Residents rallying to save wooded tract

By KATHERINE GAZELLA

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 17, 2000

TARPON SPRINGS -- Neighbors of the coastal, wooded land rattle off a list of the animals they've seen among the oaks and pines there: osprey, gopher turtles, wild turkeys. Some even say they've seen a bald eagle.

Their eyes light up when they imagine what might be buried on the 64-acre property. Arrowheads, perhaps, or other artifacts of the Tocobagan Indians, who may or may not have lived there.

Many of those residents have joined a group recently formed to oppose development that could put up to 487 condos or apartments on what is now the largest undeveloped residential tract in the city.

"I'm interested in . . . preserving a piece of property my grandchildren can use," said Marissa Morris, a former WFLA-Ch. 8 anchor who lives near the property.

The property is bordered by Carlton Road to the east, Curlew Place to the north and an inlet of water and tidal swamp to the west. The southern border is north of Klosterman Road.

The group will have to work quickly. The owner of the property, who bought it in 1981, is talking to potential buyers who could develop apartments, condominiums, townhouses or other types of residences there.

Proposals to develop the property are not new. In the early 1980s, a development called Tarpon Villages was proposed for the property but was never built. In 1993 and 1995, other plans were submitted to the city but were later withdrawn.

Now, owner Morton Olshan of New York is trying to have some of the land use designations changed. He is requesting that the city change the designation of parts of the property that are referred to as "preservation upland," as well as other classifications.

As a result of the complex changes, more density would be allowed on 11 acres of the property but less density would be allowed on the property as a whole. As it stands now, the city would allow 508 units on the property. If the changes go through, 487 units would be allowed.

Even though fewer units would be allowed on the property, many residents grew concerned when they learned of the proposed changes.

Dorothy Diamond, who lives nearby, circulated notices to hundreds of neighbors about the property. She and numerous other residents spoke at a recent City Commission meeting where commissioners gave preliminary approval to the land use changes but told residents they will have a chance to discuss it again before a final vote is taken.

At a community meeting last week, more than 150 people showed up to hear presentations about the property.

"I don't want anything there," Charmaine Mickunas said. "No way."

Residents who spoke at the meeting said they would like to see the land preserved as it is now or turned into a park.

Some people suggested recreating a Tocobagan Indian village there, complete with canoe trails and nature paths.

"It's an absolutely pristine piece of property," said Randall Harrell, who lives close to the property.

"As a plastic surgeon, I see beauty not only in people but in nature."

Some residents have said they enjoy taking walks and fishing on the property, which has two small lakes and a saltwater wetland.

Residents openly talk about going onto the property, which, Olshan's attorney points out, is trespassing.

Former Tarpon Springs City Attorney Alan Zimmet, who represents Olshan, said with mild annoyance that people shouldn't treat the property as if it's public land.

Signs warn people to keep out, yet many people seem to ignore the postings.

He said it appeared that people have even camped on the parcel recently.

He said the Police Department was notified about the campers, and he said officers can cite trespassers.

But people have grown accustomed to living near an undeveloped piece of Florida.

In spite of Olshan's attempts to sell it, residents still hope they can find a way to preserve it.

After receiving letters from residents, County Commissioner Sallie Parks responded in a letter that the property is on the county's wish list and county staffers are having the property appraised.

State Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Palm Harbor, told residents at a community meeting that he will try to find possible sources of grant money and other funding for the property.

"I'm with you. I'll do everything I can to help you," he told residents Tuesday night.

He said the state has money available to buy land and he will find out if some of that money can be freed up to buy this property.

There may be other funds available through the city and county, he said.

"I think you've got a good foundation to prevail here in the end," Latvala said to the residents.

Latvala noted that some residents have said they don't think Olshan should be allowed to develop the property.

But he pointed out it wouldn't be fair for Olshan not to get compensation for the property.

"You wouldn't like someone coming down to your house and say, "You can't sell it to who you want,' " Latvala said.

"The man has paid a lot of taxes and has a lot of investment in that land."

Indeed, Olshan has paid about $50,000 in taxes each year, Zimmet said.

After owning the property for almost 20 years, his client is ready to sell it for roughly $4-million, he said.

He said Olshan probably would welcome an offer from anyone who can find money to buy the property and turn it into a park or preservation area.

"This has been a long process," Zimmet said.

"My suspicion is, if someone wants to buy it, he's not going to object."

Staff writer Katherine Gazella can be reached at (727) 445-4182 or gazella@sptimes.com.

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