Decision on land remains in limbo

PINELLAS PARK -- The developer who hopes to build apartments and houses on a horse farm has asked the city to postpone several decisions, including annexation of the property, but Pinellas Park staff members are recommending that the hearings go on this week as scheduled.

Roger Broderick wants to again revise his site plan to satisfy neighbors who are worried about the project's impact on their homes' taxable value.

City staff members oppose a delay for fear that county officials could make it impossible for Pinellas Park to annex Millbrooke Station Stables, a horse boarding farm on 62nd Avenue N.

The issue will stay in limbo at least over the weekend. For now, the public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 5141 78th Ave. N.

The Millbrooke annexation/rezoning has attracted attention even at the level of the Pinellas County Commission.

Broderick has asked that Pinellas Park change the zoning on the property to allow him to build a 140-unit apartment complex and a subdivision of 16 upscale homes with room to board one horse. If Pinellas Park agrees to the zoning change, then Broderick will have the owner annex the 29 acres and their tax base into the city.

Activists in unincorporated Lealman oppose the annexation of any property from the Lealman fire district because the loss of income means their taxes will increase. Further, they hope to permanently protect their interests by forming a city.

The Millbrooke annexation has been sensitive because the property is located in the so-called land bridge that links east and west Lealman. If Pinellas Park annexes the land, east and west Lealman likely would be split.

Lealman activists have asked the county to move the boundaries of Pinellas Park's annexation planning area to prevent Millbrooke and other annexations.

Pinellas Park opposes the boundary change, saying the planning areas were set two years ago by referendum.

So far, the County Commission has refused to change the boundary lines, but it has left the issue on the table. That possibility has spooked the Pinellas Park staff and is the reason city officials oppose a delay in the Millbrooke annexation.

"We want to honor the property owner's request to annex," said Tom Shevlin, the city's zoning boss. "There's a concern on our part that (the county) would use that time to do something to us."

Shevlin said staff members plan to explain that to Broderick and others involved. Ray Neri, head of the Lealman Community Association, which is spearheading the drive for cityhood, said Pinellas Park's actions will aggravate a touchy situation.

Pinellas Park can justify a voluntary annexation when the owner and developer want to come into the city, Neri said. But Broderick has made a business decision to delay things so he can salve neighbors' concerns. Given that, Neri said, there's no reason for city staff members to try to force the annexation.

This will be the second time Broderick has changed the site plan to accommodate concerns. He first suggested building 130 apartments and 67 homes, but when neighbors said the development would further aggravate traffic, Broderick reduced his numbers. He met with neighbors Wednesday night and said he would build a 140-unit apartment complex on the 62nd Avenue N side of the property. And on 55th Street and 58th and 60th avenues N, he would build just 16 homes. The large lots -- from a half-acre to an acre -- would have room in the backyard for one horse.

Broderick estimated each lot at $100,000 to $150,000. A house likely would cost from $150,000 upward, he said. The package, minus any barn, would range from $300,000 to $500,000.

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