Al Lang debate takes new turn

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 15-month effort to preserve Al Lang Field as a waterfront park took a new twist today when the City Council debated whether it should rezone the park but not limit height restrictions at the historic stadium.

City Council members Wengay Newton and Bill Dudley said they would support rezoning the park, but that any decisions on height restrictions should be left to voters.

"This land is the most protected piece of land that I think we have in the city," Newton said. "I do not see why we are circumventing the will of the voters by screwing with the height."

Dudley said voters are intelligent enough to vote against any development they dislike. Setting a height restriction "limits possibilities down the road, and why should we make that decision?" he said.

The debate to rezone Al Lang has been mostly symbolic. The city requires voters to approve any long-term private development along the waterfront. Rezoning the park does not change that. Rezoning the park also won't prohibit the council from redeveloping Al Lang for public use.

But a height restriction would limit what could be built there.

Al Lang is the only downtown park that allows development up to 300 feet tall. The other parks were limited to 50 feet in August 2007.

Changing the height limit at Al Lang Field would merely bring the site in line with the other downtown parks, said council member Herb Polson.

Council member Karl Nurse said he also supports height restrictions.

"It's really about how high are we going to allow a building on the waterfront?" Nurse said. "To rezone it and leave it 300 feet makes a mockery of the parkland."

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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Comments

[Frank]

Councilmen Dudley and Newton, the 300 foot height limit should have been changed in August to mirror the others and was not only because Mr. Mussett and his team knew about the proposed stadium. You just voted for a large structure on our waterfront. Shame on you.

[Mary Russell]

Hey, this is public land. It took a lot of work to ensure the public had an opportunity to enjoy the most valuable resource in our area.

It would be great if the council members would read some of our local history books.

Back in the day William Straub led the charge to buy up all the waterfront property in St. Petersburg. It was an all out effort after the real estate bust. Some of the most prominent citizens in the area worked to buy up the land during the depression and they waited until the then bankrupt city government was able to buy it from them...with the condition that it was protected and preserved for the public.

If we can accommodate a ball park, fine. But, if it means dredging, using the public's land for parking garages and turning our neighborhoods in to trash bins for baseball fans well, you might want to rethink the proposal.

It seems like the city is having trouble cleaning up after the events that currently take place. The residents and businesses create trash that is not currently being recycled. Until the city can demonstrate proper preservation of the environment in its current state-No massive ball park. No more dredging. No 300 foot tall structures.

We need leaders with vision and intestinal fortitude.

We're a tiny little peninsula packed to the gills with people. It's time to recognize the environment we enjoy living in needs our help. We've got the highest density in the state and that's probably due to the fact that we also have the most miles of beaches.

It's time our leaders recognized whose shoulders they are standing on. Recognize where we came from and develop a vision for where we're headed.

The city council's job is to ensure the voices of the people are heard. Work on the vision that creates a bright future four the people in the community and quit selling our community's assets to the highest bidders.

Want to understand vision?

Go to Sand Key Park, stand on the beach and look across the waterway to Clearwater. Better yet, stand behind a high rise on Clwt. Beach and look across the waterway to Sand Key Park.

Want to see a variance in action?

Go to John's Pass and take a look at the parking garage that butts up against the street.

Want to really improve the waterfront?

Clean up the pollution, make a habitat for the wildlife and remove the portable toilets before the sun rises on Monday mornings.

[Clear Direction]

Christina,

Interesting discussion, however, you don't mention the outcome.

Was there a vote?, Has the matter been scheduled for another workshop? has the zoning been changed and the height map remains the same?