Firmenich Proposal Protest Set For Friday
A pair of Safety Harbor residents who live near the citrus center plan to stand outside the property to draw attention to the issue.
Photos
The sign sits in front of a house along the west side of 14th Street South, just before the curve where the road turns into State Road 590: “Imagine Another 300+ CARS @ the NEXT LIGHT. TELL S.H. NO.”
A couple hundred yards away from the curve sits the Firmenich Citrus Center, abandoned except for some office staffers.
If residential property developer the Richman Group of Florida gets its way, a 276-unit apartment complex with 20,000 square feet of office space will occupy the 34-acre parcel sometime in the near future.
But if the residents of that home, Sheryl Hollen and Barbara Hugg, have their way, that day will never come.
“I’ve lived in this home since 1994,” said Hollen, a 25-year resident of Safety Harbor. “I’d love to see something prettier go in there, but not an apartment complex.”
Regardless of whether the Richaman Group’s latest proposal goes through as is, Hollen and Hugg are fearful of the traffic problem the entrance to the property will create.
“I’m a daily driver, and the added traffic in the morning and afternoon is my number one concern,” Hollen said.
Already the couple say there are daily mishaps and near misses on the road, as cars come speeding around or up to the curve well above the posted speed limit of 35 mph.
In fact, Hugg said they have witnessed no fewer than seven accidents in the area since they’ve lived there.
“The people fly through here,” she said. “They honk at me when I try to turn into my driveway, pass me on the shoulder of the road. I put my blinker on well before my driveway just so I don’t get hit.”
“The situation is bad now. It’s only going to get worse if that proposal goes through.”
Want to read more about development and other local issues? Sign up for the free Safety Harbor Patch email newsletter and you won't miss a thing!
Following the latest Planning & Zoning Board meeting, where the board approved the newest Richman plan by a vote of 6-1, Hollen came up with an idea to help get the word out about what the proposal would do to the traffic in the area.
And just like that, a sign was born.
“The sign was a way to get the word out to people who drive this road every day,” she said. “We want everyone to know that if this comes in, it’s going to greatly impact your drive every day.”
“This is going to affect a lot more people than those that just live on this road.”
While the sign was a way to get the word out to a larger group of people, the pair have planned an even bigger demonstration this Friday to help spread the word.
The couple say they will stand near the entrance to Firmenich, next to a sign announcing the next City Commission meeting on Feb. 4, and wave to motorists in hopes of drawing attention to the issue.
“The protest is just a start. It’s way to let people know the entrance is going here,” Hollen said.
“We’re passionate about this,” Hugg added. “We know a lot of other people are, too, but they just don’t know how to go about expressing it.”
They say they are planning something bigger for the commission meeting, but won’t say what it is yet. They just hope to draw more attention to their cause.
“I don’t know how many people you need to get the word across,” Hollen said. “But I do know that the city knows how big this is, so it's going to take more than a handful."
Harborite
6:30 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
It's great to see Safety Harbor residents becoming active in our community and protesting the the Richman Group's plans of putting large apartment buildings on the Firmenich Property. I also would like to see a positive redevelopment of the Firmenich Property, but a 276-unit apartment complex with 20,000-square feet of office space is not what we want. These proposed apartment buildings are too large, will create too much traffic, and do not fit the small town character of Safety Harbor. We all need to voice our concerns to City officials and tell them that we oppose the Richman Group's plan for the Firmenich Property.
Barbara W. Hugg
7:18 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Come stand with us on Friday the 18th in front of Firmenich so we can show our City officials how we feel about this project. It's 3rd Friday and there should be plenty of traffic.
This project will affect much more of Safety Harbor than just the neighborhoods surrounding State Road 590. Eventually there will be a domino affect causing congestion on many of our side roads when drivers start looking for alternate routes that just might include your street.
Thank you Jeff for asking the time to visit and be a voice for us. As you could see during your visit, 590 is already a hazardous and dangerous road to live on, the additional cars will make it far worse.
Jeffrey Rosenfield
9:20 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
You're welcome, Barb, and thanks to you and Sheryl for taking the time to speak with me.
