Belleair Commission Solves Possible Time Problem on Variances for Hotel RehabBy Leo CoughlinBELLEAIR - The Town Commission at its meeting Tuesday night adopted an emergency ordinance that will extend the time for variances on the site plan for the Belleview Biltmore rehab work. The commission had originally approved the site plan and variances but was challenged by a law suit by three residents. Pinellas County Circuit Court, sitting on the administrative appeal, backed the town's actions but the time factor militated against the standing site plan and variances. By extending the time for 60 days the town overcame that problem. The time for appeal to the Second District Court of Appeals in Lakeland of the Circuit Court decision runs out tomorrow. In other action, the commission adopted regulations for the maintenance of properties in the town - there are 25 to 35 of them - that have been foreclosed on. That tied in with the proposed ordinance that will oversee the regulation of rental properties. There may be a hint of good news in establishing the millage rate for fiscal year 2009-10. The commission agreed to keep the current rate - 4.5605 mills. Because the Property Appraiser's Office has not yet released the property values it is not known what the exact effect will be, but because of lowered values maintaining the same millage for properties that may have gone down a little in value would result in less money paid out by property owners. Town Manager Micah Maxwell said the town's estimated $4.3 million budget had a $350,000 to $390,000 shortfall, but he said some savings were made in several areas. "We are paying less for fire service by contracting with Largo and that saves one hundred and twenty thousand," Maxwell said. Also, he pointed out that the town was able to re-negotiate some insurance costs. |