Developer hopes bigger lots will work

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 13, 2000

PINELLAS PARK -- A developer who wanted to put 34 lots on wooded wetlands bordering a city park decided last week to start from scratch.

After the Planning and Zoning Commission turned down a request to build a small subdivision on land known as Sylvan Acres, the developer withdrew his plans. Instead, the developer will go back before the commission on Sept. 7 for permission to change the zoning from farmland to residential.

If the change is granted, houses could be built on wider lots than originally planned. Neighbors and horse lovers had objected to the original proposal because they feared the loss of the wetlands and were worried about increased flooding if concrete and houses cover a large portion of the land.

The City Council will make the final decision about the zoning of the property, which borders the northern edge of Helen Howarth Park.

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