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Hundreds of Tierra Verde residents hoping to keep their unincorporated island community intact were snubbed Friday by the St. Petersburg City Council, which cared more about tax dollars than peace with the neighbors. The council voted 5-2 to annex 18 prime acres on the island, incurring the wrath of Tierra Verde residents and the county government, both now poised to fight the annexation in court.
Some City Council members acknowledged feeling conflicted about the annexation, but only two, Jeff Danner and Herb Polson, had the independence to oppose the land grab and Mayor Rick Baker. Danner voted no after asking if the city wants to annex the entire island, as some Tierra Verde residents claimed. Economic development director Dave Goodwin acknowledged the city's comprehensive plan contains a goal to annex all of Tierra Verde.
With a "damn the torpedoes" attitude, the city is now well on its way. Almost a mile of Intracoastal Waterway separates the Isla Del Sol area of St. Petersburg from Tierra Verde, but the water was no barrier to the city's land grab. It just used the Pinellas Bayway to extend the city limits halfway across the waterway. Then it annexed state submerged land to reach the lucrative shore of Tierra Verde, where two commercial development groups that requested the annexation wait to build big projects under accommodating city codes.
Some council members, in explaining their vote for annexation, said the city could gain up to $1-million in annual tax revenue if the 18 acres are developed. But St. Petersburg gained something else as well: an enhanced reputation as an arrogant bully to county residents who only wanted their community to be left alone.
[Last modified: Nov 24, 2008 08:37 PM]
Comments on this article
by Jim
Nov 24, 2008 8:37 PM
I don't see what the problem is. Who got the permission to build in that area anyway. Did anyone try to stop that?
by aj
Nov 24, 2008 2:47 PM
Well folks, you know what to do with the mayor and every council person that voted for this... vote them out of office the first chance you get. Gov is for the people, not just the developers. There's lots of old property to redevelope in St. Pete.
by Charles
Nov 24, 2008 2:47 PM
Double standard. The county will allow annexation but the city will not allow de-annexation. It is time to abolish all annexation until the playing field is leveled. Most property owners want out of the cities.
by Cathy Wilson
Nov 23, 2008 11:00 PM
The City Council vote on the Tierra Verde annexation may have been legal but it certainly wasn't ethical - nor was is responsible stewardship.
Thank you Jeff Danner and Herb Polson for understanding that. SHAME ON YOU to the rest of you!!!
by Gladys
Nov 23, 2008 10:57 PM
How dare St. Petersburg lawfully annex property whose owners have requested it! Those poor, poor other Tierra Verde residents may have to live next door to a CITY. A city that just anyone can live in! The horror!
by Fred
Nov 23, 2008 8:25 AM
What's the procedure for annexation of some one's property? What prevents Pinellas Park from annexing Lealman or areas of Largo, Clearwater and vice versa? It seems nothing the public wants is honored but forced upon them.
by Tom
Nov 23, 2008 7:43 AM
So here come expensive lawsuits that the taxpayers of St. Petersburg will be stuck with. I wonder if Mayor Baker received any campaign contributions from the law firms involved? There goes any increase to St. Pete's tax coffers. Greed rules.
by Fred
Nov 22, 2008 10:38 PM
Just the latest from Rick Baker and his developer "friends".
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