Community Reacts to Firmenich Property Decision

What are your thoughts on this important issue that will affect the city? Let us know in the comments below.

When the Safety Harbor Planning & Zoning Board approved a proposal Wednesday night that would allow a large residential and commercial complex to be built on a 34-acre piece of property in the city, people took notice. 

The development, which calls for a 296-unit apartment complex and up to 37,900 square feet of retail and commercial space, would be built on the old Firmenich Citrus Center property on the northeast corner of McMullen Booth Road and State Road 590. 

The community appears to be divided on the issue; some people think the city needs the development in order to infuse the area with much needed revenue, while others believe a complex of that size goes against what Safety Harbor is all about. 

Safety Harbor Patch reached out to a number of area residents and officials to get their perspective on the issue. Here is a sampling of what they had to say:

Matt McLachlan,  Community Development Director

My job is to take an objective look at the proposal that is being presented to the city. Due to the numerous issues raised at the planning & zoning board meeting, I am going to ask the commission to continue the time needed to decide on the proposal, from November 5th to November 19th. We anticipate the city commission is going to want to reconcile some of the concerns brought up at the meeting. We're going to have a traffic consultant do a traffic study. We're doing our due-dilligence and doing the best we can to address the concerns of all parties involved. This cake is not baked yet.

Ray Irvin, City Commission candidate:

My concern is how does the community deal with the traffic issues this new development will create. There will be almost 300 apartments, apartments mostly have two or three residents per unit, and both work. That means...1200 cars daily 5 days a week and SR 590 will have to handle those additional vehicles….we will have grid lock at the intersections with lights and not enough turn lanes to handle the flow. 

Bobby Saltzman, City Commission candidate:

I’m absolutely not for it. It’s not Safety Harbor. I told the developers if they don’t have any substantiated facts regarding traffic, the crime rate and property values being affected, then don’t come to us with the proposal. These projects used more in city services than they take in in taxes. I’d like to see a smaller, more professional office plaza there. 

Carol Zeires, resident/community activist (via Safety Harbor Patch):

I am disappointed with the board's decision to move forward. I understand the City's quest for tax generating revenue, but other options may include single family homes, townhomes, or small condominium complex like Los Prados would be more in keeping with the charm and character of Safety Harbor. 

Richard Blake, City Commission Candidate:

The recommendation that the board is making is that the zoning should be amended to a higher Residential use, rather than the current Industrial use.  By amending the current zoning it will help protect the surrounding residential areas from industrial uses in the future, such as huge distribution centers or noisy manufacturing plants.

Christina J, resident (via Safety Harbor Patch on Facebook):

Adding almost 600 renters and an additional strip mall to Safety Harbor will change and re-develop our city's population and character. We need more people shopping on main street, not strip malls off McMullen…We need to re-develop this rare property site, but we need to stay true to our city's comprehensive plan. 

Nadine Crist, resident (via Safety Harbor Patch on Facebook):

We live right around the corner and think this is a great idea. It will offer more housing options to people who would like to get their children into good schools, and will bring in more tax dollars. I really don't think traffic for so few units will be a big issue. 

Barbara Nelson, resident (via Safety Harbor Patch):

All I see is concrete. Shame on the commision (sic) if it lets something of this size go through. All they see is tax revenue all I see is ugly.