Most residents simply want to see the Firmenich Property redeveloped in a size and scale that blends in and fits within the City of Safety Harbor. Unfortunately, a large scale 276-unit apartment complex with 20,000-square feet of office space is an excessively large scale project that is too large for the adjacent neighborhood and will create too much traffic for commuters on SR 590. I would be happy to see commercial uses like a one story retail development, or even single family residential houses, townhouses, or condos for this area. Large scale massive projects like the one proposed by the Richman Group will only maximize the developer's profits at the expense of Safety Harbor's quaint small town atmosphere. Developers like the Richman Group are coming to our City and they should develop this property in a manner that will not detract from the small town characteristics of Safety Harbor. If these developers cannot do this, then they should go to somewhere else to build their excessively large out of scale projects.

Personally, if the land is to be developed, I would rather see single family homes or a residential neighborhood. This would mean less traffic then the current proposal and increase the property tax base for the city and the county. Let's face it renters don't pay property taxes or support the community infastucture as well as homeowners who are more invested in the community can.

Apartments would be acceptable, to me at least, in a less dense more & upscale situation - perhaps two story buildings totaling about 100 units, with some low traffic business offices (i.e., real estate)

How about a community pool and fitness center (something like the Long Center), since Harborites are not included as "residents" anymore and are forced to pay over $300 up front for use of the facility? It could be expanded to feature a sustainable community with gardens and an outdoor market... something that is unique and Eco-friendly... let's think outside the box !

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions. Keep them coming - as you can see, city leaders are paying attention!

They are hearing, but I feel, after listening to last nights meeting, it does not seem it matters what we think. This just makes me so sad, because we are the citizens, and I feel that no matter what we say or do, it's already been decided....

I believe that this should be developed on a smaller scale. It would be more appropriate as condos or townhomes so the owners have a stake in the city. Four stories are also unheard of in this town only the Spa and the Hospital are that tall and the city has limited this for years so why now. In addition the traffic is already bad there so why make it worse we should be concerned with public safety not just a $. So why aren't our ELECTED commissoners listening to us the voters and citizens of Safety Harbor? When do we say enough is enough?

Based on listening to the meeting the other evening, it seems certain commissioners seem to be more concerned about Pinellas County rather than our city of Safety Harbor, and her citizens. While I believe it is important to to support the county, I believe our first priority is to support the city of Safety Harbor. The county did not elect you, the citizens of Safety Harbor did.

All of you wonderful folks that have posted on Patch, PLEASE attend the next commission meeting on Feb 4th and let your voices be heard. Lets show them that we are not a small opposition group, but a group of many.

Personally I appreciated that Safety Harbor had a manufacturer in town. One of the biggest problems facing this country is the lack of good jobs, due in large part to the lack of manufacturing. Safety Harbor could look at recruiting a company in need of a small manufacturing plant. That would create jobs, stimulate the economy and ameliorate the projected traffic problem. Or they could just allow two story homes and apartments on that land. The point is: the city council's obligations are to us, not the developer. They do so many things right. This town is really special and does some things creatively. Why not this?

Excellent comments Gary. Why are we coddling this developer, let's think outside the box and come up with a viable alternative to the current proposal, Has the city attempted to get other developers interested or to the table to propose better ideas? Or are we just accepting that this is the only developer interested in the land so we must accomadate their wishes. Come on, we're better than this, Safety Harbor.

Even if is the only developer interested. We don't owe the developer a thing but we also are not the owners. The city does have an obligation to allow the owner to sell to someone with a reasonable development plan that fits in with the rest of the city. There is no reason it can not be a win, win situation; no reason except greed.

I also believe the owner should be able to sell but the city is not obligated to them to make a profit. The city is responsible to it's citizens. I have not met a person yet that says this would be a great fit in Safety Harbor ( besides the city planner Matt and the 6 on the planning and zoning bd). Everyone is opposed to the height and the traffic that will be created. I like the idea about the city getting involved and trying to market this to match the city make up. There are only 3 light industrial areas in the whole city and this is one of them. Think about the number of permanent jobs that could be created here with small scale manufacturing or offices that fit into the up front foot print while saving the green space in the back. Maybe it's time for a change in the Planning and Zoning commission, the City Planner and the commission if the only fit they can think of is over development and not what the resident want.

