The following has been called to our attention by Deborah Cobb, one of our most active members. While the Chamber has not yet taken an official position on this matter, we felt that our members should be informed about what is going on and how it might impact their interest in the area. We need your help! Despite public opposition, the Pinellas County Planning & Initiatives Department has approved the zoning change for the 2.58 acre property immediately north of Harbor Ridge Drive. If this proposal also passes at the June 18th meeting of the Pinellas County Commission, you and I (the public) will have no further say in the development of this parcel. Rezoning the property from R-3 (Single Family Residential) to RPD-5 (Residential Planned Development – 5.0 units per acre) increases the housing density to 5 units per acre. Since each unit can be a large townhouse or a multifamily dwelling up to 35 feet in height, the zoning change allows for as many as 48 new families to live in an area of Pinellas County that is already overbuilt and congested. Combining these new families with those already expected from the gradual build-out of the existing Harbor Ridge Development can only create new problems or worsen existing difficulties for current residents and businesses. We strongly believe that this zoning change is not in the best interests of our community. Our concerns with this plan include: (1) Excessive traffic: Alternate 19 is classified as an "F" road by the Department of Transportation meaning that it cannot be widened or substantially improved. Regardless of whether the new development accesses Alternate 19 via Harbor Ridge Drive or has a separate entrance, it will create additional congestion and further complicate local traffic patterns. This intersection has already been the site of several accidents. Completion of this development, along with Harbor Ridge, will inject potentially hundreds of additional local vehicles into the near gridlock conditions currently experienced during peak traffic periods. We believe that, at a minimum, the Department of Transportation should be consulted regarding the construction of a dedicated turn lane, and / or placement of a traffic light. (2) Excessive noise: Both during the construction phase, as well afterwards, our neighborhood will be subject to increased noise, activity, and inconvenience. A relatively quiet area along Alternate 19 will be lost forever and unnecessarily replaced with "more of the same". (3) Loss of potential green space and privacy: Our County is essentially built-out and most new construction focuses on remodeling or renovation of existing structures. The undeveloped 2.58 tract is a small green patch in what has become the most densely populated County in Florida. Building additional higher-density housing in a flood plain (C evacuation zone) already overpopulated and facing dwindling resources (e.g., irrigation water) simply makes no sense. The proposed development will negatively impact our properties and our property values. There are many reasons to oppose the rezoning but few to support it. If this parcel must be developed, why not keep the current zoning in place to minimize the damage? Fortunately, there are other options for this property – options such as recreational fields, dog parks, and trailheads that would restrict development and improve the quality of the local environment for residents and their children. We, as a community, need to explore these options before agreeing to a zoning change. Please plan to attend the Board of County Commissioners public hearing on June 18th (6:00 PM, County Commission Assembly Room, 315 Court Street, 5th Floor, Clearwater). If you are unable to attend, please contact your District 4 County Commissioner (Susan Latvala: 727-464-3276, Fax 727-464-3022 or by e-mail [email protected]. The County Commissioners are your elected representatives - Your voice will be heard!
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:41:01 +0000
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