COMMITTED TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE

TARPON WOODS ENTRANCE & ISLANDS ALLIANCE

3448 Tarpon Woods Blvd.

Palm Harbor, FL 34685

Newsletter #21 – February 2010

Happy Twenty-ten Homeowners! 

It’s hard to believe this volunteer group has existed 21 years as we begin a new decade. Let’s hope we all stay healthy
to its completion. We’re up to our usual request for an annual contribution of $25 to maintain the lighted Tarpon
Woods entrance sign as well as lawns, trees, plantings on two main islands and select common internal areas. This is
no doubt the only cost in the present economy which has remained the same for several years despite the increase in
many of our vendors’ costs. We like to believe it is partly due to prudent use of our small budget.  

The 2009 mailings to residents of Tarpon Woods, Bridlewood & Stag Thicket prompted less than 50% participation for
this ongoing community enhancement effort which mirrors the interest shown in past years. Without an overall
Homeowners Association to legally collect this small amount, our only recourse is to rely on your feeling of pride in
our entryway and community.  

For new residents who may not know the history of this Alliance, it was formed in 1994 by volunteers concerned with
improving a deteriorating 1970’s wooden sign on an ugly entrance. Some of those are still a part of this group!
Donations funded the two-sided granite TARPON WOODS sign. New sod, trees & bushes were slowly added as money
allowed and lawn care was contracted. Holiday lights came much later and the decorating work was done by this
group until the last three years. We hope you enjoyed the display this year which was the prettiest yet.  

In addition to normal maintenance costs of lawn and plant care, fertilization & insecticides, water, electricity,
sprinkler system repairs, the concrete sign base had to be cleaned & new plantings put in on both entrance islands.
All these costs have risen and the level of care we can provide is directly proportionate to the funds collected. The
recent freeze will require extensive plant replacement, unfortunately.  

We thank you in advance for helping us serve the community in maintaining the attractive entrance and other areas
we all enjoy. Please complete the Contribution Form attached and return it with your check to the letterhead
address.  

Thank You,  

Richard Mucciolo, Joan Rahm, Niecie Halfon, Phyllis Parcells, Bob Painter, Colin Swinborne, Ray Jacobs

1/14/10 TARPON WOODS ACTION COMMITTEE ANNUAL MEETING

The Tarpon Woods Action Committee annual meeting of members is: February 19, 2010 at 7:00PM

Location: East Lake Fire House, 3375 Tarpon Lake Blvd, Palm Harbor.

Directions: West on Village Center Drive, from East Lake Road ---this is the corner with the entrance to Lansbrook Golf Course, the YMCA and the Lutheren Church. Drive to end of Village Center Drive, make a left and firehouse is on the left 100 yards from corner. 

You probably noticed the construction signs go up on TW Blvd. for Toniwood Rd. Here is an update from the public works department:

On Toniwood...
1. Pre-construction meeting held on Monday (1/4/10)
2. Message boards are anticipated to be put up tomorrow to advise residents of planned lane closure for Monday (1/11)
3. Mobilization of contractor anticipated for tomorrow with some jack & boring work taking place
4. Next week is anticipated to be the first full week of construction
5. Anticipated construction duration is 3 months

Hi Richard,                                                                               12/9/09 

I had a report of an injured deer  right before the entrance to the golf course on Tarpon Woods Blvd.  It was in the median but managed to walk away.  Will you please forward to your list.  If anyone spots and injured deer (it was a baby) please call my cell phone at 431-2856.   

Thank you,

Barb Walker, Palm Harbor, FL

                                                                                                   6/30/09

Richard:

Per our conversation, I want to clarify what is actually going on in regards to the proposed Rutenburg development of townhomes.

The extension of the building permit which was granted by the Board of County Commissioners in Sept. of 2008, was granted to ALL existing building permits. We made this decision because of the economy and the hardship which would be put on a property owner,  as well as the Building Department staff, to keep requesting permission to extend their permits.