If this development eventually becomes a title 8 community ,, remember Condon Gardens or Jasmine Courts

Happy Sunday To All :)
Strictly thinking outside the box, you know what would be awesome is an Ikea store, I realize traffic would be a concern but there are other positive sides to a store like this; Ikea is a solar powered green friendly store, it would create lots of jobs, it would bring lots of money spending customers from surrounding areas, right now the only Ikea store is in Ybor City so imagine all the people who live in our surrounding areas are driving there, they will prefer this one, also lets not forget Ikea stores are 2 stories tall & sits on 29 acres which includes the building & parking; now to go back to what this would do to the traffic, yes there will be traffic but that can be an advantage to our city, when I & other people I know drive to Tampa Ikea there is lots of traffic which we really don't mind due to we love shopping at Ikea for quality merchandise please think about the positive impact of a store like this, thanks!

I'm a renter.. yup, I admit it. Until they stopped changing the territories for school districts, I was not willing to buy a house and lock my daughter into a school that I didn't want her to go to. I try to spend every penny I have locally and I do all I can to support this town I've adopted. Now that she is in High School, I am looking to buy. HOORAY! That being said, I live at the Estates at Countryside. It's not a bad place, but truth be told we selected it purely based on location to the High School. Now that my daughter is driving, it is no longer an issue. What IS an issue is taking our lives into our hands pulling out onto McMullen from our place. More often, we turn right and drive an extra mile, through the local neighborhoods. I suspect that would happen at Firmenich as well. As far as the Section 8 concern. As a long term renter, I have never moved into a place that had even a portion Section 8. As a single mom who cuts coupons, works overtime and side jobs, it would just frustrate me too much. Our community was just bought by a new management company. The first thing they did was start upgrading and renovating. The second thing they did was raise the rent. When I discussed this with them, they told me they are at 100% occupancy, and their rent is below market value. I pay over $1k/month! I don't think the new place would stay empty long enough to go Section 8. It's a Landlord's market.

Jeff, I here what you are saying about the traffic, I contacted 2 other traffic engineering firms to get another opinion but was told either conflict of interest or they wouldn't touch it because they don't want to be the one going against the Richmond Group or the City. They want business and to go against the grain does not help them. There are only 56 parking spots on the property currently even if you multply by 5 it would not make up half of what is being proposed. I believe that if this property was developed with height, density, traffic, the environment and the existing neighborhoods in mind it could be done right. It's time for the city to listen to the citizens of Safety Harbor.

I see you are doing your research, Russell! I believe the extra traffic would stem from the constant flow in and out of deliveries, salespeople, employees, visitors, etc...all day long. It might not be as bad during the morning and afternoon rush hours as an apartment complex, but it would be more of a constant in and out. That was how I understood the engineer's explanation. Just something to consider. I appreciate your thoroughness!

There are constant in and out of all neighborhoods and developments. Again the engineer said it would increase traffic and there would be a LITTLE more delay but at a minimum. What is a minimum. Also there would have to be an east bound turn lane of 255 ft added to SR590 to accomadate the cars turning in to the complex. The widening of 590 just to accomadate the inflow instead of adding another entrance on Mcmullen Booth seems insane. If we can build a bridge over the bay with little environmental inpact why can't we have a bridge over 50 feet of wetlands for the public safety concerns that are raised with this much density. There should be an entrance on McMullen Booth for North bound cars exiting and enter the complex instead of all onto 590.

Traffic is only one aspect of the proposed property. As it stands it would raise the percent of rental property from 15% to 20 % that is a substantial rise and that number affects home prices. And unless units are under renal contract before completion of the project it would almost double the unoccupied housing units in the city. If filled at the Safety Harbor average of 2+ people per unit, it could add almost 5 percent to the population in and area almost 5 times as densely populated.