The Latest News on Annexation:
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Update - Sept 19th 2007: City
of St. Petersburg resubmitted annexation proposal which now also
includes both Executive Drive and Homestead Suites.
details here in
pdf format
August 2007: A Public hearing is scheduled for
September 13th regarding the City of St. Petersburg's plans to annex a
portion of Feather Sound referred to as Executive Drive.
Details here in pdf format
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October 29th, 2004 -
Letter from Rick Baker, Mayor of St
Petersburg.
City of St Petersburg Notice of Public Hearing - Tues Oct 5th, 2004.
4:00pm, City Hall. Application to Establish Future Land Use Plan and
Zoning Designations for Recently Annexed Property.
Full text and Maps
Letter
received by email on September 13th 2004 from the Bullard Group.
I have received numerous calls asking about all of the improvements
taking place on our entry roads (Egret Blvd, Lake point Drive, Heron Blvd,
and Whisperwood Drive). When this property was developed, approximately 30
years ago, it was intended that these roads be dedicated to the community,
however they were not deeded due to an engineering oversight or some other
reason of which I am not certain.
Read the rest of the letter here.
A public hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday August 17th
2004
has been postponed until Tuesday Oct 5th 4 p.m. 2004 and will
be combined with a similar land use and zoning hearing for the
commercial property annexed by the City of St
Petersburg around the Egret entrance to Feather Sound.
Photos and more about this public hearing
Letter from Pinellas County
Vice Chairman John Morroni - Annexation of Feather Sound On July 18,
you sent me an email expressing concern about annexations in the Feather
Sound area. As you are aware, the City of St. Petersburg has annexed a
commercial area on Ulmerton Road, which is south and east of Heron
Boulevard. The owner of this property was willing to have his property
annexed apparently in exchange for certain financial incentives offered by
the City. I should note that our County did pose several questions to the
City regarding this annexation as to its appropriateness and the ability
of the City to serve..
The St Petersburg planning
department reported that there were no letters, emails, calls or
correspondence regarding this annexation except for a letter from Pinellas
County stating their concerns and objections to this annexation. The
annexation process was final 30 days after the final hearing of July 15th.
Public Notice of Annexation by City of St Petersburg ( July 2004)
..."Take
the annexation of Feather Sound, for example. It is one of Mayor Rick
Baker's fondest long-term hopes. But Feather Sound, of all places, should
be painfully sensitive to the idea of the government cracking down on
citizen protest. After all, the residents there did a beautiful job of
using their First Amendment rights in recent months to protest the
shafting they got over the expansion of the county airport. So Feather
Sound folks, be warned: You are being wooed by a city and a mayor that
want your houses on its tax rolls, and your dollars in its pocket - but
not your opinions. Once we get you, you'd better protest only in
city-approved locations."...
By HOWARD TROXLER, Times
Columnist
Published July 27, 2004 |
Should Feather
Sound be annexed by St. Petersburg? Rick Baker, Mayor of St. Petersburg is
asking Feather Sound residents this question. The text of his letters dated
October 29th, 2004,
November 4th 2003 and December
23rd 2003 are presented below. The November 4th letter
states that property taxes in St. Petersburg are less than in Feather
Sound. This is correct, however there are other costs that need to be
considered. Residents of the City of St. Petersburg are charged taxes on
utilities including electric at a rate of 16%. If a home electric bill
averages $150/month or $1,800 a year then a 16% tax on the bill would be
$288. This is significantly higher than the property tax difference for
most property owners. It appears that most property owners would pay more
taxes if Feather Sound is annexed by St Petersburg.
Pinellas County Assistant County
Administrator Mark Woodward has prepared a comprehensive analysis of the
costs.
The City of St Petersburg has now prepared a similar cost
analysis which is included in several pages of information being
distributed in the meetings being held with residents. The City's analysis
shows that the cost of annexation to residents will increase under each of
the four taxable value examples presented. The increases range from 4.5%
for homes with a taxable value of $200,000 to .9% for homes with a taxable
value of $500,000.
The first of several informal discussions initiated by St Petersburg city
officials was held on Tuesday evening November 18th with residents of
LakePointe Villas, a homeowners association in Feather Sound. Present at
the meeting were Mayor Rick Baker, three other city officials and 7 Lake
Pointe residents. Topics of discussion included issues regarding the
airport, garbage and sewer services, lighting, water quality, roads and
mailing address changes. City officials asked residents at the meeting
what they would like to see improved in these areas. Residents generally
agreed that if annexation were to come to a vote they would like to see a
document stating the improvements in services that would occur. Promises
made before a vote that were not kept afterward would be unacceptable.
Documents distributed by the city officials at this meeting
may be viewed below.
The eighth discussion group was conducted on Monday December 15th 2003.
A full report on this meeting can be
viewed here.
