The Planning & Zoning Board has not listened to the residents of Safety Harbor on this redevelopment of the Firmenich property. The people overwhelmingly oppose these excessively large apartment buildings on that site which will increase traffic, noise, and pollution to that area. There will also be additional taxpayer costs to hire more teachers, school bus drivers, police officers, and firefighters. Large scale buildings will also ruin Safety Harbor's small town character. Unfortunately, our Planning & Zoning Board has decided to side with outside real estate developers instead of with the residents who live and pay taxes here.

I live and pay taxes on several parcels and appreciate the board's consideration for this project. It seems they are listening to both sides along with the developer making the requested changes. Not everyone is opposed to growth within reason. This will not change the wonderful small town character of SH into New York City or even Clearwater. I believe it will enhance the business growth downtown. Welcome new residents:)

Agree with Desi. I applaud the commissioners' wise vote.

If this project goes thru as planned , it will be a disaster to trafffic on sr590, God help us who travel this road every day.

I'd like to see the levels reduced to two levels. As a narrow, winding two-lane road, 590 needs to be improved to be more pedestrian/bicycle friendly. I'd also like to see a pedestrian overpass over McMullen Booth as we know children are going to be crossing at this intersection.

The traffic study shows that this development will add 2,100 daily trips to the McMB/590 intersection which is already at a Level of Service F (overburdened). The only roadway improvement required by the City at this point is to add a left-in lane for the apartment complex. There is nothing being done to address the outgoing traffic.

I am not opposed to this development but this intersection will become completely overstrained without the City's insistence for further roadway improvements.

What a shame... A really bad move. Traffic will be terrible, and the density too high. The worst part is the city did not listen to the residents.

Just a reminder that this isn't a done deal yet. It still needs to go before the City Commission for another public hearing on Feb. 4, and IF it gets approved there, it has to go the Pinellas Planning Council and other county organizations before it would come back to the commission again for final approval. Basically there's still a long way to go.

Soooo.....an added 2100 daily trips to the intersection will DECREASE overall traffic by 38% compared to now but with a slight delay in commute times.Who did the traffic study? There will also be a mix of 3 and 4 story structures....let me guess..... there will be more 4 story structures than 3,a lot more if I guess right.But hey,they compromised. I am not against developement on this site but it needs to be much smaller just like what most are telling the City.

Jarine - I agree - no more than two stories. I live near Bayshore Palms Apts on Philippe Pkwy & a complex with that density would probably not overburden SR-590. making 590 similiar to bayshore would be a nice improvement but 590 between the apartments & McMullen-Booth probably needs to be 4 travel lanes plus turn lanes.

On the upside, the new apartment complex would be replacing an abandoned plant that isn't exactly an attractive sight so that would be an improvement - and Firmenich has over 100 parking spaces so it was contributing to traffic congestion. On the downside. I won't be going to Walgreen's, Publix and the Hess Station during morning and evening drive time.

The current land use (industrial) allows for apprx. 4,100 daily trips. Changing the land use to residential drops that allowance to apprx. 2,500 trips, which is where the developer's figure of a 38% reduction comes from.

But what they don't want to draw attention to is the comparison of current trips vs. new trips generated. That is the 2,100 figure. Per the traffic engineer, 2,100 additional trips will be generated. It is very surprising to me that the engineer does not recommend any improvements be completed to help the outflow of traffic. Hopefully, FDOT will see it differently.

Wish I could post the pic of the sign on SR 590 , and I wish there was like button...

"Imagine another 300 +cars at the next light"
Tell SH NO

I drive 590 intersection numerous times a week and sometimes several times a day and have never had to wait over 1 light cycle. At Main and McMullen it normally takes 2 light cycles especially turning left if there are several cars waiting to go straight. The townhomes (which are beautiful) were approved and everyone is welcoming them but when they become occupied this intersection with become worse. How did the townhomes get approved at a smaller lane intersection and the apartments are having problems with a 4 lane intersection?

Desi - It is simple a couple of dozen units vs a couple of hundred

What amazes me is that there are 7 people on the P & Z board. The city council has 5. Why would any board would need that many people sitting on it? If anything there should be 7 on the council and 5 max on any of the boards.

Anyway joing the sign protest Friday the 18th at 5pm along SR590 at 14th Ave. We are taking it to the streets. Spread the word.

There is a meet the Mayor party at the spa at 6:00 on Friday the 18th. All commissoners will be on hand.

Curious, does anyone know if Safety Harbor would be providing any funding to help development this project? Also, is there any requirement by the developer to provide a mix of both low income and or subsidized apartments along with the advertised rental charges that have been presented?

For example, 200 would rent for the normal fees, but the other 76 units would be rented at a significantly lower amount or subsided by the government.

I am researching this but thought perhaps someone much smarter than I on these matters might know the answers.

Thanks...

With housing prices on the rise perhaps the developer would consider townhomes. Less density and less traffic impact. Also, a small retail development, included in the overall plan, is better than offices as it cuts traffic, provides services to the whole neighborhood, and acts as a buffer to the new homes. A quirky idea that has been implemented in other cities is a "Live above your shop" model that encourages local small business ownership.