Developers Facing Strong Resistance

About 80 people attended an impromptu meeting of the Keystone Civic Association last week to discuss upcoming amendments to its community plan. ...more

January 19, 2008

Borrow Pit Controversy Continues

The controversy continues regarding procedures used to consider a request for a borrow pit on the north side of Lutz-Lake Fern Road , one-fourth mile west of the Suncoast Parkway. Stephen J. Dibbs wants to remove 2.5 million cubic yards of dirt from about 50 acres within a tract of more than 300 acres. The pit would operate for 10 years and would be reclaimed with a manmade lake, either within a residential development or a passive use. Testimony for and against the proposal was presented during a four-hour public hearing Nov. 16. Attorney Vin Marchetti and a team of experts explained the merits of the request; opponents raised assorted objections. After the meeting, some opponents e-mailed county officials complaining about the conduct of Land Use Hearing Officer Harold Youmans and Senior Assistant County Attorney Louis Whitehead III and questioning the fairness of the hearing. Instead of ruling on the request on Dec. 11, Youmans remanded it to county staff, requesting another hearing. He said participants did not have an adequate opportunity to respond to last-minute changes to conditions made by county staff. A hearing on the request before Youmans has been set for 9 a.m. Jan. 25 on the second floor of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. ...more

January 17, 2008

Controversy Continues Over Borrow Pit

The controversy continues regarding procedures used to consider a request for a borrow pit on the north side of Lutz-Lake Fern Road , one-fourth mile west of the Suncoast Parkway. Stephen J. Dibbs wants to remove 2.5 million cubic yards of dirt from about 50 acres within a tract of more than 300 acres. The pit would operate for 10 years and would be reclaimed with a manmade lake, either within a residential development or a passive use. Testimony for and against the proposal was presented during a four-hour public hearing Nov. 16. Attorney Vin Marchetti and a team of experts explained the merits of the request; opponents raised assorted objections. After the meeting, some opponents e-mailed county officials complaining about the conduct of Land Use Hearing Officer Harold Youmans and Senior Assistant County Attorney Louis Whitehead III and questioning the fairness of the hearing. Instead of ruling on the request on Dec. 11, Youmans remanded it to county staff, requesting another hearing. He said participants did not have an adequate opportunity to respond to last-minute changes to conditions made by county staff. A hearing on the request before Youmans has been set for 9 a.m. Jan. 25 on the second floor of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. ...more

January 17, 2008

Council Seeks Dredging Permit Delay

The city council voted Tuesday night to request an extension from state regulators for a permit application to dredge a new channel to the Gulf of Mexico. ...more

January 10, 2008

State To Pick Up Full Honeymoon Restoration Tab

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to pay for the entire Honeymoon Island beach restoration project, Pinellas County staff informed the County Commission today. ...more

January 8, 2008

Lutz Residents Get Piled On In Dirt Case

It's understandable why many Lutz and Keystone-area residents are wiping their eyes these days. They've had dirt kicked at them, left and right. ...more

January 2, 2008

New Borrow Pit Hearing Needed

Another hearing will have to be held before a ruling can be made on a proposed borrow pit on the north side of Lutz-Lake Fern Road, just west of the Suncoast Parkway. ...more

December 19, 2007

Borrow Pit Decision Hits Setback

Another hearing will have to be held before a ruling can be made on a proposed borrow pit on the north side of Lutz-Lake Fern Road west of the Suncoast Parkway. ...more

December 15, 2007

Official Wants Another Hearing