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On a trolley tour, they and others will examine issues involving commercial trucks, carports and Dumpsters.
By ANNE LINDBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 2, 2001
PINELLAS PARK -- A picture may be worth a thousand words, but an upcoming field trip to get firsthand views of the practicality of proposed rules is sure to give City Council members plenty to talk about.
The idea is the brainchild of Rick Butler, who found it difficult communicating concerns about the effect of several proposed ordinances on Pinellas Park residents.
One revision would allow smaller commercial trucks to park in residential areas at any time. Another would allow carports to be built in side-yard setbacks. The third would force businesses to conceal large garbage containers and Dumpsters when they improve their property.
Before talking about these ordinances, Butler's thought is to have council members take a look for themselves.
It is easier, he said, to stop outside someone's home and say, "Look how little room they have to put a carport on the side of the house" than to tell other council members that some lots are too small to obey the carport ordinance as it's now written.
Likewise, it's not as hard to point to an attractive Dumpster enclosure and talk about the cost than it is to discuss such things in the abstract, he said.
It's also less confusing to visually identify the trucks that can and cannot park in residential areas under the current rule.
The ultimate goal is for council members to understand how their decisions affect real people, Butler said.
"It's going to be an interactive trip where everyone is going to be involved," Butler said. The council also will see how code enforcement does or does not work.
"That's probably going to come up during the tour," Butler said. As it relates to the proposed ordinance changes, "How now as a city are we going to enforce these items?"
While council members will discuss some things during the tour, they plan to hold a special workshop within two weeks after it.
The tour is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. May 12 from City Hall, 5141 78th Ave. N. It will take about two hours. The route is a secret, known only to Butler.
"I do that on our family vacations," Butler said. "Always keep 'em guessing is my motto."
Council members, city officials and members of the public will travel on the colorful Jolly Trolley. The air-conditioned trolley seats about 32 people. The city has reserved two in case attendance is high. Members of the public who want to attend need to reserve a seat by 5 p.m. Friday.
The idea of using a trolley rather than a bus or van came out of another council discussion. Ed Taylor wants to create a "Shopper Stopper" to make runs from some of the city's senior housing to stores and doctors' offices.
Using the trolley for the council tour will give members an idea of how such a vehicle might fit into Pinellas Park, Gustafson said.
Butler said homeowners in some subdivisions have complained that their roads may not be wide enough to accommodate fire trucks or ambulances. The trolley ride might answer that question as well.
"I think it'll be interesting just to get people out there in the field together," Butler said. "I'm looking forward to it."
The May 12 tour will be held from 9 to about 11 a.m. The workshop is open to the public, but seating on the trolley is limited. Those who want to attend must reserve a seat by 5 p.m. Friday. To do so, call Kathy Simpson at 541-0751.