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Ex-NBA player puts in rezoning request

Exactly what he plans to put on the 3-acre space isn't clear. His request will be considered at a July 26 hearing.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published July 12, 2005

EAST LAKE - Matt Geiger's dreams for a super-sized neighborhood may be getting even larger.

Early last year, the NBA-player-turned-developer announced he planned to turn 64 acres of vacant land just west of his 28,500-square-foot home on Keystone Road into about 14 luxury estates.

Now it looks like Geiger wants more space to play with. He has requested rezoning for about 3 acres on the north side of Old Keystone Road from agricultural residential to residential planned development.

The Pinellas County Commission is scheduled to consider Geiger's newest zoning request at a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. July 26.

If approved, the new zoning could provide more open space in the development or allow Geiger to build an additional house in the subdivision.

"At this time there's no information on where the house would be built, or if another house would be built," said Todd Pressman, a land use consultant who represents Geiger.

One extra house may not sound like much, but when considering the first house to be built in the development is valued at $5-million, every house makes a difference.

The first home to be built in Bison Creek Estates - besides Geiger's - is a tan stucco palatial estate at the corner of Keystone Road. The 17,488-square-foot home is owned by William Baumgart of Clearwater, according to records.

In addition to the main house, a 4,226-square-foot guest house, a 618-square-foot pool house, and a 4,117-square-foot pool will complete the sprawling estate, according to Pinellas County building permit records.

"We absolutely can't wait," said Baumgart, 51, president of Transcontinental Title Co. in Clearwater. "It's been three years."

His family expects to move into the house in February, Baumgart said.

Geiger has touted privacy as a top amenity at Bison Creek Estates. Earlier this year, the county granted Geiger permission to build a 9-foot wall around the community, 10 feet from the road.

For years, rumors have circulated that Geiger is building a new home for actor Tom Cruise, a Scientologist and occasional visitor to Pinellas County. Bison Creek Estates is about a 30-minute drive to the Church of Scientology's facilities in downtown Clearwater.

As construction began on Baumgart's home, the rumors intensified.

So far, county officials, representatives for Geiger, and Baumgart say the rumors are just that.

"I've heard that one for years," Pressman said with a chuckle. "It's an exclusive neighborhood for the upper echelon. ... Maybe that's where it's coming from."

--Nicole Johnson can be reached at 727 771-4303 or njohnson@sptimes.com

[Last modified July 12, 2005, 01:26:22]