TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

County Commissioners Approve Borrow Pit Setback

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

BALM - Less than a month after flocking to downtown Tampa to show their support for an issue that hits close to home, a group from south Hillsborough County got their wish - at least some protection from the noisy, dusty excavation of borrow pits and the truck traffic that comes with it.

The county commission on Nov. 13 unanimously voted to approve an amendment to the land development code, a revision to special-use criteria for land excavations first presented to commissioners Oct. 16.

The most significant change was a motion to increase the residential setback from 100 to 500 feet.

"We've had borrow pits in our community and we'll have them in the future," said Mariella Smith of Ruskin. "It makes sense to increase our protection."

Smith pointed out that Charlotte and Collier counties have 1,000-foot setbacks for borrow pits, designated areas where contactors can excavate fill to be used in construction.

"It makes sense to put our county in line with others," Smith said.
County planner Steve Allison opposed the amendment.

"Never have I seen a staff propose a five-fold increase in any requirement," Allison said. "Please find some justification. The only justification so far has been that Pasco has a 500-foot setback."

After Marcella O'Steen, president of the Balm Civic Association, presented a study she said refuted claims that increasing the setback was fiscally unwise, commissioners expressed their opinions on the amendment.
District 6 Commissioner Brian Blair had said he worried the 500-foot setback might be extreme, but he voted for the amendment in the end.

"Sixty five percent of our economy is affected by growth and development - that's a fact," Blair said. "I realize our environment is our most important asset and we have to protect it. But extremism isn't a virtue."

Mark Sharpe, District 7 commissioner, pointed out that individuals would be able to apply for waivers of the 500-foot setback in the future.

"I think it's a good balance," Sharpe said.

"We don't just want growth in our area, we want smart growth and smart development," said Kevin White, District 3 commissioner.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT