News & Public Affairs

Late night drink spots in St. Pete now need permits listen

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Tags: Push Ultra Lounge, St. Pete City Council, permits, bars

St. Pete officials are trying to clean up the city’s bar scene by requiring special permits for bars and restaurants serving alcohol past midnight. City council members approved a citywide ordinance this morning during their meeting.

Only a few bar owners showed up to complain about the issue, but most were more concerned about the possibility that council could later consider requiring high volume bars to hire off duty police officers for security. Matt Donahue owns Push Ultra Lounge i...

Treasure Island drum circle regulars worried about arrests and regulations listen

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Tags: Treasure Island, drum circle, permits, beach

Drum enthusiasts who flock to Treasure Island on Sunday nights might be facing more regulations. City officials are already beefing up police presence at the weekly drum circle.

According to Treasure Island city manager Reid Silverboard, participation at the long-time drum circle gathering has soared to more than 400 people over the past month and it’s starting to cause problems. He said that forced the city to increase police pr...

Hillsborough Legislative Delegation supports a bill to turn taxi permits into private property listen

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Tags: taxi cabs, permits, Hillsborough Legislative Delegation, Latvala, Jack Latvala

Tuesday the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation took public comment, and considered five proposed local bills. The meeting is expected to last all day.

About 70 members of the public signed up to let their representatives know their demands. Four of five proposed local bills were also passed, with the exception of one that was withdrawn, related to a $6 million [com...

Recession nets developers permit extensions listen

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Tags: Tampa City Council, developers, permits

As the recession continues to hammer local developers, the Tampa City Council today approved a proposal to grant automatic permit extensions to developers and homeowners whose projects have been put on hold because of economic conditions.

Cyndy Miller is the city’s director of Growth Management and Development Services. Miller said a developer must demonstrate cause, and that the site is maintained appropriately. City inspectors would review the site before allowing the extension.

The ...