Richman Group Submits Revised Firmenich Proposal

On Feb. 4, the Safety Harbor City Commission told the Richman Group of Florida to again revise their development proposal for the Firmenich Citrus Center property on State Road 590.

On Wednesday, the developer did as it was asked, submitting a new proposal for the 34-acre parcel to be presented to the commission on Monday night.

The new conceptual master plan significantly lowers the density of the previous proposal, eliminating all four-story buildings from the project while reducing the number of units from 276 to 246.

The original proposal had called for a 296-unit complex.

In addition, the new proposal calls for only two-story apartment buildings and carriage houses to be built along the eastern edge of the property, while three-story dwellings would be relegated to the southwest portion of the parcel, set a minimum 450-feet from the eastern property line.

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The changes appear to be a direct response to the commission's requests at the last meeting.

"I'd like to see nothing higher than three stories...a reduction of at least 30 units and assurances the buildings will be of the highest architectural standards that Richman is capable of," Mayor Joe Ayoub said on Feb 4.

The new proposal also specifies "the use of more muted 'earth tone' color scheme and more compatible architecture."

At the conclusion to the special meeting on Feb. 4, Robert Pergolizzi, the spokesperson for the Richman Group of Florida, said he would be back on February 18 with a revised proposal in line with the commission's requests.

"We will be here, with two- and three-story buildings," Pergolizzi told the commission.

Related Content:

• Full coverage of the Firmenich property saga

What do you think, Harborites? Do you appreciate the fact that the developer submitted a revised proposal in line with the commission's wishes? Or do you just want the whole thing to go away? Let us know in the comments below.