Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

City moves to protect springs

By ELENA LESLEY
Published February 28, 2007

CRYSTAL RIVER - The City Council gave city staffers permission Monday to pursue a grant that would protect the area surrounding Three Sisters Springs.

Local environmentalists are concerned about housing units that are planned for the Three Sisters property. The grant would allow the city to purchase the land around the springs for protection, though such a move would not prevent the planned development.

The grant, offered through the Florida Communities Trust, is for around $6-million.

A perpetual conservation easement already safeguards the area immediately surrounding the springs, but City Attorney Anthony Perrone said he believed the grant would enable Crystal River to conserve even more land.

Perrone said he will be taking bids for prospective grant writers.

The council also passed a motion - for the second time - enabling members to open meetings in whatever fashion they felt appropriate.

Controversy over Mayor Ron Kitchen's references to Jesus during invocation led to passage of a similar motion in December. But according to council member Susan Kirk, debate has arisen over a new issue: standing during the invocation.

Several council members said they didn't need those in attendance to stand during a moment of silence. Kitchen said he wanted them to stand.

Council member John Kostelnick raised the issue and, after some haggling, the council passed the motion again.

"So, hopefully this time it will stick," Kirk said.

Kitchen also outlined his vision of Crystal River as a potential "golf cart community" with golf carts riding on city streets.

Kirk said she had some reservations about the proposition, given the city's heavy traffic, but the council still passed a motion to gather more information.

Elena Lesley can be reached at elesley@sptimes.com or 564-3627.

[Last modified February 27, 2007, 20:03:05]