Developer reconsiders plans

By Melanie Ave

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 14, 2000

CROSS CREEK -- Those for and against a new Cross Creek Boulevard development now have more time to work through their differences.

At issue are plans for a day care center and office complex south of the two-lane road near Brookron Drive. The County Commission on Tuesday postponed a decision on developer Gene Thomason's request to build these structures instead of homes on 7.9 acres near the Arbor Greene and Cory Lake Isles housing developments.

Thomason's attorney, Keith Bricklemyer, requested more time to work with neighbors who oppose the development. Bricklemyer said he hopes the two sides can work out an agreeable plan over the next month.

The property is zoned for single-family homes.

Earlier plans for a controversial self-storage warehouse were dropped, also because of neighborhood opposition. While many residents said they are relieved there will be no storage facility, they are still concerned about the project's effect on the area's gated communities.

"Now it's just a matter of what types of businesses are going in there," said Arbor Greene resident Ed Melanson.

The commission will vote on the issue at a 1:30 p.m. meeting Aug. 8 at the County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd.

John Pluchino, who has lived in Arbor Greene for less than two years, said many people fear the commercial development will hurt property values, increase traffic and damage the community's appearance.

Pluchino said some people want no commercial use at all in their neighborhood, only homes. Others said they will agree with Thomason's project, but only if the developer rules out certain types of office uses.

"We'd like to see dentists, doctors, lawyers," Pluchino said. "But we don't want upholsterers, laundry facilities, repair shops."

Pluchino said he and other residents will negotiate with Thomason and survey the neighborhood to find out the majority opinion. He said he will present the survey results to the County Commission.

"The major concern is representing the viewpoint of the community," he said. "When they vote, we'll know how they feel."

Thomason met with Pluchino and other residents and revised his plans for the small parcel of land, Bricklemyer said. Instead of a 72,000-square-foot self-storage warehouse, he increased his request for 4,500-square-feet of office space to 14,500 square feet and asked that the remainder of the land be used for either offices, homes or park land.

Plans for the 10,000-square-foot day care center remain the same.

More than 130 residents signed a petition opposing the project with the storage warehouse despite recommended approvals by county staff, the Planning Commission and a hearing officer.

Bricklemyer said he has a petition with names of about 130 residents who are in favor of the project. He came to Tuesday's meeting with a revised plan in hand and a request for additional time.

It was the second time the issue has been before the commission.

In a June 27 meeting, with one member absent, county commissioners had two split votes on the proposal. They asked Bricklemyer to drop the self-storage facility and postponed a final vote until Tuesday's meeting, where about 40 residents showed up to debate the project.

Plan proponent Bill Chamberlin of Cory Lake Isles said he was originally against Thomason's plans because of the storage building, but now supports it since the warehouse was axed.

He believes the land is too small for nice homes, but just right for Thomason's commercial plans. "We think it would enhance the community," said Chamberlin, who lives west of the site. "We feel doctors and lawyers and other professional offices . . . would be more convenient for people there."

Melanie Ave can be reached at (813)226-3473 or melanie@sptimes.com.

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