Sheryl Hollen
8:49 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The demonstration will begin at 5pm. Please join us for an hour to show your disapproval of the planned project...Oh and feel free to bring a sign with you.
Barbara W. Hugg
2:12 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Its a gathering of like minded folks, not a demonstration - ha ha...
Brian Blood
10:24 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Sandy Blood
An electronic petition has been created on Change.org. If you'd like to sign it, the link is:
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-city-of-safety-harbor-commission-vote-no-to-richman-group-of-florida-s-proposed-development-agreement-2
Harborite
11:25 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Everybody in Safety Harbor should sign this petition to stop the Richman Group's excessive building plans for the Firmenich Property. We all need to stand up and be heard on this issue. These proposed excessively large buildings will cause a dramatic increase in traffic at this site and will negatively impact the City of Safety Harbor. There will be additional costs for hiring teachers, school bus drivers, and policemen, etc. There will be future demands on city services that will be paid for by the Safety Harbor taxpayers. Call and e-mail City offficials and tell them that we want a positive redevelopment of the Firmenich Property, not large scale apartment buildings.
Barbara W. Hugg
10:36 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Great idea Brian and its been signed...
Cristine Reidy Kreplick
12:36 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
FYI:
Destination Tampa Bay and Safety Harbor Resort & Spa are hosting a reception in honor of new Safety Harbor Mayor Joseph Ayoub with an opportunity to say farewell to outgoing Mayor Andy Steingold. The reception will be held at the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa on Friday, Jan. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the new mayor and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and live music from the Safety Harbor Musicians Cooperative. Please visit www.destinationtampabay.com/rsvp by January 16 to reserve your seat for the event.
Jeffrey Rosenfield
1:28 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thanks Christine. Just so everyone knows, we have an article about the event posted on the site today: http://patch.com/A-1h6g
Barbara W. Hugg
2:17 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
This event will also bring more traffic our way on Friday night, so lets bring it on. Thanks Christine, Maybe Mr. Mayor will drop by and say hello to us. Actually, the plan is to leave Firmenich and be at 3rd Friday with flyers to hand out. The Blood's have taken point on that, as well as the electronic petition,(and we thank them for that), but we are there to support them as well and help pass out flyers...
Cristine Reidy Kreplick
12:55 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
So... Friday's Schedule:
5pm Firmenich for Hugg/Hollen Protest
6pm Safety Harbor Spa for Mayor Reception (possibly to discuss the issue)
8pm Safety Harbor Third Friday - also opportunities to spread the word and discuss (table? flyers? signs? tshirts?)
Jeffrey Rosenfield
1:27 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Busy night in the Harbor once again!
Michele L.
1:45 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Not only did i sign the petition, I posted it on my FB page.
Barbara W. Hugg
2:00 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thank you Michele...
Barbara W. Hugg
1:59 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
FYI, News Channel 8 came by our house but we were not home. Our neighbor, who is totally against the project, however, did get interviewed. Not sure when it will be aired but will post when I know. Additionally, we were told they will be back for the Friday gathering so I hope we can have a good showing that night since we will be live and in color on channel 8!!
Carol Zieres
8:56 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Barb, glad to hear you have contacted News Channel 8. That will give this issue tremendous exposure to our community and be very effective!!
Cristine Reidy Kreplick
3:37 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Barb, I was hoping that the Mayor would be aware of it, if not, we'll make sure he is when we get there :)
Jeffrey Rosenfield
3:39 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I think the Mayor is aware - he's an avid Patcher!
Barbara W. Hugg
5:23 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
News channel 8 about to air "our" story, including the sign. This is so awesome for us Harborites that have been fighting against it...
Susan
8:04 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
This is what happens when residents elect realtors and developers to office. The proposed developer of this property, the Richman Group, has developed affordable housing projects in Largo and Clearwater. The financing requires that up to 70% be dedicated to "affordable housing". Does anyone know if this is the plan for Safety Harbor too??