One of the most common issues with Feather Sounders is the condition of
the roads, especially at the Egret entrance by the Choice Food Market. It
should also be of interest to Feather Sound residents that Steven Spratt,
Pinellas County Administrator wrote a letter to the Board of Directors of
the Feather Sound Community Services District (FSCSD), dated October 24th, 2003
which proposes a solution to this problem. An aerial map enclosed with the letter can be
viewed by those with high speed Internet connections as a
large image file (311KB) or a
very large image file
(1,709KB). At a meeting of the FSCSD held Monday, November 17th, 2003 the
board voted to respond to Pinellas County Administrator, Steven Spratt in
favor of the proposal. (Response to
Steven Spratt)
The letter from the City of St Petersburg also suggests that improvements
could be made to the entrances to Feather Sound. The entrance at Feather
Sound Drive across from the new Publix was recently improved with
landscaping, lighting and a new fountain
at the cost of approximately $150,000. Improvements to the entrance at
Egret may be considered by the FSCSD pending a
resolution of the road improvement projects proposed by Pinellas County.
Another
improvement the FSCSD has recently initiated is
the replacement of all the fiberglass
light poles and fixtures under the control of the taxing district.
Florida Progress has now replaced the old poles with attractive concrete
composite poles and fixtures.
John Morroni,
Pinellas County Commissioner, former board member of the FSCSD and Feather Sound
resident has stated that he will be discussing with Pinellas County
Administrator Steven Spratt the possibility of holding a meeting for
Feather Sound residents to provide information regarding
annexation issues.
Letter
from Commission John Morroni regarding annexation.
|

CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG
Office of the Mayor
Rick Baker,
Mayor
October 29, 2004
Dear Feather Sound Resident:
It has been
awhile since I last corresponded with the Feather Sound Community and I
want to provide you with an update about annexation activities that ate
taking-place in and around Feather Sound. Over The past several months I
have learned a lot about your community through individual contacts and
the numerous neighborhood "coffees" that we have conducted. Our
discussions have been frank and honest, and I appreciate the candor of the
sentiments expressed. Thank you for inviting us into your community and
taking the time to talk with us.
From the
beginning of this discourse, I have always maintained it is the City's
position that annexation would be proposed only if there is clear support
for annexation in your community, and only if it makes sense for the City.
To this end, I have been delighted by the reception we have received to
date, but the City has made no decision whether to seek additional
annexation at this time.
One of the
issues that came out in our discussions was the need to improve the visual
quality of the Heron and Egret Drive entrances to Feather Sound and to
improve the roadway surfaces. In response we have annexed, through the
cooperation of two property owners, a portion of the Ulmerton Road
commercial frontage and the associated roadways including Heron and Egret
Drives. On August 14th of this year, we assumed ownership and maintenance
responsibility of those roadways. On August 16th , work commenced on the
installation of the entryway beautification
and maintenance project which includes landscaping, decorative
streetlighting, and resurfacing of the roadways. The total budget for this
project is $425,000. Please excuse us for any inconvenience the project
may have caused you during the construction phase. We hope you are pleased
with the results and welcome your comments.
The Weedon
Island Preserve South has been in the City since the 1920's. As you may
know, earlier this year we annexed the Weedon Island Preserve North which
is located north and east of Feather Sound. We are excited about becoming
a partner with the State of Florida and Pinellas County in the continued
protection and management of this valuable and pristine natural resource.
I look
forward to further discussions with you and your neighbors regarding the
future of Feather Sound and the City of St. Petersburg. If you would like
to participate in discussions, please contact Gary Jones at 893-7877. It
has been a pleasure getting to know your community.
Sincerely,

Rick Baker
Mayor
CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG, PO. BOX 2842, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33731,
TELEPHONE (727) 893-7201
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CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG
Office of the Mayor
Rick Baker,
Mayor
December 23, 2003
Dear Feather Sound Neighbor:
On November
4th, I wrote you to let you know that in response to inquiries from
some of your neighbors, we intended to have small "coffee" gatherings in
your community to discuss the possibility of an alliance between St.
Petersburg and Feather Sound.
We have now held a number of
coffees throughout your neighborhood, but we have received more requests
from hosts than we have been able to accommodate before the end of the
year. In order to meet their requests we will continue these coffees
through the first couple weeks in January.
I had promised to report back
to you in December so, even though we have not completed our initial
review, I want to give you an update. I have personally attended most of
the coffees and have found them to be terrific, candid discussions about
your community. My impression is that your neighbors are very proud of the
Feather Sound neighborhood, and very desirous of protecting your high
quality of life.
We have talked about roads,
street lights, bike lanes, drainage, and other services. We have also
discussed taxes, both what they are now, and what they may be in the
future.
We have received many
comments relating to the need for Feather Sound to speak with one voice in
order to protect its quality of life into the future. Obviously the
County's presently tabled plans to convert Airco golf course to other uses
is a very volatile subject. I have directed my legal and development staff
to thoroughly review this proposal both in terms of legality and
desirability. It is clear to me that the independent interests of the
Feather Sound residents need to be addressed and protected.
