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Plan for homes near Briarwood approved

Residents say the site is too close to them, but officials rule the proposal "is the least intrusive use of the property."

By MEGAN SCOTT
Published November 5, 2004

SAFETY HARBOR - Despite concerns from neighbors, city officials this week approved a plan to build six single-family homes on 6 acres between the Lake Tarpon outfall canal and the Briarwood subdivision.

City commissioners, who voted unanimously for the project, said they would rather see houses on the property than a tall apartment building.

"This is the least intrusive use of the property," Commissioner Neil Brickfield said. "Six homes is a lot better than 20 apartments."

Briarwood residents said Monday that the location is too close to their neighborhood. About 85 houses make up the subdivision, which is off Mease Drive near Mease Countryside Hospital.

"It is going to destroy our ability to walk on that canal, much less see it," Dennis Miller said. "I'm quite sure that we can get a significant majority of people who say, "Don't do this."'

Residents expressed concern about the loss of wetlands, which make up half the property. Besides being home to various types of wildlife, the wetlands provide a scenic view to homeowners and serve as a buffer from the noise on Curlew Road and Oldsmar.

"Many of us bought there because of the remoteness," Mike Oberacker said.

"The view that many of us have enjoyed for a long time will be gone. We want to be able to see clear sky, not six towers in our back yard"

Josette Doherty, the owner and developer of the property, tried to reassure residents.

The houses would more than likely be two stories and 2,500 to 3,000 square feet, she said. Although some of the wetlands would be removed, she said, new species would be planted.

"We feel it's a better use," she said. "People in the neighborhood will have improved drainage, a new road and sidewalk. It's going to add value to their homes."

But Doherty admitted she could make no promises. She anticipated that once the road and sidewalk are constructed, a builder will come in, buy the lots and construct the homes.

But, Oberacker said, because someone else is going to build the homes, construction could take more than five years.

The builder may finish constructing one home before starting another.

There would be more construction traffic in the neighborhood, posing a danger to small children, he said.

"The issue is not the houses," he said. "It's the sizes and how they obstruct things and the safety of the neighborhood."

Whoever takes over the property will have to appear before commissioners to get plans for the homes approved.

But that was not enough to satisfy residents.

One stormed out when commissioners rendered their decision. The vote was 4-0. Commissioner Keith Zayac recused himself because his firm is engineering the project.

Megan Scott can be reached at 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com

[Last modified November 5, 2004, 01:26:06]