Neighborhood Notebook

By JACKIE RIPLEY, TIM GRANT, SHELAINE PETERS and MARLENE SOKOL

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 2, 2001

Community faces $98,550 fine for removing trees

CARROLLWOOD -- Plantation of Carrollwood could be required to pay a $98,550 fine to the county's Environmental Restoration Fund for improperly removing 27 reclinata palm trees over the past five years.

The community was cited last week after an investigation determined the trees were removed without proper permits, said Christa Hull, a county environmental scientist. Plantation has 15 days to respond to the citation, Hull said.

Plantation board president Bill Sanders said in a letter to Hull this week that the palms were a safety hazard for residents and maintenance workers. Sanders has asked to meet with Hull to discuss how the fine can be either reduced or eliminated.

Hull said Plantation can either pay the fine or replace the trees with ones of similar size. Plantation board members said some of the trees have already been replaced. Hull said her office will have to evaluate those replacements to be sure they meet county standards.

Details on Gunn Highway project to be detailed at Sept. 12 hearing

CITRUS PARK -- The Florida Department of Transportation will present its choice for road improvements on Gunn Highway from Sheldon Road to S Mobley Road during a public hearing Sept. 12 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Sickles High School. The recommended alternative calls for building four 11-foot lanes with a raised median, bike lanes, curbs, enclosed drainage and sidewalks.

The hearing will present information about the Project Development and Environment Study. The "no build" alternative will remain throughout the duration of the study.

Lutz Trash Bash offers freebies to volunteer garbage gatherers

LUTZ -- Don't kick that can. Pick it up on Sept. 15 and you may find a treasure amid the trash.

The Community Council needs volunteers for its third annual Lutz Trash Bash, and it's offering an enticement -- free goodies. Organizers will litter the roadside around Lutz with plastic eggs containing coupons worth $1, $5 and $10, and for food from McDonald's and Burger King.

To volunteer, pick up trash bags and directions to cleanup areas at the Old Lutz School House from 7 to 8 a.m. Then, spread out to find the treasures and the trash.

Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and a lunch of hot dogs and cold drinks at noon.

The school is at 18819 U.S. 41 N. For information, call Auralee Buckingham at (813) 949-7481 or Hillsborough sheriff's Deputy Gordon Brown at (813) 264-8950

Lutz Lake-Fern Road may close for repairs during one weekend

LUTZ -- What if they closed Lutz Lake-Fern Road?

That's not a happy prospect if you live in VillaRosa, Heritage Harbor or anywhere along the only east-west road in this fast-growing area.

But that's what the county might have to do for one weekend, at least, as workers replace a cross drain there.

The goal is to improve drainage by providing a better flow for Rocky Creek. "We had promised the community previously that we would always keep the road open," said county spokesman Steve Valdez. "But it looks like close to a $100,000 difference in the two ways we can do the project."

More information will be provided at a public meeting Wednesday , 6:30 p.m. at Schwarzkopf Elementary School, 18333 Calusa Trace Boulevard.

The point of closure, which could happen later this month, would be from the Heritage Harbor entrance to Sunlake Boulevard. Traffic would be rerouted to N Dale Mabry Highway, south to Van Dyke Road, and then west to Gunn Highway.

The total project should be completed by spring. For more information, call (813) 272-5275.

-- Compiled by Times staff writers Jackie Ripley, Tim Grant, Shelaine Peters and Marlene Sokol.

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