Amid protests, bonds approved for complex

BROOKSVILLE -- Amid screams, shouts, nos and boos, Spring Haven Apartments cleared another hurdle Wednesday as the Hernando County Housing Authority approved a resolution to issue the developer $7.9-million in bonds.

It was loud and ugly.

About 100 people, including residents of Seven Hills, Wellington, Pristine Place and the Palms, showed up to oppose the development. The Richman Group of Florida of West Palm Beach plans to build 176 garden-style apartments in 21 two-story buildings at Mariner Boulevard adjacent to Seven Hills Golf Club.

"We're not NIMBYs (not in my back yard)," said Edward Applegate. "There's no need, and it's going to jeopardize a lifestyle that these people worked hard for."

Several opponents cited problems with traffic, water and crowded schools among other reasons why the authority should refuse to issue the bonds.

The meeting lasted two hours and progressed slowly, because many people interrupted or added colorful commentary, with particularly rude shouts and personal jabs at board members and executive director Don Singer.

Such comments roused board member Evangeline Jenkins to ask, "Isn't it better to have good housing for the people who clean your pools and cut your lawns?"

Dozens who felt insulted stood up and shouted, and a few people walked out.

In response, several residents told how they came from working-class families and worked hard for their retirement.

After about 30 minutes of questions, board members gave their opinions. And chairman Michael Sullivan cleared the room after he started a story about growing up in Westchester, N.Y.

Several people started shouting, "Oh, Westchester, that's a nice area!"

Then Sullivan concluded, "Where I lived, I saw a sign down the road that said, 'no dogs or Negroes allowed.' And I see that here."

That comment inspired half the room to rush toward the board members and the door, waving their hands and shouting comments like, "This isn't a race issue."

Not all comments were so inflammatory.

"This area does not have the infrastructure to support this project," said Don Hammond of Wellington.

Jim Hughes spoke about water problems and gave the board a copy of a moratorium on new buildings in some of the developments because of a lack of water.

Most opponents thought incorrectly that the County Commission had denied the issuance of these bonds. The commission approved the bonds in a 5-0 vote in December. The commission had denied giving the developer a $440,000 loan in June.

Also, on Oct. 10, the state awarded the project more funding opportunities, some $6.2-million in tax-exempt bonds, said spokeswoman Robyn Dixon of the Florida Housing Finance Corp.

Most people opposed to the measure called the development, which will include a pool, a clubhouse, a playground and a volleyball court, "low-income." When Singer tried to call it "affordable," he was booed.

Attorney Joe Mason, representing the developer, pointed out that if the housing authority refused the bond issue, they, the commission and even homeowners associations could be sued under the federal Fair Housing Act.

The authority issued such bonds for an apartment complex once before in 1985, Singer said.

The issue will go before Judge Jack Springstead in November for a routine bond-hearing measure, in which the housing authority has asked the state attorney to show why the revenue bonds should not be issued. Although the housing authority is asking for this, nearly all municipal bonds must go through such a session, said Assistant County Attorney Kent Weissinger. Usually, they're heard in closed chambers.

Springstead is out of town and did not return calls for comments.

However, state Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, wrote a letter to the judge, lobbying him to oppose the development, on behalf of his constituents. Weissinger said the judge will likely ignore such "ex parte comment."

Diane Rowden was the only county commissioner to attend the hearing.

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