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Rains help end ban on fireworks
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
© St. Petersburg Times, BROOKSVILLE -- Frequent rains have dampened the wildfire threat in Hernando County, prompting county commissioners to end their two-week ban on the sale and use of fireworks. "We feel that we're safe on the fireworks issue," fire-rescue Chief Mike Nickerson advised commissioners Tuesday. He wasn't ready to recommend that the commission lift its ban on outdoor burning, which has been in effect since April. The board followed his guidance and left that prohibition in place. They planned to revisit the issue again next week. Terry Lenick, a lawyer representing Galaxy Fireworks Inc. of Tampa, thanked the commission for reconsidering its position on fireworks. He asked them to review information from experts explaining why fireworks should not be considered in future bans, and why the Keetch-Byram Drought Index is not a good indicator of potential wildfire activity. Galaxy, which had set up four sales tents during the ban, intends to open for business today, company president Sharon Hunnewell said. In other business Tuesday, commissioners made clear that they plan to forge ahead with an ordinance regulating the design of large retail stores, despite a negative reaction from the county Planning and Zoning Commission. Chairman Chris Kingsley pointedly noted that "we're not interested" in the planning board's recommendations, which were attached to the back of the commission's information packet. Instead, the commission reviewed the proposed ordinance with Planning Director Larry Jennings, pointing out places where they wanted tougher standards and areas where they thought the rules could be eased. They discussed adding lighting requirements and a recommended color palette, and possibly easing the proposed parking lot landscaping demands. The main thing, Commissioner Diane Rowden said, is that the ordinance should be clear so developers understand it. When asked by a developer, commissioners agreed that Jennings should meet with engineers who design "big box" stores to make sure the ordinance is workable. Brooksville lawyer Joe Mason, who represents Wal-Mart locally, attacked commissioners for writing an ordinance that he contended was aimed at stopping Wal-Mart's efforts to build a super center in Spring Hill. He said his clients dread working with the county's regulatory framework and government attitude. "You're creating problems that you really aren't thinking through," Mason said. An engineer for Wal-Mart took a different tack, suggesting language changes that might make the ordinance more viable. Commissioners thanked him for his advice. Also Tuesday, the commission agreed to sell the old Brooksville Hospital site to a Tampa lawyer for $185,000. Commissioners voted to give the proceeds, plus $15,000 from the general fund, to Youth and Family Alternatives for a runaway shelter that will open in Brooksville next month.
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From today's Hernando Times |
