December 21, 2004
Tampa citizens shut out of development meetings
The City of Tampa met with developers yesterday to plot ways to allow the builders to get around rules that require new and improved roads to accompany developments that increase traffic loads. The public was not invited, because as soon as citizens get involved in these kinds of decisions, developers are often forced to do the right thing, and that can really eat into profits.
Developers want to put the brakes on city rules proposed to ease traffic that new homes and businesses bring.Concerns about the proposal prompted the city this month to delay closing a loophole that allows some developers to dodge expensive road work.
Limiting the potential cost and the public's involvement in picking road improvement projects were among issues raised at a meeting Monday between city officials and more than 15 of Tampa's top development lawyers.
One of the lawyers' requests was that developers' appeals of road work requirements be made to a city staff member or hired mediator, not at a public meeting before the Tampa City Council.
Yeah, we don’t want the public involved in decisions that directly impact our quality of life. That would just be silly.
Posted by Norwood at December 21, 2004 08:18 AM