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New Traffic Signal Gets Green Light

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 18, 2009

The following are items of interest from the March 9 Plant City Commission meeting:

The intersection of Walden Woods Drive and Alexander Street is scheduled to get a traffic signal.
City Engineer Brett Gocka reviewed data for the intersection and determined a signal is warranted, based upon both its traffic count and number of reported collisions.

The city has sent a request to the developer of a residential community at the intersection, D.R. Horton, asking the light be installed as soon as possible and is awaiting a response.

Gas Stations To Fill Up On Code Violation Fines

Code enforcement action against two abandoned gasoline stations is proceeding, City Manager David Sollenberger reported.

Daily fines of $100 continue to accrue on violations at the former Petro Mart, 625 S. Collins St. The Tampa-based company did not reply to a July certified letter declaring the property in violation for failure to repair a storm-damaged overhang and maintain a structurally sound building in good repair.

Also, the owner of the former USA Grocers station and convenience store, 1602 E. Baker St., has ignored a notice of violation, with fines slated to be recommended by the code enforcement board.

At the Sept, 9 code enforcement meeting, investigators reported the station, abandoned after the 2004 hurricane season, has windows covered with weathered, peeling plywood. Also, the gas pumps lack protective coverings.

In another code enforcement matter, the ordered cleanup of property at 1404 E. Neil St. is progressing. Facing several infractions related to felony littering and operating an unlicensed junkyard in a residential area, property owner Bobby Fogle is working toward compliance, Sollenberger reported.

Based upon a recent inspection, cleanup is about 90 percent complete. A Feb. 25 court order gives Fogle until April 8 to comply. "We're very hopeful we can get this problem resolved," Sollenberger told commissioners.

City Allows Sale Of Vacant Land

Commissioners authorized the sale of a narrow strip of vacant city-owned land just north of 808 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The city has no plans to use the property, which abuts a vacated alley and measures 27 by 107 feet, City Manager David Sollenberger said in his report to commissioners.

The Community Redevelopment Agency recently acquired property on the northwest corner of the intersection of Ball and Evers streets, formerly owned by Glenn and Patricia Callis, who operate a business at that site, Hydraulic Hose. They plan to erect a building at 808 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and move the business there.

To most effectively position their new building, the couple need the adjacent city-owned parcel.

The couple will pay $7,875, a price established using the Hillsborough County property appraiser's market valuation.

Additionally, the purchase agreement will also transfer to the Callises a 20-by-440-foot strip of vacant land adjacent to the CSX railroad tracks, adjoining the couple's property and the 107-foot strip.

A map recorded in the early 1900s depicts the 440-foot strip of land as city right of way. However, no deed conveying the land to the city appears in records and the city cannot prove ownership until title is cleared. The Callises will pay legal expenses to obtain clear title so the land can be conveyed to them, the city manager reported.

2 Buildings To Be Razed

Commissioners adopted separate resolutions ordering demolition of two condemned buildings.

In December, the city building department issued condemnation orders on the properties at 102 N. Ritter St. and 707 E. Warren St.

The owners failed to comply with the orders to demolish the structures.

A 7:30 p.m. hearing will be held at the April 13 commission meeting to provide the owners an opportunity to oppose demolition.

The Ritter Street property is owned by John T. Hall, Charmaine Hall and Teresa C. Hall, according to records.

The other property is owned by Coretta Deanna Coleman.

City Gets Power Over Swimming Pools

Commissioners adopted a nuisance abatement ordinance tightening regulations regarding swimming pools.

The amendment allows the city to remedy any stagnant pool and assess the property owner for the cleanup.

The ordinance applies to "stagnant or insufficiently treated water, in a pool, pond or container of any kind, which has water in which algae is allowed to grow or in which mosquitoes or other insects are able to breed is prohibited and declared to be a public nuisance."
Sollenberger has said the amendment was spawned by last year's problem with a backyard swimming pool at a vacant home owned by Fran Neilsen.

George Wilkens

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