himself from the vote.

Taylor said without the variance they will have to fill the ditch to build the homes, which has prompted concerns about flooding in the neighborhood.

[Last modified September 27, 2005, 02:45:31]