Politics & Government

Meet One of the Bats That Would Live in the Temple Terrace Bat Tower

City staff and bat experts fielded questions and concerns from Temple Terrace residents at a Bat Tower Workshop Thursday.



In addition to the roughly two dozen residents in attendance at a Bat Tower Workshop, there was a special guest: a Brazilian free-tailed bat.

Cyndi and George Marks, bat experts with the Florida Bat Conservancy, had the bat on hand for people to see.

What was meant to be an open house Thursday evening turned into a Q&A with city staff and the Markses.

They fielded questions and concerns regarding about the future Temple Terrace Bat Tower, which the city and the Temple Terrace Preservation Society plan to build somewhere in the community.

Attendees asked questions about the amount of bats that would live in the tower, possible bat infestation to homes, bat guano, odor, diseases and the location of the tower.

In July, the Temple Terrace City Council accepted possible locations, including: Riverhills Park near the tennis courts, the northern part of Scout Park, and two areas in Rotary Park near Fisherman’s Landing Apartments.

The Riverhills Park site seemed to be the favorite among City Council members in July. It has a riverside location, existing parking, easy land access and minimal clearing would be required. But it is close to residences.

The Scout Park site at the northern portion of 911 West River Drive has a riverside location, adequate parking, easy land access and a tree buffer to neighbors. But extensive clearing would be required, it’s close to nearby residences, and the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) owns the property so outside agency oversight would be required.

The Rotary Park site at 8000 E. Fowler Ave. has good visibility, riverside location, and parking available on the site. Minimal clearing would be required, and the site is located near a major highway and entryway into the city. But the site is close to Fisherman’s Landing, a large apartment complex, and homes across the river. Building a bat tower there would also affect the trailer parking for the boat ramp in that location. And the property is leased from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), so outside agency oversight would be required.

"There's been a lot if input from a lot of people on this issue," said City Manager Gerald Seeber, who encouraged residents to voice their opinions to the council.

"They're very sensitive to resident concerns," he said. "Believe me."

City Council members and their email addresses:
Robert Boss, rboss@templeterrace.com
Alison Fernandez, afernandez@templeterrace.com
David Pogorilich, dpogorilich@templeterrace.com
Grant Rimbey, grimbey@templeterrace.com
Eddie Vance, evance@templeterrace.com

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