County may buy Tarpon property

Neighbors opposed to developing the 64 acres for apartments or condos rejoice at the county staff's proposal.

By KATHERINE GAZELLA

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 18, 2000

TARPON SPRINGS -- To the delight of neighbors who scorned the proposed development of a 64-acre property, county staffers are recommending that the county buy the land and leave it undeveloped.

If the County Commission approves the proposal, the county will spend $3.8-million to buy the acreage at Carlton Road and Curlew Place, said Interim County Administrator Gay Lancaster. Commissioners are scheduled to consider the issue later.

"We couldn't possibly object to removing this property from development," said Dimon Diamond, a neighbor who helped organize a group that opposes development there. He said he supports the county's proposal "enthusiastically, and with great celebration."

Morton Olshan of New York, the longtime owner of the property, made a move earlier this year to sell it to a developer for apartments or condominiums. Olshan wanted a change in the land-use designations on the property, including parts of the land considered "preservation upland."

Neighbors heard about the plan and organized an opposition effort. More than 150 residents who opposed development of the land and state Sen. Jack Latvala attended a town meeting in July, and many residents spoke at meetings in opposition to land-use changes and any development of the property.

As a result of the complex changes that city commissioners considered, 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 went through, 487 units would have been allowed.

Neighbors argued that the property is pristine and the home of many animals, including osprey and gopher tortoises. Some residents have said they enjoy taking walks and fishing on the property, which has two small lakes and a saltwater wetland.

The property, one of the largest undeveloped tracts in Pinellas County, would be considered an endangered land if the county proposal goes through, Lancaster said.

Olshan has agreed to the selling price, his attorney Alan Zimmet said.

Tarpon Springs city commissioners looked at the land-use changes for the property Tuesday night, but they decided to hold off voting until the county makes a decision.

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

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