Digest

Rezoning okayed for project near mall

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 20, 2007

TAMPA - The City Council approved a zoning change Thursday for a 1.6-million-square-foot project by Metropolitan Life in the Lincoln Gardens/Culver City area.

MetLife's rezoning was the focus of questions last month about claims that a local neighborhood group asked for money from the developer in exchange for its support.

That led to a city investigation, but it was not discussed at Thursday's public hearing.

Some council members did raise concerns that money paid by developers for alleviating traffic congestion would not directly benefit the residents most affected by the construction.

They decided to further investigate how to ensure the local neighborhood would benefit most from the fees paid by Metropolitan Life.

Jurors deliberate verdict in drug death

TAMPA - Jurors will continue deliberations today after failing to reach a verdict Thursday in a federal drug trial where a man is accused of selling an acquaintance a combination of drugs that killed him.

Brandon Erwin, 30, a former part-time host of the Blue Martini nightclub in International Plaza, is charged with selling Andrew Culver, 35, cocaine and the prescription painkiller methadone, which prosecutors said led to his November 2005 death.

Erwin also has been charged with four counts of distributing controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to distribute. Drug agents said he sold cocaine, Ecstasy and methadone.

Belcher Road project nears completion

CLEARWATER - The morning commute in north Pinellas County might get a little smoother soon.

County officials expect construction of a 2.3-mile, $12.5-million extension of Belcher Road to be finished by the end of August.

The project should be completed according to schedule and within budget, said Peter Yauch, the assistant county administrator.

The new extension, which runs from Alderman to Klosterman roads, is expected to handle 20,000 cars per day.

This could potentially double the traffic on Belcher Road south of the addition at Tampa Road.

[Last modified July 19, 2007, 23:43:24]