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THIS WEEK IN LARGO JULY 26, 2019
137th STREET SEWER PIPE REPLACEMENT
As an ongoing effort to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows within the City of Largo, the Engineering Services Department will be replacing sanitary sewer pipes that were identified during an engineering evaluation of the sanitary sewer system. Pinellas County will also be using this opportunity to replace the residential potable water line in this area. This work is expected to begin this week and is expected to take three (3) weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions. This schedule should allow for the completion of the project before the start of the school year at Anona Heights Elementary School.

The work will occur along the following blocks of 137th Street:

West side of 137th Street from Anona Heights Drive to Croft Drive S

Residents have received written notice and can expect occasional temporary road access limitations and detour routes during this work.

- Joshua Carlsson
Asset Management Data Coordinator I 587-6713 I jcarlsso@largo.com
TEENS FOR TREES PROGRAM
The Parks Division's Urban Forestry crew visited Brooker Creek Preserve on Tuesday to take part in a cooperative educational program teaching area teens about careers in urban forestry. As part of an ongoing commitment to education about the importance of green space and trees, Largo Parks teamed up with Pinellas County Extension, Pinellas County Public Works and the City of Tarpon Springs. The crew demonstrated the use of chainsaws, the bucket truck and chipper, as well as proper pruning techniques and safety. The program also included a demonstration of the City's VUEWorks system in which City trees are inventoried, assessed and tracked. Pinellas County's Urban Forester shared information on canopy assessment, tree identification and tree measurements. Tarpon Springs staff discussed permitting, development mitigation and brought in a tree climber to demonstrate the use of climbing techniques for hard to reach trees. Overall, the teens were exposed to a wide range of topics connected with the urban forestry profession and learned the importance of good tree maintenance and preservation.

- Phil Christman
Parks Superintendent I 586-7415 I pchristm@largo.com
TREES - THE NATURAL SPEED LIMIT
As we expand our Largo street tree canopy it is important to recognize not only the environmental benefits of trees but their impact in other areas. A recent research article in the Journal of the American Planning Association found that “trees….along the roadside resulted in statistically significant reductions in the number of crashes, decreasing from between 5 and 20% as a result of streetscape improvements.” Another research study conducted at Texas A&M found that people actually slow down while driving through a treed landscape. Speed differentials of 3-15 mph were noted.

But trees also create a safer walking environment for pedestrians. How?---by forming and framing visual walls and providing distinct edges to sidewalks so that motorists better distinguish between their environment and one shared with people. And if that motorist does err, street trees can deflect a motorist away from the pedestrian.


- Joan Byrne
Recreation, Parks and Arts Department Director I 587-6720 I jbyrne@largo.com
TOMMY'S CAR WASH DEVELOPMENT ORDER ISSUED
On July 18th, a Development Order (DO) was issued to allow for the redevelopment of a 1.82 acre property located at 1240 N Missouri Avenue. The existing vacant bank building will be demolished and the DO will allow for the construction of a 5,199 sq. ft. drive-thru car wash, parking lot with vacuum stations, landscape islands and buffers, signage and associated infrastructure improvements.

- Katrina Lunan-Gordon
Planner II I 587-6749 I kgordon@largo.com
ANNEXATION UPDATE


















- Isabella Nunez
Economic Development Coordinator I 586-7308 I inunezl@largo.com

MEETING UPDATES
TAMPA BAY CODE ENFORCEMENT MANAGERS MEETING
On July 23rd, the Community Standards Division hosted a special Code Enforcement Managers meeting at City Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to give the Code Managers from throughout Tampa Bay an opportunity to discuss administrative topics that affect all Code Enforcement agencies. This was an opportunity for upper management to share ideas, learn new tools and to develop contacts and resources to help each of us to better serve our communities. Topics discussed included: legal notice procedures; lien recordings; nuisance abatement procedures; manager training opportunities; hoarding; vacation rentals; mutual aid; veteran programs; new hire training programs and the impact of public perception on our profession.

In attendance were Code Administrators, Managers and Field Supervisors from Largo, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Manatee County, Bradenton, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Tampa, Pinellas County, St. Petersburg and Pasco County.

- Tracey Schofield
Community Standards Manager I 586-7304 I tschofiel@largo.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS AND HOUSING JOINT REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Economic Development Capital Projects and Housing Joint Review Committee continues to meet to develop guidelines for use of Penny for Pinellas funds that have been designated for economic development capital projects and affordable housing. Pinellas County has retained a consultant to prepare a study and develop guidelines for review by the Committee. The guidelines will be presented to the Pinellas County Board of County Commissions in November 2019 for approval. Community Development Director Carol Stricklin sits as the City of Largo's representative to the Committee. The next meeting will be held on August 21, 2019 at the EpiCenter.

- Carol Stricklin
Community Development Department Director I 586-7490 I cstrickl@largo.com
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VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

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