Group says county growth ignores wildlife

Citizens for Sanity's spokesman says developers' wildlife surveys are intentionally lax. The group asks for a summary judgment in its suit.

By JAMES THORNER

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 23, 2000

LAND O'LAKES -- The scrub jay. The indigo snake. The Florida panther.

Citizens for Sanity argues that Pasco County, in its eagerness to approve development, has neglected to protect endangered animals.

On March 13, the slow-growth activists will wield the animal issue in their efforts to try to freeze development in a county they insist is growing too fast.

In papers filed Tuesday, Citizens for Sanity asked Circuit Court Judge Stanley Mills for a summary judgment in its favor. By granting a summary judgment, Mills would bypass a trial scheduled for May 8.

"We want to end it before it starts. There's no reason to go to trial," Citizens spokesman Clay Colson said.

The lawsuit began with the group's desire to overturn rezoning for Oakstead, a 1,200-home subdivision proposed for 841 acres west of U.S. 41.

Although Oakstead hired a biological firm to look for endangered species on the land, Colson insists the survey was intentionally lax so as not to disrupt the plans of Devco Development Corp., Oakstead's developer.

"They drove by, looked out the window and said, "Nope. Didn't see nothing there.' " Colson said of Oakstead's wildlife survey.

The lawsuit goes beyond Oakstead. It also asks the county to cease issuing all development orders until the county approves a stricter wildlife protection plan in compliance with land use regulations.

Denying the accuracy of Colson's claims, Pasco and Devco will use the March 13 hearing to request the lawsuit be dismissed.

County Attorney Robert Sumner said the state Department of Community Affairs, responsible for policing Pasco's land use regulations, has said nothing about deficiencies in the protection of wildlife.

"I still think we'll win," Sumner said. "DCA had the right to act against us. They didn't do it."

But in case the judge rules against the county, Pasco is drafting a wildlife ordinance, with the intention of passing it quickly with little disruption to development.

Sumner said the ordinance was nearing completion under the guidance of Bill Munz, the county administrator who oversees development. But Munz fell ill last month before he could complete the work.

"The worst thing that could happen is we'd have to pass an ordinance," Sumner said. "We could pass an ordinance in three weeks."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.