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Planners hold off increasing wetland setbacks to 50 feet
Officials on city-county panel say they want to study further what the change would mean.
By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published February 6, 2007
TAMPA - The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission wasn't ready Monday night to sign off on a proposal to increase wetland setbacks from 30 feet to 50 feet. Commissioners said they hadn't seen scientific proof it would do any good. Instead, they talked about creating a committee to explore what the increase would mean for Hillsborough property owners and developers. They did so at the suggestion of Dan Blood, interim director for the county's Planning and Growth Management Department. Blood wants the committee to develop a technical manual creating buffer zones tailored to specific wetlands. Commissioners Seth Boots, Jerry King and Edward Giunta were against proceeding. "We've gotten shoddy data at best," Giunta said. "I haven't heard a study before us to justify creating a technical manual." Hillsborough's comprehensive plan requires the Environmental Protection Commission to evaluate setbacks needed to maintain "the hydrological and biological integrity of wetlands and water bodies." In January, the EPC recommended 50-foot buffers, citing practices outside Florida. The EPC noted that two state agencies - the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - recommend 55-foot buffers. On Monday, about 10 people spoke out against the increased setback, including lawyers, a real estate association representative and private landowners. About 12 spoke in favor of the change. Many more sat in the gallery wearing lime green and yellow signs that read, "Protect my land and water. Setback 50-feet. It's right! It's responsible!" Among the supporters was Marilyn Safian of Sun City Center, who pointed out that wetlands offer protection from flooding. "Flood prevention is good for business, and wetlands are a good prevention of flooding," she said. A final vote on forming a committee to create a technical manual will take place at the Planning Commission meeting Monday. Kevin Graham can be reached at 813 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com. Fast Facts: Useful terms Wetlands: A body of water with many uses. It creates a buffer against wind and flooding, contributes to fresh water supplies, and provides a wildlife habitat. Setback: A specified distance separating construction activities from wetlands. Buffer zone: A vegetated setback, consisting of natural and managed areas, used to protect an ecosystem from adjacent land uses or sources of pollution. Source: Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission
[Last modified February 6, 2007, 06:19:23]
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by Ron
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02/07/07 03:56 PM
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Once again, we find the Hillsborough City-County Planning Commission and the Planning and Growth Management staff essentially in agreement that these measures should be taken. Will the BOCC support this initiative or again line up with developers?
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by Jane
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02/06/07 02:56 PM
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It's the little things we do that will pay off dividends later. Alaska made a huge inpression on me with their signs, "Cigarette butts are litter, too." Forget the money that can be made, do the right thing.
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by Rich
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02/06/07 07:37 AM
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It is clear that this would be a benefit to the citizens of Hillsborough County to protect the bay, their homes, their economy. It will also cut into developers profits. Therefore, the committee is created to allow time for disposing the proposal.
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