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The Pinellas Park panel sides with neighbors who say the area is too congested.
By ANNE LINDBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 8, 2001
PINELLAS PARK -- For the third time, the zoning board has heeded neighbors' pleas and rejected a request to build another apartment complex in northeast Pinellas Park.
The unanimous decision is only advisory. The City Council is scheduled to make a final decision at a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. May 24 in City Hall, 5141 78th Ave. N.
Southport Financial Services wants to construct four apartments, 78 units in all, a clubhouse and pool just south of 110th Avenue N about 350 feet west of U.S. 19 N.
Each apartment would be between 800 and 1,200 square feet and would rent for $650 to more than $1,000 per month.
The complex would be across the street from Plantation Gardens' 329 apartments, also developed by Southport. Also nearby is the recently completed Mariner Village.
More than 400 apartments have sprouted in the area during the past two years. The prospect of more apartments upset neighbors who own nearby houses and condominiums.
"We feel these additional apartments would be devastating to the area," wrote Barbara Cole, head of the Sandalwood Condominiums board of directors. Her letter was read during the board meeting.
"The residents of Sandalwood Condominiums do not feel that this zoning change would do anyone in the area any good," Cole wrote. "It would only do harm to everyone and their property."
Numerous neighbors talked of increased traffic in an already congested area, more stress on the area's drainage system, a decrease in property values, increased crime and transients, and schools that are already overflowing.
Planning and Zoning Commission member Debra Anspaugh, who made the motion to deny the request, said people have a right to say what will be built in their neighborhoods.
Mijralie Beharry seconded her motion, saying that this is the third time the project had come to the board and each time neighbors had pleaded with the board to reject it.