|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
City News Briefs
Article published on Friday, May 19, 2006 |
City council approves four-unit housing plan
PINELLAS PARK – The city council at its May 11 meeting approved a plan to construct four homes on less than an acre of land.
The single story homes would be constructed on a 0.78-acre undeveloped plot at 6501 86th Ave.
The application called for amending the property designation from commercial general to residential urban. The property is surrounded by other homes, vacant land and commercial entity. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval.
A proposal to reduce 10.15 acres of land into seven industrial lots in a light industrial zone located in the 7100 block of 123rd Circle was tabled until June 8 due to opposition from homeowners from a nearby residential area.
Several people voiced concern over possible additional flooding and other problems that may develop should the plan be approved.
In other matters the council:
• Endorsed the purchase of recycled rubber tiles by the city parks and recreation division for resurfacing certain facilities within the city.
• Approved annexations on second and final reading for properties at 10612 49th St., 6051 106th Ave., 6140 107th Ave., 6132 108th Ave. and 6043 106th Ave.
• Introduced proposed annexations on first reading for properties at 12650 46th St., 6163 108th Ave., 6154 106th Ave., 6123 108th Ave. and 6120 107th Ave.
• Gave final approval for annexations of properties at 6154 106th Ave., 12650 46th St., 6163 108th Ave., 6123 108th Ave. and 6120 107th Ave.
• Accepted the resignation of Leroy D. Robinson Jr. from the board of adjustment because he is moving to North Dakota. Named to fill the unexpired term was Elizabeth Herron.
• Reappointed Katherine Egolf to the library board for another three-year term. Gene Lofgren resigned from the community projects advisory board. His replacement has not yet been named.
Fuel costs may cut city’s construction projects
PINELLAS PARK – Skyrocketing gasoline prices are causing city officials to reexamine some construction projects and look for other ways to cut other expenses.
The city’s gas bill is expected to rise by as much as 40 percent.
About $40,000 will be added to the $165,600 budgeted for city police vehicles while the fire department’s $40,000 will inch up by $11,000.
The $37,339 fuel budget for street maintenance vehicles will increase by about $10,000.
Rising gas costs also is creating major price hikes for lumber, concrete and other construction materials.
One proposed $600,000 project jumped to $1.2 million due to fuel costs and a shortage of materials caused by Hurricane Katrina rehabilitation programs.
The price of the 82nd Avenue road widening and drainage project near 66th Street would cost more than $1 million. That project may be put on hold for up to two years, city officials said.
China also is creating a worldwide shortage of building materials due to all of the major construction in that country.
Dan Katsiyiannis, the city’s management and budget administrator, said preliminary studies show that gasoline costs for city vehicles will rise about 40 percent, and maybe more until gas prices level off by fall.
“We are looking at reducing or setting aside certain nonessential projects,” Katsiyiannis said. “We are asking all department heads to conserve gas and think up other cost-saving measures.”
The city also will seek ways to subsidize some projects through county, state and federal funding.
|
Article published on Friday, May 19, 2006
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.
|
|
