TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Controversy Continues Over Borrow Pit

ADVERTISEMENT

By B.C. MANION | The Tampa Tribune,

Published: January 17, 2008

LUTZ - LUTZ - The controversy continues regarding procedures used to consider a request for a borrow pit on the north side of Lutz-Lake Fern Road, one-fourth mile west of the Suncoast Parkway.

Stephen J. Dibbs wants to remove 2.5 million cubic yards of dirt from about 50 acres within a tract of more than 300 acres. The pit would operate for 10 years and would be reclaimed with a manmade lake, either within a residential development or a passive use.

Testimony for and against the proposal was presented during a four-hour public hearing Nov. 16.

Attorney Vin Marchetti and a team of experts explained the merits of the request; opponents raised assorted objections.

After the meeting, some opponents e-mailed county officials complaining about the conduct of Land Use Hearing Officer Harold Youmans and Senior Assistant County Attorney Louis Whitehead III and questioning the fairness of the hearing.

Instead of ruling on the request on Dec. 11, Youmans remanded it to county staff, requesting another hearing. He said participants did not have an adequate opportunity to respond to last-minute changes to conditions made by county staff.

A hearing on the request before Youmans has been set for 9 a.m. Jan. 25 on the second floor of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd.

For more details, see the Jan. 23 edition of the Carrollwood News & Tribune.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT