Northpinellas: Goals for site put on paper

Goals for site put on paper

Largo commissioners take their broad visions for downtown and the former City Hall area and begin to specify their objectives.

By ERIC STIRGUS

LARGO -- When city commissioners saw the plans by a developer to build on the former City Hall site last fall, some were disturbed.

The commissioners thought they had made it clear that they did not want apartments on the site, but rental units formed the centerpiece of the developer's proposal.

At a special work session Tuesday, city commissioners took steps to codify their vision, agreeing on a series of objectives for the site and the West Bay Drive redevelopment area. They say the objectives will define once and for all what the city wants on the land.

"I'm glad we're getting it on paper," said Commissioner Harriet Crozier. "I think we're making headway."

Some residents who attended the meeting were not quite convinced.

"It still seems confusing to me," said Bob Delack. "I don't think they decided all of the things that they think they decided."

The objectives will be brought back to commissioners for final approval at an upcoming meeting. Their goals will be used to judge whether a developer's plan for the vacated City Hall site is in line with their vision for the city-owned property.

Each commissioner was given a four-page questionnaire on downtown. The questions ranged from whether they would consider building a pedestrian bridge from Largo Central Park to the downtown area to whether they should prohibit new businesses from coming to downtown Largo that do not fit with the city's plans for the area.

The discussion delved into broad visions for the area as well as detailed questions about what the term "heavy commercial" means.

Commissioners agreed that they would hold off on selling the former police department headquarters to Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. Instead, they will try to buy the Mobil gas station on the corner of the vacant site and try to sell it to a developer.

The hospice, whose headquarters is a block from the vacant site, said it needs more space and has shown strong interest in the grounds. City officials have said they want a business on the grounds that will bring more people to the area.

Commissioners said they will not wait long for Mobil to sell the station. The company has not shown an interest in selling its property.

Residents who attended the meeting said they liked the commission's decision to reconfigure Ulmer Park as a 3/4-acre linear area of green space. Many longtime residents have spoken passionately about keeping Ulmer Park, although some community leaders think it is a drawback to developers who would have to build around the park.

"I'm pleased they are going to maintain part of the park," said Martha Gibson, who recalled that the commission agreed in 1999 to keep the park. "I'm glad they are going to keep their promise."

Several objectives on the list would require additional spending by the city, which concerns some commissioners.

"It's one thing to say you are going to do it," said Mayor Bob Jackson. "It's another thing to say where you are going to get the money."

Crozier said that some proposals on the list are currently budgeted in the city's capital improvement plans.

"I think we'll be all right," she said.