The city's final approval of a corporate headquarters near Crossroads Mall could come at a Dec. 6 meeting.
By YUXING ZHENG
Published November 17, 2005
LARGO - The Pinch-A-Penny pool supply chain moved a step closer this week to getting the go-ahead to build a warehouse and office facility near the Crossroads Mall, which also is targeted for redevelopment in a separate project.
Pinellas County commissioners unanimously agreed Tuesday to rezone 14 acres from residential to light manufacturing and industry. The Cepcot Corp., a subsidiary of Pinch-A-Penny, is acquiring the property and requesting zoning and land use changes to pave the way for Pinch-A-Penny to relocate its corporate headquarters.
Cepcot would pair the 14 acres with 33 adjacent acres that are within Largo city limits. Largo city commissioners voted 4-3 in August to approve a land use on that property.
"Obviously, we're always pleased when anything we're working on is approved," company president John Thomas said Wednesday. "But it's just one more step in the process."
The city's final approval could come at a Dec. 6 City Commission meeting. Both city and county planning staffers will recommend approval, said Largo planning manager Robert Jarzen.
Construction could begin in late 2006, with completion in 2008.
Cepcot already owns the land within Largo and would likely apply to have Largo annex the 14 acres in the unincorporated area, said Thomas. He did not indicate when that might happen. Cepcot also will donate about 5 of the 47 acres for a park.
The proposal stirred controversy months ago. The city's staff recommended commissioners not approve the change in land use in August, citing incompatibility with surrounding properties.
On the Crossroads Mall property, Boulder Venture South LLC of Clearwater plans to build a $145-million mixed-use Largo Towne Center. The project will include offices, apartments, a 14-screen movie theater, shops and restaurants once it's completed in late 2007.
Boulder officials originally opposed Pinch-A-Penny's proposed industrial facility, citing safety concerns and incompatibility.
But Boulder withdrew a lawsuit against Cepcot in late June after holding discussions about the compatibility of the projects, architecture, borders and buffers.
