Longer runway likely for Peter O. Knight

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 18, 2008

TAMPA

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority officials will proceed with plans to recommend adding more hangars and a reconfigured runway at Peter O. Knight Airport.

If the authority's board accepts the recommendation during a meeting Feb. 7, the agency will begin a $1.8-million project to add 175 feet of pavement to the runway's southwest end, extending it closer to some homes on Davis Islands.

The City Council doesn't have jurisdiction over the expansion, but some council members tried to stall the effort at their meeting Thursday.

A motion to do so failed, however, with only John Dingfelder and Linda Saul-Sena voting against the project.

TARPON SPRINGS

Wal-Mart dealt a blow to Anclote River plans

It could be back to square one for Wal-Mart and its plans for a supercenter on the Anclote River.

After more than three hours of testimony and discussion Wednesday night, the Tarpon Springs Board of Adjustment ruled that changes to the retail giant's site plan were "major," not "minor," as the city staff had previously determined.

The decision, if upheld on appeal, will force Wal-Mart to go back before the City Commission for a series of public hearings.

It was a striking victory for local activists. A Wal-Mart spokeswoman said the company is disappointed and is trying to determine what it will do next.

TAMPA

City officials bicker over criticism of Ikea

City Council member Joseph Caetano lashed out at fellow board member Linda Saul-Sena on Thursday for demanding that Ikea make its new building in Ybor City more environmentally friendly.

He called a letter that Saul-Sena sent the furniture retailer embarrassing.

"This issue should have never come up," he said. "It was a 6-1 vote. It's a dead issue."

Last month, she sent a letter to Ikea's president on City Council letterhead, criticizing the site plan as a "sea of asphalt."

[Last modified January 17, 2008, 23:44:28]