|
Brooker Creek Preserve marked for future
By SUZETTE PORTER
| Article published on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 |
|
 |
CLEARWATER - The Board of Pinellas County Commissioners took a step toward the future on May 5, approving three measures that better define how land at Brooker Creek Preserve can be used.
In a 6-1 vote, the commissioners, acting as the Countywide Planning Authority, approved three separate amendments creating overlays for lands purchased with Utility funds.
Commissioner Neil Brickfield voted no on all amendments.
Pinellas County Planning Director Brian Smith said Tuesday’s vote came after almost three years of work toward creating a balance on the 8,000 acre preserve for the needs of Utilities and the needs of the environment.
He explained that the land had been paid for over the years using money from Florida Forever, Penny for Pinellas and Utilities. More than 40 percent of the land was paid for by Utilities’ rate payers.
Some of the land was purchased for use as a recharge area for the area’s potable water supply and supportive underground structures. Other parcels had always been intended for above-ground structures needed to support the county’s potable water system, he said.
Smith said a lot of work had been done negotiating with the Friends of Brooker Creek and other environmentalists to try to find a compromise.
Allyn Childress, chair of Friends of Brooker Creek, said the issue was full of “complexities of ownerships and future needs.
“But we understand that Utilities has been a good friend and purchased 40 percent of the land,” she said. “We’re not 100 percent thrilled but we’re pretty happy.”
The compromise calls for Utilities to set aside less land than it originally had asked for to make sure it had the resources needed to supply potable water to the county.
The Pinellas Planning Council objected to the approval of amendments that would make it possible for above-ground structures to be built when and if needed. Director Dave Healey said the PPC was uncomfortable with setting aside 830 acres of land with no plan or justification of potential future needs.
Commissioner Susan Latvala said it was important to create the overlays so the public would understand that the land could someday be used for more than just a preserve.
“I believe the public needs to know what could happen in the future,” she said.
She said creating the overlays should stop the constant battling with the public every time something was built on land purchased by Utilities.
Two overlays were created by the amendments. One outlines the land where wells and pipes would be permitted. The second marks the area where vertical structures could be built.
While, the second amendment drew the most controversy, some environmentalists objected to any changes in land management plans for the preserve.
Barbara Walker of Tarpon Springs spoke against the amendments. She was concerned about a reduction in long-term protection for the preserve.
“I understand there are future uses, but I’d like you to go more conservatively,” she said.
Commissioner Karen Seel said although the overlays made it clear that the land could be used by Utilities in the future, nothing could be done with public informational meetings and a public hearing.
“And that’s not the normal process,” said Latvala. “We added that as extra protection for the public.”
Healey continued to argue the point of the PPC and said the council wanted to be a part of any decision that might be made for future use.
“You’re welcome to come to the public meetings and the public hearing,” said Commissioner Nancy Bostock.
Seel said she wanted clarity on how implementation would be done in the future to make sure the public process was included.
County Attorney Jim Bennett said a phrase could be added to the implementing ordinance to make it consistent with the processes in place for changes to the comprehensive plan.
“We don’t know what the needs will be for water resources in 50 years,” Seel said. “We don’t know what kinds of new technologies will be available. It’s not fair to try to define it now when it is a great big maybe.”
Commission Ken Welch said background information provided by former county administrator Fred Marquis revealed that without the purchases made by Utilities years ago the preserve land could have been the largest mobile home in the area.
“This is a good step,” he said. “I support it wholeheartedly.”
|
Article published on Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
