County Reconsiders Peck Sink Vote

County commissioners Wednesday voted 4-1 to reconsider the ranking list of engineering firms to tackle the Peck Sink stormwater park project.

As a result, the planning department will begin contract negotiations with King Engineering Associates, with offices throughout the state.

Last week, commissioners opted to consider local firms in the event of tie votes. In this instance, King tied with Hernando-based A Civil Design Group. However, in the tie-breaking vote, King won out.

Commissioner John Druzbick said he still favors using local firms for local projects. He also agreed that a more solid definition of "local" firms is needed. King, for example, has employees who live in Hernando County.

Commissioner David Russell agreed that a "hard, fast policy" be written to deal with firms that tie in ranking for projects.

"Going forward, we need to work up a fair tie-breaker (process) this board can vote on," Commissioner Jeff Stabins said.

Purchasing Director James Gantt said the county would put together a better-defined method for tie-breaking votes to avoid problems in the future.

Also at Wednesday's Land Use Hearing:

•County commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the rezoning of three Spring Hill residential lots, totaling 0.79 acres, for the planned development of two 3,250-square-foot single story buildings with parking.

The property is located on the north side of Mariner Boulevard, north of Hearth Road.

•Commissioners tabled a proposal from an applicant to rezone three Spring Hill residential lots, 3 acres in size, to develop the site with two 8,000-square-foot professional office buildings on the south side of Spring Hill Drive, east of Glenridge Drive.

Planning staffers believe such a rezoning would be inconsistent with the county's comprehensive plan and would be an encroachment to the area.

But county officials and the project engineer will meet to attempt to work out details and report back to the board at its Jan. 14 Land Use Hearing.

•Commissioners voted 4-1 to deny a request to rezone a parcel along Olympia Road and Cortez Boulevard to allow a commercial truck to park on the property.

Commissioner James Adkins said he didn't think a truck would be able to maneuver safely in such a tight space.

•County commissioners Wednesday approved an ordinance amending the capital improvements element of the county's comprehensive plan.

That plan contains improvement projects totaling $308 million.

Florida Statutes require the county to update the capital improvements element (CIE) every year.