The voices of Walden Lake residents upset with the condition of their community’s golf course have reached the city’s top leaders.
During the Plant City Commission’s March 10 meeting, Commissioner Mike Sparkman urged City Manager Greg Horwedel and city staff to focus their efforts to ensure golf course owner Visions Golf LLC is maintaining the property in the condition its code-enforcement regulations dictate. Sparkman even suggested amending those regulations.
“It’s time that we, at the city, really take charge,” he said. “And if we don’t have current regulations in place, we need to strengthen them. This management team (Visions Golf) never has been cooperative with the city. We need to now step forward.
“We, the community, and we, the city government, have been patient (for) too long, and it is time to for us to get tough, get it done and get it cleaned up,” Sparkman said. “If we have to fine the organization for not coming up to code, then fine them. Also, if we have to do it ourselves, with our crews, let’s put a lien on the properties, and charge them for it. I’m sick of it.”
Horwedel said Code Enforcement Supervisor Dennis Sweeney has received several calls regarding high weeds and grass along the golf course. Currently, Sweeney patrols the area regularly and notifies Visions Golf whenever he sees a potential violation. The city, under Code Section 3-62, Public Nuisances, prohibits untended growth of weeds, undergrowth and other plant life on any tract of land within 100 feet of any developed property.
“It is important to note that the city’s code establishes minimum standards, which is not anywhere near the same as golf-course standards,” Horwedel said. “Unless the commission changes the standards, the golf course owner or any other property owner would be in compliance with the high weeds and grass provision in our code, as long as they kept the vegetation in that 100-foot area cut to a reasonable height.”
The condition of the golf courses has been a sore subject for many Walden Lake residents ever since Visions Golf Managing Partner Steve Mercer closed The Hills course in May 2013. Led by Walden Lake resident Shelly Orrico, the residents have remained vigilant in reporting code violations to the city. They also oppose Visions Golf’s proposed redevelopment of the golf courses and country club.
“There are trees down in people’s back yards that have snakes and … varmints around it,” Sparkman said. “People are really outraged with the condition.
“They have a legitimate complaint,” he said. “I own property, as I know my fellow commissioners do, in Lakeland and a number of other places, and we cannot get away — even on big, empty lots that we have — with anything of the magnitude of what is going on in Walden Lake.”
Vice Mayor Rick Lott, who led the meeting in Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis’ absence, agreed.
“I definitely feel like we need to enforce the code enforcement we have on the books,” he said. “And if there needs to be tighter ones, then we need to consider that.”
Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel is compiling a report of code-enforcement activity related to the golf course.
Horwedel said changing the city code would require public hearings and commission approval.
“Our code provisions currently apply equally to all properties,” he said. “I don’t know if the city attorney would support different standards for different lawful and approved uses (i.e. using golf-course standards for golf courses), but that might be something we look into based upon the commission comments made at the meeting.”
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Plant City Fire Chief Dan Azzariti presented a plaque to Plant City Fire Rescue’s 2013 Firefighter of the Year, Dustin Hill.
Although grateful for the recognition, Hill was quick to say the accolade was one that should be shared with the rest of the department.
“Every time of year, when it comes around and we start putting names in for Firefighter of the Year, I sit at the breakfast table and talk to the guys and I’m like, ‘This is ridiculous that one person can get an award like this,’” he said. “When the tones go off, whether it’s for medical or fire — I don’t get on the truck by myself. We respond as a team. … Everybody’s name should be on this plaque for that.”
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• The City Commission recognized Dr. Dean Christiansen, who is retiring form his post as medical director for Plant City Fire Rescue. The commission also approved his replacement, Dr. James Bartlett.
• The city rescheduled its public hearing regarding an ordinance to regulate the permitting and placement of donation bins. The hearing now is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 24, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St., Plant City.
• The city accepted a special flag from the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County to declare Plant City on Aug. 7, 2014, as a Purple Heart City. The city will fly the flag outside City Hall on that date, 232 years after Gen. George Washington established the Purple Heart, first known as the Badge of Military Merit.
• The Hillsborough County Planning Commission is updating its Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City and hopes to complete that process in early 2015.