Snell Isle Weekly News

On-Line Survey StPete2050

Details: Published: Monday, 11 November 2019 09:16

Take our online survey! StPete2050 is a city-wide conversation about where our city is going and what it can become over the next 30 years. As part of the visioning process, the goal of the first online survey is to gather feedback about city priorities, strengths, opportunities, needed improvement, and your hopes for the city’s future. To make sure your voice is heard, click the link below to take the survey and give us your feedback. Link: https://stpete2050.metroquest.com The community is an important part of this process and we want to hear from as many people as possible, so be sure to share the survey with your friends, family and neighbors. Upcoming community workshop events! Join us at one of three community workshop events to help kick-off the StPete2050 visioning process. Each event will include the same presentation and engagement activities, but have been scheduled to provide a variety of times and locations. Beginning with introductory remarks and a brief review of the existing Vision 2020 plan, these events will start exploring where we want to go as a city and outlining what to expect throughout the StPete2050 visioning process: Kick-off Meeting #1 November 7, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. James Museum, Mesa Hall 150 Central Avenue Kick-off Meeting #2 November 9, 2019 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Center for Health Equity 2333 34th Street South Kick-off Meeting #3 November 20, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. J.W. Cate Recreation Center 5801 22nd Avenue North For information on more ways to get involved, and to sign up for future emails and surveys please visit us at StPete2050.com. Best Regards, Derek S. Kilborn, Manager Urban Planning and Historic Preservation Division Planning & Development Services Department City of St. Petersburg O: 727-893-7872 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please note all emails are subject to public records law.

Watershed Event

Details: Published: Monday, 30 September 2019 08:35

On Thursday night September 26th at the Woman’s Club SIPOA sponsored what I literally will call a “watershed” event. Perhaps that word is a little tongue-in-cheek, but the truth is the theme of the event was all about water issues affecting Snell Isle. From the upgrades and renovation of the Lift Station in the Parkway, to flooding and water pooling issues at various locations on the Isle, to increased costs for water/reclaimed water usage and storm water drainage cost increases that are based upon the square footage of impervious structures on resident properties, to flood insurance increases, one may have felt a bit overwhelmed, and underwater, with the vast quantity of information presented to us in a short two hour time period.

In an effort to summarize the most salient points covered, all should be pleased to know that the pump station upgrades will be completed months in advance of the original projected date. If all continues to go as well as it has, the work will be done by year end, which is fantastic news.

With respect to the costs for reclaimed water usage, the increases are not significant on a percentage basis, so no one should become too alarmed. As to the issue of drainage/runoff on a property by property basis, there is a formula based on the square footage of impervious structures as relates to the entire square footage of the property in question, so that the more of such structures, whether your home, driveway, pavers and patios, the more you will be charged. Again, the percentage increases are not significant enough that we should all be up in arms and worry too much about it. Of course, every dollar counts and while I don’t want to make light of any increased costs for anything in general, these won’t break the bank. The City explained that, with these increases, Saint Petersburg is more in line with our neighbors in surrounding cities. For further information on the rate changes, please go to this link StPete.org/ratechanges.

Moving now to the well-known problems of flooding and drainage after storms and high tides, we were informed that the City of St. Petersburg is taking the issue seriously, pipes in some areas are being enlarged while in other areas pipes are being cleaned and leaks are being repaired. Unfortunately, this is a slow and at times difficult process, but it is moving forward. In fact, residents were advised that if they notice an issue in any particular location, the City should be contacted so that specific areas may be addressed. Of course, all must keep in mind that while things can be done to mitigate the effects of too much water, living on an island as we do where summer rainfall can at times be daunting, especially when coupled with high tides, we will all have to continue to live with some flooding in certain areas.

A project is being looked at to consider dredging canals surrounding the Vinoy Golf Course that will enable further drainage of high water, but this potential project has many moving parts and teams. You will hear more about this in the near future.

Ed Montanari, our City Council Representative and Snell Isle resident, spoke briefly to our crowd and answered several questions. He is up for re-election in November.

The informative evening continued with Jake Holehouse of Holehouse Insurance making a video presentation detailing what Snell Isle can expect with regard to expected flood insurance increases in or about March of 2020. There was much to be learned and some of it complicated in terms of analyzing where individual homes fit in the grand scheme of things. Variations in rates not only have to do with locations on Snell Isle, such as being on the water, but also flood elevations and when your home was constructed. A distinction was made for pre and post 1975 construction with post 1975 construction having lower rates. On Snell Isle we are all in the AE flood zone and the rate increases will impact us all. The recommendation was made that we obtain elevation certificates to further assist us in wading through the quagmire of flood insurance. The elevation certificates may help to distinguish individual properties and possibly help some of us to obtain lower rates. Questions can be directed to HH Insurance via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (727) 498-5551. Their website is at www.HHInsgroup.com

Last, but not least, Officer Don Herring of SPPD spoke briefly on safety and security issues and reminded us that while crime on Snell Isle is at a low rate, it still exists and we need to be vigilant, lock our cars and homes, keep outdoor lights on at night, and if you see something suspicious please contact SPPD.

Our speakers who came to speak and provided information and who we would like to thank for their input, were as follows: 1) Brejesh Prayman, Engineering & Capital Improvements Director, City of St Pete 2) Carlos Frey, Design Manager, Stormwater and Environmental Engineering and Capital Improvements, City of St Pete 3) Aaron Carmella, City Liason for Utility bill updates 4) Officer Don Herring of SPPD 5) Jake Holehouse, HH Insurance, experts in Flood Insurance and designated by the City as Flood Insurance policyholder advocates (Kayla Roberts & Christian Kaelber were there to answer questions, too) 6) Ed Montanari

By: Howard K. Pollack, Communications Chair

Flooding

Details: Published: Thursday, 15 August 2019 08:53

As you know, yesterday’s mid-day deluge of rain coincided with our high tide and caused serious flooding issues throughout Snell Isle. We got somewhere in the range of 4” in one hour and, by any standard, that is hard for any drainage system to keep up. I spoke with a City Engineer today to inquire specifically about the Snell Isle Blvd & Appian intersection. I wanted clarification to understand IF the Appian area fed into the huge drainage improvement project the City undertook 2 years ago at Rafael / Brightwaters / Maron. It does not. As a matter of information, that completed project functions well, per the engineer.

