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Letter to the editor

Tierra Verde Marina drops application for waiver of no-gambling clause

By NICOLE BARDO-COLON
Published July 25, 2007

TIERRA VERDE - In what some consider a strategic move, the Tierra Verde Marina has dropped its application to the state for a waiver of the no-gambling clause in its submerged land lease.

In recent weeks residents have been outspoken in protesting the likelihood of gambling coming to Tierra Verde. More than 100 people showed up at a County Commission meeting earlier this month to protest the marina's application to reconfigure its docks. Despite the protests, the commission approved the marina's plan.

Residents fear that retooling the slips might create room for one or more shuttles to an offshore gambling boat. But the marina also needs state approval to begin the reconfiguration.

The application for the waiver in the submerged land lease, which was officially submitted June 11, would allow the marina to operate one or more shuttles to a gambling boat offshore.

"Should they reapply for a waiver of the submerged land lease application, they would need to get county approval," said Harry Michaels, environmental specialist with the Department of Environmental Protection.

He said before it would be reviewed by the state, they would need to get all county approvals. Because it is of heightened public concern, it would have to go before the governor and the Cabinet.

As of Tuesday the marina had not submitted an application to Pinellas County for a conditional use permit, which would allow the operation of a gambling shuttle.

Bill Woods from Woods Consulting, the company representing the marina, wrote a letter to Michaels withdrawing the application. The letter said:

"Mr. Anthony Amico, representing the owners of the Tierra Verde Marina, would like to withdraw their request to have the submerged land lease revised to address the mooring of one or more shuttle craft at the marina. They wish to decouple this issue in order to expedite the permit and land lease processing for the proposed renovation of the marina. The question regarding the moorings of shuttle craft will be addressed at some point in the future."

The marina has a second application to DEP to reconfigure its docks, which was submitted in February. The DEP is reviewing that application.

Nancy Biesinger, board member of the Tierra Verde Community Association, said this is not exactly a victory and that the association continues to monitor the marina. "This is quite the game of chess," she said.

Nicole Bardo-Colon can be reached at 893-8779 or nbardo-colon@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 24, 2007, 21:23:12]