|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
City seeking ways to improve neighborhoods
By DAVE SHELTON
Article published on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 |
LARGO – The City Commission at its June 24 workshop meeting said it is considering steps to make neighborhoods look more uniform and pleasing by regulating fences and banning parking on front lawns.
The city code amendments, if adopted, would address issues that Robert E. Jarzen, city planning manager, said have led to controversy and problems. He said that cars parked in front yards have caused lawns to die, leaving the soil subject to erosion during rains.
A motley array of fences can cause an eyesore along major roads, he added, and there have been questions raised about where driveways can be placed. In other cases, he showed in a slide-show, additions to homes and unattached accessory sheds don’t match the home on the same property.
Buildings sometimes are just not compatible with other homes in the neighborhood, Jarzen added. He pointed to slides of unpainted cinder block garages next to clapboard homes and two-story garages next to a one-story home.
Commissioner Woody Brown said he has been concerned with cars parked across sidewalks that have forced him into the street during his daily walks with his dog. He said enforcement could be difficult since vehicles are usually gone during the day.
Commissioner Robert Murray added that he was concerned that barring vehicles from lawns might force them to be parked on narrow streets. He said this might create traffic hazards and make it difficult for emergency vehicles to navigate those streets.
Requiring small utility sheds to conform to a house’s appearance might be difficult, several commissioners noted. Mayor Patricia Gerard said most small sheds are bought at home improvement stores and are usually “very nice looking” but cannot be matched to a house’s exterior, except perhaps in color.
“Neighborhoods are different in our city,” Commissioner Rodney Woods said. “While we want to have nice, clean-looking neighborhoods, these changes are going to create some hardships for people.”
Such hardships can be overcome by property owners applying for “hardship” relief from the city.
With a consensus of approval by the city commission, Jarzen said the changes will now be taken before the city Planning Board for review and, if approved by that group, the commission will be asked to adopt the revisions.
In other matters, commissioners agreed with issues raised by city staff over a proposed county-wide requirement that developers provide affordable housing in large projects. The county commission is considering requiring that all developments in the county of more than 20 living units must either include some affordable housing or contribute cash or land to a county “bank.”
Concerns with the proposal are serious enough, city Assistant Director of Community Development Robert Klute said, that as the county ordinance is currently written, he would recommend the city “opt out” of its provisions. Even that, however, could leave the city vulnerable to large projects on unincorporated tracts in the city that would have adverse effects on city utilities and streets.
|
Article published on Wednesday, June 25, 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.
|
|
