Legislator reverses stance on bill

A bill sponsored by Rep. Frank Farkas would have allowed a St. Petersburg developer to save millions of dollars.

By CARRIE WEIMAR
Published February 23, 2006

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ST. PETERSBURG - Rep. Frank Farkas said he won't sponsor a bill exempting developer Grady Pridgen from local development laws after all.

Farkas, R-St. Petersburg, said he did not want to proceed without the support of local governments. After talking to government leaders Thursday, he said he did not have that support.

"I've always maintained that I wouldn't go forward unless the local communities were on board with it," he said.

Farkas said he won't file the proposed bill, nor will he try to introduce Pridgen's plan as an amendment to another bill.

Pridgen, who is developing the last large tract of vacant land in Pinellas County, refused to comment.

"We're not talking about that today," Pridgen said, leaving a meeting with Gov. Jeb Bush Thursday afternoon. "I haven't talked to anyone."