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Belleair basks in glory of special visit
By HARLAN WEIKLE
| Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007 |
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BELLEAIR – Following Monday’s visit to the Belleview Biltmore by Gov. Charlie Crist, the atmosphere at Tuesday night’s Town Commission meeting was ebullient, filled with mutual praise for as well as thanks to all parties involved in the lengthy struggle to secure the sale, restoration and now the planned “greening” of the Biltmore.
Two agenda items specifically targeted at the promotion of the partnership between the town and the private investors planning the restoration of the Biltmore – one an amendment to a town ordinance changing the fee structure for development permits and a second proposing a tax exemption for historic properties – both scheduled for final reading at the meeting, were continued until Dec. 4. The reason, according to Town Manager Micah Maxwell, is that sufficient time for public advertising had not been allowed prior to the final reading.
Legg Mason’s Joseph Penner, who attended the meeting to hear the details of the two ordinances, acknowledged the delay and underscored his appreciation for the town’s efforts in lowering the permit fees potentially saving LMREI nearly $1.65 million in fees.
“I hope the ordinance will pass December 4th as it is written,” Penner said.
Of the second proposed ordinance Penner said, “Regarding the town’s decision not to include commercial property in the forthcoming law, I don’t really understand it but I would like to say that the tax credit package at the federal level, which we depend on as an integral part of the financing of our property is a complex process. We’ve hired a group out of Washington who specialize in that sort of thing to consult and advise us on the best way to enact those tax credit policies that we will be doing on the property.”
Penner told the commission that the first year or so, the commercial potential of the tax savings would not be there.
“I don’t think it’s even physically possible to get the construction permits between now and the end of ’08,” he said.
Mayor Gary Katica acknowledged Penner and the other partners of Legg Mason Real Estate Investors for the reception attended by Crist Monday.
“I want to personally thank you and everybody at Legg Mason for a fabulous day yesterday; it was a classic event and I’m sure I speak for my fellow commissioners and the citizens of Belleair when I say thank you so much,” Katica said.
Penner, who was to return to California for the holiday replied, “We appreciate all the support you guys have given us. We’ll be back soon.”
In an interesting concurrence of theme, the commission also passed a resolution endorsing the Florida Green Building Coalition and its “Green City” initiative, which is aimed at improving the long term quality of the environment by exercising alternative solutions for energy efficiency among participating Florida municipalities. The resolution passed 4-0; Commissioner Stephanie Oddo was absent.
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Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007
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