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Developer proposes homes near springs

By TIMES WIRES
Published February 13, 2007

CRYSTAL RIVER - A gated community featuring more than 300 housing units has been proposed for Crystal River's best-known undeveloped waterfront, Three Sisters Springs.

In a preliminary plan submitted to City Hall late last week, Three Sisters Springs Holdings LLC of Tampa proposes constructing 69 single-family homes and 240 multifamily units on 57 acres.

The area immediately around the pristine and popular spring would be set aside as recreational space, and no homes would be built there, said Kurt Woerner, the city's director of planning and community development.

The Three Sisters Springs property had been considered for purchase and preservation by several agencies, but a deal was never struck.

The spring is known as one of the most pristine areas of Kings Bay to view manatees, although examples of people chasing, riding and feeding manatees have been filmed in the area lately.

Bridge construction to close boat ramp

BELLEAIR BLUFFS - A popular boat ramp and fishing spot off the Belleair Beach Causeway will shut down next week to allow for construction of a new causeway.

On Monday, several regulars were upset to hear that Belleair Boat Ramp Park, 3900 West Bay Drive, will be closed to all vehicles, boats and pedestrians for 21/2 years while the bridge and boat ramp reconstruction is completed.

The $72.2-million, 1.67-mile causeway will replace two existing bridges: one that spans the Intracoastal Waterway and a second, smaller bridge that goes over a relief channel.

Planning board rejects 'green' cemetery idea

The Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday unanimously rejected a proposed "green" cemetery, where bodies would have been buried without embalming.

At the 5-acre tract near Istachatta, the caskets were to be wooden boxes.

That is Bosnian tradition, said Vedad Sakovic, president of the Bosnian Member Association.

"It's totally natural," said Sue Hughes, a Brooksville Realtor who represented the Bosnian group.

But residents of Deerhaven Estates, near the planned cemetery site, worried about crime, public health and religious issues.

City discusses dismay over power poles

ZEPHYRHILLS - The Zephyrhills City Council discussed an issue Monday that might sound familiar in Tampa, where Tampa Electric Co. erected poles in the Egypt Lake area, causing an uproar among the residents.

This time, it's Progress Energy erecting 12 miles of poles throughout Zephyrhills.

Progress Energy held a public meeting on the project in 2002.

The city discussed an ordinance that Hillsborough County passed in 2003 in response to the Egypt Lake problem.

[Last modified February 13, 2007, 06:55:50]