It is my intent to provide you
with another update on our evaluation within the next month or so at which
time our common goals and future can be better defined. I am committed to
a thoughtful and careful review of your community issues and concerns, and
therefore appreciate your patience in waiting for this information. Until
we talk again, my very best wishes for a happy holiday season and a
prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,

Rick Baker
Mayor
CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG, PO. BOX 2842, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33731,
TELEPHONE (727) 893-7201
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CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG
Office of the Mayor
Rick Baker,
Mayor
November 4, 2003
Dear Feather Sound Neighbor:
I have recently
received a number of inquiries from your neighbors asking me to explore
how Feather Sound and St. Petersburg might share a common future. Before
we begin even a preliminary review I wanted to first personally
communicate to all residents of Feather Sound so that there is no question
or secret as to our intent or process.
We intend to have informal discussions with small groups of residents to
determine if there are any needs which exist within your community which
might make alliance with our city a positive thing. At the same time we
intend to perform an internal review of the costs and benefits to our city
of an affiliation.
Obviously, we will not even proceed with a serious discussion unless our
preliminary review tells us that it is likely a good thing for St.
Petersburg and that there is a significant level of support among the
neighbors of Feather Sound. In no case will any affiliation take place
unless, after fully exploring all related issues, the neighbors of Feather
Sound vote in favor of joining with St. Petersburg.
In our informal discussions with those
residents who have contacted us we have heard many
reasons for their interest.
The fact that St. Petersburg's property tax rate, at 7.09, has decreased
for 10 of the last 12 years is significant, especially when compared to
the 7.53 millage rate paid by the residents of Feather Sound for
comparable municipal related services; however, I do not believe that
taxes or costs alone will be the determinating factor.
The question which we have heard many times from some of your neighbors is
whether being part of St. Petersburg can help Feather Sound, already a
special place, become one of the premier communities on Florida's west
coast with an even better qualify of life.
Suggestions which we have heard so far
include improvements to entry roads which are presently in disrepair;
establishment of significant entryway markers/landscaping at both
entrances, as we have already done in many of St. Petersburg's existing
neighborhoods; inclusion of Feather Sound in St. Petersburg's $12 million
master bicycle path and sidewalk pedestrian plan which starts construction
next January; the review of park development opportunities; and others.
Some have suggested that Feather Sound
needs a stronger voice in representing your interests in issues such as
the county's proposed development of Airco into an industrial park. St.
Petersburg prides itself in the quality of our neighborhoods, and our
willingness to vigorously advance, as well as defend, that quality.
But even with the input received so far
I recognize that we still have a lot to learn about your special community
and its needs. Over the coming weeks members of my staff will be meeting
with some of your neighbors in small groups in an effort to identify the
needs and desires of Feather Sound. When possible, I will personally
attend these meetings in order to hear what the community has to say.
In December I plan to write to you again
to report what we have learned about Feather Sound. If we decide not to
proceed with further discussions, either because it is not in St.
Petersburg's best interests or because there appears to be little interest
from residents, then I will report that to you. In that case we will at
least have gotten to know our neighbors a little better, which I believe
is a good thing.
If we decide to continue discussions
then I will report what we have heard from you and your neighbors about
ideas for physical improvements, improved services, and improved
representation which an affiliation might make possible. I have
deliberately chosen a slow, cautious approach because it is important for
everyone to understand that we are not aggressively seeking annexation of
Feather Sound into St. Petersburg. We are responding on a preliminary
basis to inquiries received, in an effort to determine whether an
affiliation may be a good thing for St. Petersburg, and desired by you and
your neighbors.
In the meantime should you have any
questions, or if you would like to participate in further discussions,
please either call the Mayor's Action Center at 893-7171 or email to
mayor@stpete.org to leave your contact
information. A member of staff will return your call promptly.
I look forward to learning more about
your community, and hope to have the chance to meet you soon.
Sincerely yours,

Rick Baker
Mayor
CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG, PO. BOX 2842, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33731,
TELEPHONE (727) 893-7201
|
The City of St Petersburg is
distributing the documents below to Feather Sound residents in informal
discussions being held in November and December. |
MILLAGE
COMPARISON (FY 2004)
|
City of
St. Petersburq |
Feather
Sound |
Unique
Millaqe Assessments |
|
|
Municipal |
7.0900 |
0.0000 |
MSTU |
0.0000 |
2.3560 |
Fire |
0.0000 |
3.6740 |
Library Services |
0.0000 |
0.5000 |
Community Service District |
0.0000 |
1.0000 |
Subtotal: |
7.09 |
7.53 |
Common Millaqe Assessments |
|
|
County (Aggregate)* |
6.8010 |
6.8010 |
Pinellas
Planning Council |
0.0225 |
0.0225 |
School |
8.2430 |
8.2430 |
SWFWMD |
0.4220 |
0.4220 |
Pinellas Anclote River Basin |
0.4000 |
0.4000 |
JWB |
0.8117 |
0.8117 |
Transit |
0.6319 |
0.6319 |
TOTAL:
|
24.4221 |
24.8621 |
|
|
*(General Fund, mosquito control, health dept. & EMS) Note: For a
personalized comparison of the costs and/or savings associated with
annexation into the City of St. Petersburg please contact Gary Jones at
893-7877 or by e-mail at gary.jones@stpete.orq. |
The chart
above and the two pages below are being distributed by the City of St.
Petersburg in talks with Feather Sound residents. Click on the images
below to view them full size. |
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