Keystone leaders float new idea for Race Track Road land deal

By JACKIE RIPLEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 30, 2000

KEYSTONE -- Some civic leaders have suggested a new wrinkle for a controversial land deal along Race Track Road.

Calling it "the lesser of two evils," Keystone Civic Association president Steve Morris suggested to county officials Friday that an equestrian center for handicapped riders would be better suited at 300 county-owned acres already dedicated to horse trails than a mile to the south.

Local developer Bill Bishop wants to buy 112 acres of vacant county land for a subdivision. He would pay $1,412,500 and throw in 22 acres immediately to the south -- half of which is a pond -- with a riding facility he would construct.

Some residents oppose the deal because the vacant land is part of about 1,500 acres county commissioners two years ago declared would be set aside for open space and public use.

"If I set aside my dislike for the entire deal," the riding center makes more sense north of S Mobley Road, said Laura Swain, the other civic association member at Friday's meeting at the County Center.

Some other limitations on Bishop's pending deal, such as prohibiting commercial development at the corner of S Mobley and Race Track, were not likely, an assistant county attorney told Swain and Morris. But Deputy County Administrator Pat Bean said relocating the donated riding center might get a better reception. No representative for Bishop attended Friday's meeting.

Ed Radice, director of parks, also suggested that the remainder of the 1,500 acres be sold to the parks department, land that would be preserved as open space for perpetuity.

"That way four or five commission boards down the line can't sell it off," Radice said.

A larger public meeting on the land deal is supposed be held sometime before county commissioners vote on Bishop's proposal May 17.

-- Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 226-3468 or ripley@sptimes.com.

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