This project has not been given any special treatment, nor have they asked for any. They have also had no contact with the building department regarding the project in a very long time. I’m sure you are aware of the extreme difficulty in financing projects today, which only adds to the likelihood that this project will not be moving any time soon.

The other complication to this whole situation is the  passage of SB360 by the Florida Legislature during the most recent session. This bill unilaterally extended all building permits in the state for an additional two years. Therefore, it will not be coming back to the BCC for an extension in September.

I hope this clarifies some of the concerns. I sincerely thank you for contacting me and want you to have my assurance that you will be notified if or when there is any action with this project.  Commissioner Harris has requested that Al Navaroli  respond to you as well and he will provide time lines and more technical information on the history of this project.

Please feel free to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Susan Latvala

Pinellas County Commissioner

315 Court Street

Clearwater, FL  33756

p:  (727) 464-3276

f:   (727) 464-3022

slatvala@pinellascounty.org

Mark Rutenburg Builders was given an extension by Pinellas County officials sometime in 2007 to build three-story townhomes in Tarpon Woods.  There was a public hearing at that time where residents objected to the variances applied for.  Most of the Tarpon Woods & Ridgemoor residents were against the original approval to build because of severe flooding problems and increased traffic on Tarpon Woods Blvd , Ridgemoor Blvd & East Lake Road , all of which are already overused.  That battle was lost as was the extension of their building approval in 2007.

Now, it has been discovered from Albert Navaroli of Pinellas County Bldg & Development Review Board that ANOTHER EXTENSION HAS BEEN GRANTED WITHOUT A PUBLIC HEARING! This approval and the lack of a public hearing falls under the aegis of "Resolution #08-156 wherein the BOCC authorized extensions of permit approvals based upon challenging economic conditions" per an email from Mr Navaroli.  This extends approval of Rutenburg's site plan to September 6, 2009.  Mr.

Navaroli further informed Mr. Richard Mucciolo, Tarpon Woods Action Committee, that Governor Crist signed Senate Bill 360 which appears to provide extensions of approval for another two-year period.  We accessed this 2,372 line Bill on the FL State Senate web site but are unable to decipher the TECHNOBABBLE todetermine whether that can also disenfranchise ordinary citizens adversely impacted by County & State actions!

There are inadequate roads to carry the ever-increasing traffic in this part of Pinellas County .  This worsens each year because of more people moving into North

County.  Not only will these buildings increase ordinary traffic but construction vehicles will be added to ordinary traffic for a very long time.

The building site is perceived by residents to be a wet area.  The roads & cement structures that will be added will further reduce the ability of that land to absorb water.  The flooding issue has been severe enough to warrant a feasibility study by the County and Swiftmud for several years and solutions are not yet in place.  This construction will only add to the severity.

We are aware of the fact that this approval has been granted to Rutenburg but further extensions of it without the opportunity for residents to present their objections is unconscionable!!!

PLEASE NOTE THIS REQUEST AND INSURE THAT WE RESIDENTS WHO ARE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THIS CONSTRUCTION ARE GIVEN A CHANCE TO BE HEARD.  APPROVAL CRITERIA THAT EXISTED ORIGINALLY MAY HAVE CHANGED DRASTICALLY THROUGH THE ENSUING YEARS AND SO MAY THE

REASONS FOR IT TO BE RE-EXAMINED.

We are against any further extensions...you talk about Governor Crist and challenging economic conditions, while we sit here in this community with challenging Flood Problems, which the County is trying earnestly to address. Did we not have enough problems with the golf course...do we need to bring 400 plus people down to the County? Do we not have a voice in what is done here? In July 2007, many residents protested this original site plan approval only to see it passed.

Sincerely,

William W. Booth  3137 Valemoor Dr   Ridgemoor-Foxberry Run

Office/Fax 727-787-1427

We, who live in The Meadows, who will be affected by the hieght of these condos, where the developer was give permit to build and an extenssion of time is not favored by the Meadows.

We request that this extension be reviewed along with we,the property owners affected and revoked.

Attilio Corbo