|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
No fireworks for Redington Shores
A plan to fund the July 4 display from private donations comes up short
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 |
REDINGTON SHORES – A last-ditch effort to save the annual 4th of July fireworks display in Redington Shores has failed.
Mayor Jody Armstrong announced at the March 12 commission meeting that a campaign to elicit donations from businesses and residents to fund the display had fallen far short of its $16,000 goal. Only about $2,000 had been raised in time to meet a deposit deadline required by the company that would produce the display, Armstrong said.
The fireworks show had been in jeopardy after Redington Beach and Indian Shores pulled out of a joint agreement with Redington Shores to finance the event, citing budget constraints.
Determined to save the display, Armstrong said last fall the town would go it alone, and she announced the formation of a fireworks committee to solicit contributions from residents and community businesses.
“Without public support, we cannot have July 4th fireworks,” Armstrong stated in a letter sent to residents last November. A donation of $10 per household was suggested.
The mayor was obviously disappointed as she announced the failure of the campaign to the commission.
“This really saddens me, that we don’t have the money to do (the fireworks),” Armstrong said. “I strongly believe we should have a celebration of our independence.”
Parking lot project moves ahead
The commission unanimously approved separate bids for the landscaping, surfacing and parking meter at the old town hall property which is being converted to a municipal parking lot.
Building official Steve Andrews said the palm trees being replaced on Gulf Boulevard would be moved and recycled as part of the parking lot landscaping.
The parking meter system agreed on, which was recommended by Vice Mayor Bert Adams, is solar-powered and will accept coins and credit cards. It consists of one station that will accommodate payment for all parking places. The unit will cost $9,250.
Townhome request turned down
A resident’s request to replace an existing 3-story, 4-unit multifamily residence at 17710 Lee Ave. with a taller, 3-unit structure was sent back to the Planning and Zoning Board after property owners bordering the project raised objections.
The proposal, which required a special exception, had been previously approved 4-1 by the P&Z Board.
Applicant J.J. Beyrouti explained he had reduced density from four units to three and added two additional parking spaces to gain a special exception for increased height. Beyrouti said FEMA approached him initially about making improvements on the property to conform with current flood and hurricane standards. A FEMA grant was approved in 2004.
Dawn Ottley, representing residents of the Shores Condominium to the north of the property, said she was thrilled to see an improved building would be going up on the property, but expressed concerns about potential negative impacts of the project. She mentioned location of the balconies relative to the footprint of the old building, drilling of pilings, and construction debris.
Tom and Steve Azzarelli, long-time property owners to the south of the proposed project, voiced a number of objections ranging from lack of notification of meetings related to the property, to the building’s size and setbacks allowed.
Steve Azzarelli said the new structure’s configuration would “destroy the view of the properties around it.”
“You are stretching the code to make this happen,” Tom Azzarelli told building official Steve Andrews.
The commission failed to approve the request in a split 2-2 vote. Vice Mayor Bert Adams and Commissioner John Branch voted to approve, with Armstrong and Commissioner Casey Wojcik opposed. Commissioner Bob Holthaus was not present.
A second motion to send the matter back to the Planning and Zoning Board for further consideration passed unanimously.
The commission expressed concerns about the Azzarellis not receiving timely notification of meetings. Armstrong also had questions about the property setbacks.
While Adams said he backed the P&Z Board’s findings regarding the site plan and special exception, he voted to send the project back to P&Z after his original motion to approve failed.
Beyrouti had been looking to get his plans approved before the FEMA grant on the property expired at the end of March. Andrews said in a later comment that FEMA had agreed to extend the grant period.
|
Article published on Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
