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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Get to know your zoning board

Re: Zoning change was ill advised, letter, Feb. 27

I would like to take this opportunity to put into better context some issues raised by a concerned Safety Harbor resident in a letter she wrote to the editor. The writer was upset that the City Commission voted for a zoning change that the Planning and Zoning, or P&Z, Board was against.

I think the residents of Safety Harbor will benefit from knowing all of the facts surrounding this matter.

The rezoning item brought before the City Commission was for a property located on both the north and south sides of Mullet Creek. The focus of the P&Z Board was directed toward the north side of the property, since little objection was made to the change on the south side.

One concern was that the new zoning on the north side of the property would allow for additional uses other than what the builder was proposing.

Your commission, after a lengthy discussion and public input, split the zoning proposal so that the south side of Mullet Creek would be approved and the north side of the project would be sent back to P&Z for further review. As a matter of fact, a Planned Development Project was proposed for the north side that will tie the zoning and site plan together, which will give the city more input and control over the project and hold the developer accountable.

The new zoning south of Mullet Creek calls for a small office building across the street from Cumberland Farms, which is an established commercial property. The letter writer suggests this new zoning will allow "anything" to be built there, including a gas station.

However, the new General Office zoning is restrictive in its uses and will not permit such an intensive use of the property, including a gas station, which would require a different commercial designation.

The second item the letter writer voiced concern about relates to an appointment to the P&Z Board. Her concern is that a conflict of interest will exist because a newly appointed P&Z member is a general contractor.

First, let's remember that the function of our P&Z Board is to review and comment on development and zoning applications. Florida state statutes and city ordinances require that some members of the P&Z Board have a technical background, which includes professionals such as architects, engineers, etc. This system is designed so that citizens with relevant backgrounds can check the work of our city staff.

Your commission had a lengthy discussion on the appointments to our P&Z Board and only one member of the commission voiced a concern about a conflict of interest. It should be pointed out that the state of Florida has very clear standards relating to any potential conflict of interest. Any member that could financially gain from a project must refrain from voting.

Three motions were made before our commission reached a decision on the new makeup of the P&Z Board. In the end, one new alternate was added because he met two requirements: He is a resident of the downtown district and he has a technical background.

I do want to point out that I agree with the letter writer on two big items. We all want to make sure the proposed school bus depot is not built in Safety Harbor, and all citizens should get involved so they can learn firsthand how our city's decisions are being made.

Joseph Ayoub, Safety Harbor city commissioner

Goodwill housing not welcome

I am a "snowbird" and a member of the board of directors of Donovan's Park, a resident-owned community in Clearwater since 1922. Recently, our park and residents of a nearby park, Embassy (about 400 residents total), have demonstrated in opposition to the Goodwill Industries acquisition of nearby property to house released inmates (now a 300 count, up from 230). This area also includes residents of Whitney Road and businesses at Tri-City Plaza.

We have petitions with more than 400 signatures, and we've e-mailed and phoned Gov. Charlie Crist's office, the state Department of Corrections, our state senator and representative, Pinellas County executives, Largo commissioners, etc. To date, our only replies are: "This is not in our jurisdiction," or "This is allowable in the zoning interpretation."

My questions are:

- How can this occur with absolutely no public input?

- Why are 300 inmates being released in Pinellas County, the smallest county in the state?

- What is the nonprofit status of Goodwill?

I have sent a history of our park to your editor at your request; it has not been printed.

Most of our residents are well over the 55-year age limit for our parks. We realize and understand the need for rehab centers. Many of us have had family members and loved ones with drug and alcohol problems and have had to find our solutions. We need some help to preserve our community, but apparently the governmental institutions don't recognize our needs. Is there something that the St. Petersburg Times can do for us? We have had very limited coverage.

Joan Brewer,Clearwater

Re: Clearwater faces tough choices to cut $9M in budget,story, Feb. 28

Which is it: Cut or pay for?

I am mystified by the opening statement in this story, apparently made in Brave New World "new-speak" (my apologies to Aldous Huxley): "Clearwater City Manager Bill Horne said there's one way to shave more than $9-million in expenses from the budget without layoffs or shutting down recreation centers and libraries: raising taxes."

I admit that the rest of the article could have contained explanatory phrases, et al., but I didn't feel capable of understanding all of it until I could cope with shaving $9-million of expenses from the budget by raising taxes enough to pay those $9-million of budgeted expenses. Once I've mastered that technique, I'll feel prepared to "press on irregardlessly."

R.J. Radford, Clearwater

[Last modified March 4, 2008, 22:15:14]