Unfavorable land conditions halt plans to build Palmetto ball fields | News

Palmetto, Florida -- Due to unfavorable land conditions and the expense to repair it, Manatee County officials are recommending halting plans to build new baseball fields for Palmetto's North River Little League.

The county says environmental testing on the proposed site revealed leftover pesticides in the dirt from farming activities in past decades. In order to fix the problem, it would take about 2 1/2 years and up to $3.3 million to complete it. Additional regulatory requirements, state permitting issues, utility line installations and other unknown circumstances could further escalate costs and postpone the onset of construction. 

County Administrator Ed Hunzeker will recommend to commissioners that the county reject the plans to build near Blackstone Park. Instead, he will ask them to find another suitable place for the ball fields.