Jeffrey Rosenfield
11:16 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Susan, a spokesman for the developer, Damon Kolb, previously stated they have no intention of allowing the units to be used as low-income housing. To quote from a previous article I wrote on the issue, "Kolb did say that the company has no plans to use the property for anything other than market rate housing, meaning no subsidized, or Section 8, tenants..."
http://patch.com/A-zCHl
Lynn Marksberry
9:50 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
As a manager, when my team members bring me a problem, I ask them to present at least one solution or an alternative. The idea of an apartment and office complex does not appeal to me either. Residents are telling the City what they don't want, but what do we think WILL work in that spot? Could the city entice another manufacturer to come to the area? That would create jobs, but still increase traffic. What else could work? What ever the final decision, we may have to accept an increase in traffic along that section of road. I guess it's about how much we are willing to accept.
Barbara W. Hugg
10:35 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Lynn, that is a wonderful concept and philosophy and I agree whole heartedly with your management style.
However, as of now, I think the citizens have been so busy fighting hard against what we don't want that there has been no time to focus on what would be a desirable and acceptable alternative.
As far as I know, the Richman Group has been the only developer to bring any offer to Safety Harbor for the purchase of the Firmenich property, so there have been no other options available.
Anyone who might know differently, by all means correct me and set the record straight.
Jeffrey Rosenfield
11:29 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
In response to Lynn and Barbara's questions, there are no other current offers to put another type of development, industrial, residential or otherwise, on the property as of now. Part of the reason is because they have been trying to get the zoning changed on the site since last summer. But former Mayor Steingold stated at previous commission meetings that he believed there aren't many large manufacturers looking to move into older facilities like Firmenich at this time. As we all know after the market crashed, vacant office parks and commercial developments became commonplace. For someone to move to the Firmenich property, they would have to either raze the entire complex or upgrade it to fit their particular needs. Damon Kolb also spoke of what could happen if the Richman Group's plan is denied and Firmenich decides to sell to another company when he said "If a large commercial development is allowed to go in there, it will have an even greater impact on the community" during a commission meeting in November.
Harborite
6:10 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Firmenich and the Richman Group have tried to use these scare tactic many times before that if we don't accept this large scale 276-unit apartment complex with 20,000-square feet of office space, then we might get something worse. We also might get something much better than these apartment complexes. The Firmenich Property closed down years ago and we have not seen any interest from manufacturers to put in a commercial development with an even great impact than these proposed apartment buildings. Firmenich is simply trying to maximize its profits by getting this property rezoned to allow for these apartment buildings. Firmenich could still make a reasonable profit if it sold the property with its current zoning allowing for light commercial or retail development. Firmenich could also make a reasonable profit if it sold the property to be redeveloped as single family houses, townhouses, or condos. Since Safety Harbor is such an attractive place to live, I believe that the Firmenich will receive more offers in the future to redevelop this property with projects that are more in scale with the look of Safety Harbor and will have less of a negative impact on traffic than the current proposed project.
Robert "Bobby" Saltzman
8:19 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
"Damon Kolb also spoke of what could happen if the Richman Group's plan is denied and Firmenich decides to sell to another company when he said "If a large commercial development is allowed to go in there, it will have an even greater impact on the community"
This is the veiled threat they are using to persuade the commission to sway the vote. If this property was so desirable it would have been sold long ago. What is behind the buildings? We don't know do we? The environmental damage will be done no matter who moves in there. The habitat will be destroyed, the traffic will be unbearable and the big $$ the city thinks it will get will probably not live up to expectations. But all means let the project proceed, like I said dig me up in 15 years and let me know how that worked out for ya
Jeffrey Rosenfield
5:21 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Bobby, it'll be a lot longer than 15 years when we have to "dig you up"!
Tracy D Burzynski
12:52 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
The addition of a new apartment complex in SH could be a good thing. And i agree with the idea: what are the alternative options? It could be far worse.
Harborite
1:24 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
There are many positive options in the future for the Firmenich Property if the City Commission refuses to rezone this property for such large scale apartment buildings. We could have a developer put in single family houses, townhouses, or condos. We could also just keep it commercial and have a developer build a light commercial or retail project. If these apartment buildings are built, are you willing to pay the additional taxes for educating up to 200 additional students in our school system? Each student costs many thousands of dollars to educate and bus to schools. Also, are you willing to pay for additional police officers to deal with additional crime and drug issues? Do you want to face traffic coming from the apartment buildings each time you drive down SR 590? Even if we just keep it commercially zoned as it is now, we will collect additional taxes, but have no additional costs for educating children, no additional traffic after work hours, and no police needed for crime and drug issues. Firmenich closed its plant years ago and there has not been a single proposal for any intensive commercial use there. I am optimistic that if the Richamn Group's plan is rejected, the Firmenich Property will eventually be redeveloped into a residential or commercial project that will enhance and not negatively impact the City of Safety Harbor.