The Appian Way / Snell Isle Blvd area is a different story…it in no way connects to the Rafael / Brightwaters new storm drains. The excess water from the Appian area processes through a drainage basin to a canal / creek near the Vinoy Golf Course. Yesterday that canal was overflowing with water - due to previous rains and the ground being soaked - causing no place for the rain that fell to drain. The City placed DETOUR signs so traffic avoided the “river-like” roadway at that intersection. The City intends to place a pump this week near this intersection to be used for situations like we experienced yesterday. It will remain in place until our rainy season is over. This is not the final solution. A feasibility study is underway determining the scope of work for a longer-term solution which we will hear more about in the future.

As a matter of information, our featured speaker for our September 26th SIPOA meeting at the Woman’s Club will be Jake Holehouse, talking about Flood Insurance and FEMA’s plans to change the maps that will negatively impact Snell Isle’s flood insurance rates. We all recognize water issues that impact our daily lives, especially at this time of year. Do mark your calendars to join us at 6:30. Your September Panther newsletter will be in your mailbox early next month and will provide additional details. You can RSVP to Howard Pollack now at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 516-356-0988. We hope to see you there!

VISIONS OF SNELL ISLE

Details: Published: Thursday, 21 March 2019 10:10

As Snell Isle developed over the years it has progressed from its early beginnings and the vision Perry Snell had for it almost a century ago. Of the unique features that comprise the Isle there are fourteen different pocket parks that can be found at various locations. Many of you probably have never even heard the phrase “pocket park” or even know what it means. I know I didn’t until very recently, so I took it upon myself to visit them and learn what I could about them in an effort to educate myself. However, even with on line research tools, I was unable to find much written about them, though I did find some pictures of the more well know ones, including Snell Isle Parkway on Snell Isle Blvd. across from the golf course. Many are much smaller and may go unnoticed if you don’t look for them, but one in particular should come to mind, and that is the one located on the right side of Snell Isle Blvd. as you cross over the bridge from Coffee Pot Blvd.; that is the Cherub water spout which has recently undergone a wonderful transformation. All should take notice that the fountain has been repaired and the landscaping has been totally refurbished. Many thanks to the SIPOA Board who have all contributed their own funds allocated for beautification as part of our yearly dues. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the locations of the rest of these mini parks:

These 6 larger Snell Isle parks have benches for the enjoyment of all residents:

Snell Isle Entrance Fountain

Snell Isle Parkway

Brightwaters Park

Coffee Pot Riviera Park, known as Pete’s Park

Monterey Point Pocket Park

Maple & 34th Ave NE Traffic Circle

These smaller “green spaces” you might have passed by and hardly noticed...

Coffee Pot Riviera & Monterey Blvd small traffic island

Traffic Circle at Monterey Blvd & Almedo Way

Snell Isle Estates Bridge area

Brightwaters Circle Bridge area

Entrance to Snell Harbor Drive

Brick triangle area at Giralda & Brightwaters

Snell Harbor Drive green space by the panther

Coffee Pot Riviera Entrance Walls

Now, although I was unable to find much to go on regarding specific historical accounts of the pocket parks, I did find a wonderful little piece written by Perry Snell back in 1926, after viewing magnificent scenes in various parts of the world. He came home to write as follows:

“It is the memory of these beautiful scenes that encourages one to lend some romantic touch to our local scene. At Snell Isle, I am endeavoring to lend a foreign note to match the warmth and balm of our sunshine. I see a vision of loveliness at this gateway to St. Petersburg. Domes and towers will hold sway on this fair Isle, and the colors of the Orient established an outpost in our Sunshine City. I may even approach the vistas of Paris, the domes of the Orient, the color of Italy and the charm of Spain. In the layout of the Avenues, Parks and Villas; something to suggest unimagined splendors and unwanted joys, the green lawns that satisfied, the curve of the new façade, the glint of fountains, the classic glimpse of statuary, the mysticism of the picturesque Riviera, the romantic view of lagoons and canals with the subtle witchery of the old world Venetian buildings, all minister to my fancies and lead me upward to achievement.

I see these things accomplished at Snell Isle, the Pearl of Pinellas, the brilliancy and gayety of Florida at its best, warmed by the golden sunshine, surrounded by laughing waters amid flowers in bloom and waiving palms. Other scenes to me will not have greater charm.”

Apparently, Perry Snell was not only a visionary developer, but also a true romantic as well as a great poet. And through these words of his, I began to understand. In the early homes he built on Snell Isle he incorporated beauty from around the world and brought it to his little slice of heaven. The pocket parks were another part of that vision. Places one could come to for a chance to sit and contemplate the beauty and uniqueness of the surroundings and to just appreciate the moment. The oft used Latin phrase Carpe Diem, (seize the day) or better yet, Carpe Momentum (seize the moment) comes to mind and is perhaps apropos. Snell would have appreciated a foreign phrase to help define his quest for serenity and bliss among the surroundings of his creation.

So, for all of you who have never heard of a pocket park, or have simply driven by one of these little cutouts that populate our locale, please take a stroll, a moment, perhaps a deep breath and sit by one for a while as you become a part of, and appreciate, a wonderful piece of our history.