Messenger Property Designated Public Open Space

The Safety Harbor City Commission on Monday approved an ordinance to change the land use designation of the Messenger property from residential low to recreation open space.

An ordinance calling to change the zoning for the property from mixed residential to public and conservation also passed. Both ordinances still have to go through a second reading.

"I think it makes sense to change the zoning at this point," Mayor Joe Ayoub said.

The decisions followed months of wrangling over what to do with the 10-acre parcel located between Harborside Christian Church and Green Springs Drive.

While exploring the possibility of selling the city-owned lot, the commission heard from many residents who were concerned that the wetlands, wildlife and natural beauty of the property would be destroyed by any type of development on the land.

The outcry forced commissioners to rethink their positions, leading to Monday's vote.

"I think we responded to residents," Commissioner Nancy Besore said. "They wanted another level of protection."

"It's a reflection of discussions that we had with residents," Commissioner Cliff Merz said. "It's a better way of assuring them of what the use is."

The new zoning and land use designation means the property can be used for any kind of open space recreational function, from parkland to a golf course.

Community Development Director Matt McLachlan said the city would preserve three acres of designated wetlands and potentially tie in the rest of the property with trails and recreation facilities.

Another intriguing idea McLachlan mentioned was the possibility of taking the dirt that would be extracted for drainage from the property and using it at the new waterfront park, saving the city money.

Despite all the good feelings surrounding the proposals, the commission vote was not unanimous.

"Aren't all these things we can already do with it the way it is now?" Commissioner Rick Blake, who had the lone dissenting vote, asked.

"I don't understand why we would devalue a city asset and change the zoning when if we wanted to do something with it, we could do it now."

But Mayor Ayoub was adamant this was the right decision.

"We're sending a signal to the community that we're not going to sell it, we're going to keep it passive preservation," he said.