Jeffrey Rosenfield
1:35 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Thank you for the comment, Tracy.
Barbara W. Hugg
4:05 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Hi Tracy,
What do you think could be worse? Just curious, what part of Safety Harbor do you live in?
J. Powers
4:36 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I am very pleased to see that this issue is finally getting some good attention and word is getting out. It will be interesting to know where our new mayor's stands on this. His next election is right around the corner. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. I'm sure the Safety Harbor voters will keep everyone in mind come next election.
Barbara W. Hugg
5:17 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
J. Powers - hope to see you at the next Commissioners Meeting and maybe even tomorrow night. Thanks for the supportive words...
Carolyn Czop Griffin
7:03 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
I wonder if the developers have done any studies to determine if they will even be able to get enough residents to fill 276 units. There are other apartment complexes nearby that have vacancies right now, what makes them think they won't be mostly vacant, too?
Barbara W. Hugg
8:22 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Bingo Carolyn...
Sheryl Hollen
8:59 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
In addition, because of a loophole in a new 2011 law, apartment owners are getting a new tax credit. The following piece was taken out of a SPTimes article written By Susan Taylor Martin, Times Senior Correspondent
In Print: Sunday, December 16, 2012:
"Now, under a new Florida law that was supposed to help charities, a handful of these wealthy developers are getting another lucrative benefit. They have found a way to move dozens of apartment complexes off the property tax rolls, saving themselves as much as $115 million in taxes a year but reducing revenues for already hard-hit schools and local governments in a way no one expected."
Another spot states, ""Some large for-profit developers were clever enough to figure out that they could set up a nonprofit corporation and it would basically become the general partner" eligible for the exemption, said Meffert of Florida Housing Finance Corp."
I have a source that has found out that the Richman group has done just that and created a non-profit partner company.
Who's to say that when these apartments don't rent (like the 108 across the street) that they won't change part of this complex over.
PLEASE GO READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS!
http://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-builders-rich-tax-loophole-hurts-local-governments/1266359
Carolyn Czop Griffin
9:33 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Thanks for the link, Sheryl. Definitely worth reading. Not only will the schools get hit the hardest from the decrease in tax revenues, but who will be expected to pick up the difference? The rest of the property owners.
Barbara W. Hugg
9:59 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Newsflash.
Just had a visit from Pinellas County Code enforcement officer. He was absolutely the nicest guy ever.
The sign must come down due to a citizen complaint. The good news is we don't have to move the sign until we get the official letter with the official date.
Even better news is we can go downtown Clearwater and find out who filed the complaint. The officer was not allowed to tell me immediately who the complaint came from. It's a safety precaution so we don't run out and punch somebody for filing against our sign.
That's not something Sheryl or I would do, but I guess there are those who would.
Standby for the big reveal, can't wait to find out.
Barbara W. Hugg
7:41 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
I tried to find out who filed the complaint but here is what I got back:
Barbara W Hugg I wrote in hope I could get an answer about the complaint but I have to go : Since there is a named complainant regarding this complaint (CL13-00127) you will have to come into our office at 440 Court Street; Clearwater, FL 33756 (2nd floor) to receive this information. Thank you and have a nice day.
I will be going to find out and will let you all know who it was. This is rather exciting...
Barbara W. Hugg
9:57 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
And the winner is Joseph Young 750 Main Street. 727-724 1555 X 705. Searching city website now to see who he is, so far no luck....
Robert "Bobby" Saltzman
11:00 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Could it be a fake "Mighty Joe Young" Beautiful dreamer dah dah dah dah....
Carolyn Czop Griffin
11:05 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Joseph A Young is the Code Enforcer of Safety Harbor. See his name in the top right hand corner of the following link:
http://www.cityofsafetyharbor.com/index.aspx?NID=121