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Save Lake Largo

***UPDATE***
The developer was denied the FLUM change to the property and withdrew his application for the development of 231+ apartments.

A page for information about the continued efforts for preservation at 800 8th Ave SE, also known as Lake Largo., formerly Donegan Dairy Farm, the first dairy farm in Pinellas County, and how residents can take action to help. He now proposes an industrial use for the land, but NO PLANS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED. We will update this page when we have any information.

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TELL THE CITY OF LARGO TO VOTE NO ON CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE OF 800 8th AVE SE

On April 6, 2021 the City of Largo voted to enter into a Development Agreement with Belleair Development Group to develop a parcel of land located at 800 8th Ave SE. Currently, a radio station owned by Genesis Communications, but before the radio station this land was part of the historic Donegan Dairy farm, and various stages of use for farming and grazing for livestock. The parcel has a history of agricultural use after a 500-acre lake (originally known as Lake Tolulu) was drained for the rich muck available to farmers. After the Dairy Farm was no more, there were still uses by livestock, migratory birds and other animals through the area known as Lake Largo. Eventually the smaller lake that was on the property was drained, and filled with material from East Bay Dr. when that was reconstructed and widened. From the Developer Agreement:

“On April 6, 2021, the City Commission authorized, by a vote of 6-1, the Development Controls Officer (DCO) to negotiate the terms and conditions for a Development Agreement (DA) with BDG 800, LLC, agent for the property owner of two parcels of land with (PINs: 03-30-15-47970-100-1000 and 03-30-15-47970-100-0100) located south of 8th Avenue SE and west of Donegan Road. The DA would restrict the use to a 231-unit multifamily development with a thirty (30) percent affordable housing component and provide a conceptual site plan addressing buffering, site improvements and other potential mitigation. The property is approximately 15.46 acres with frontage on 8th Avenue SE and Donegan Road. The site is designated as an Industrial Limited (IL) future land use and is currently an improved agricultural use. The applicant is proposing to amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) to Residential Low Medium (RLM) to redevelop the site into a mixed income multifamily development utilizing incentives of Comprehensive Development Code (CDC) Chapter 14.”

Nearby residents are concerned with many issues about developing this property:

- Traffic & Safety – the parcel is on a 2 lane road, with no shoulder. 800 8th Ave SE is adjacent to a Middle School, and Railroad Tracks. All outlets are 2 lane roads as well, with 8th Ave SE to the west out to Seminole Blvd, Central Park Drive, which is another 3 lane road leading to East Bay Drive. Going to the east, 8th Ave SE meets with Donegan Road at a dangerous curve, also no shoulder, with an eventual outlet to Lake Ave., yet another 2 lane road, which feeds out to Ulmerton Road, a 6 lane thoroughfare. Adding 231 units and 428 parking spaces will add to an already dangerous road where it has been documented for speeding issues, and heavy congestion any time school hours allow for parents dropping off and picking up their children. Congestion also is an issue with any special event at Largo Central Park just north of the proposed development site. If there is an accident at any of the major roads (Seminole Blvd, East Bay Dr., Ulmerton Rd) traffic cuts through these neighborhoods where drivers are not familiar with the roads or the constraints, and speed through residential areas to get to another outlet. The proposal for a 231+ unit development is also setting precedent with this size of development on a 2 lane road. All other apartments in the general area comparable to this size are on 4 or six lane roads, some with multiple ingress/egress points for the property.

- Storm water/drainage/sewage concerns – the Lake Largo area is probably the lowest point in the city, at approximately 9 feet above sea level. Ridge Rd/Clearwater-Largo Road, to the west, is approximately 70 feet above sea level. When we are in our rainy season, there are well-documented issues with flooding from Seminole Blvd down to the junction of 8th Ave SE and Donegan Rd, running across to Lake Ave to the east. This flooding occurs on both sides of the road and well past the property in question.

- Environmental concerns – people familiar with the area and the land have expressed concern for wetland grasses throughout the property that would need to be mitigated. The area is also a migratory path for many birds, and is a path for many animals, some of which include robins, eagles, coyote, coy wolf, giant (migratory) wood peckers, pileated wood peckers, owls, migratory geese, native butterflies, gopher turtles, rabbits, egrets, doves, horn bills, armadillos, osprey and countless other native species.

- Historical Preservation concerns – The 15 acres at 800 8th Ave SE is historical as a part of the site of the first dairy farm in Pinellas County. The farm was founded in 1924 by C E Donegan and was known as Donegan's certified dairy farm. The farmhouse built by C.E Donegan still stands, is in good condition and is adjacent to the 15 acres proposed for development. At one time there were 250 cows, with milk deliveries to stores and homes in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and the beaches. During World War II, the farm delivered milk on the beaches. The owner has used the 15 acres unopposed for the last 20 years and is now forced to sell due to the loss of use of the land. This land and the farm house should be considered for the “Florida Forever Plan” and should not be developed in any fashion until that consideration is complete.

- Major improvements to the road, on both sides, need to be undertaken by the city and county to mitigate safety issues. This is a major work that would be years in the making. The same holds true for any improvements that are needed for storm water, drainage, and sewer, which will be under more strain with approximately 400 additional toilets and showers in the complex. Sidewalks need to be constructed the length of the road, not just around the property being developed. There needs to be environmental impact studies ahead of this agreement. Residents contend this is not an appropriate use of the property in a single family home neighborhood on a two-lane road. We believe this is a short-sighted approach and the City needs to step back and gather more important information about the land in question, before making a decision. Please write to the commissioners and urge them to VOTE NO on this change. Attend the PUBLIC HEARING on October 5th at 6PM, either in person or via ZOOM, and make your voice heard!

08/08/2023

Neighborhood Information Meeting:
Sep13 Wed 5-7pm
Wed Sep 13, 2023 5pm – 7pm (EDT)
Largo City Hall

Developer will present new apartment proposal for 8th Ave SE and Donegan Rd.
Neighborhood Information Meeting for Allora Largo, the multifamily complex proposed for 800 8th Ave SE.
The applicant, Carlos Yepes of Belleair Development, submitted a Full-Scale site plan application reviewed at the August 2nd DRC meeting. The proposed development includes the construction of a 336-unit multifamily complex utilizing the provisions of the recently passed Live Local Act (SB 102). The proposal comprises of seven four-story residential buildings and an accessory clubhouse on the property generally located at 800 8th Ave SE (PIDs: 03-30-15-47970-100-0100 and 03-30-15-47970-100-1000). The site totals approximately 15.45 acres and is classified Industrial Limited (IL) on the City of Largo Future Land Use Map.

EDIT TO ADD DOCS >>>

02/18/2023

I just found this little tidbit in the City Manager's weekly newsletter...

WWBA RADIO TRANSMISSION TOWER APPROVED
On February 14, the Planning & Development Services Division of the City of Largo's Community Development Department approved a small-scale review case number SPR222-027 for WWBA Radio Transmission Towers located at 800 8th Avenue SE. The property is located on the south side of 800 8th Avenue SE and west of Donegan Road. This approval allows the applicant to construct two (2) new free-standing, non-stealth, radio transmission towers (190 feet in height), a 675 sq. ft. building (12 feet in height), landscape buffers, and associated infrastructure on a property. Genesis Communications of Tampa Bay has five (5) existing radio towers and a 3,200 sq. ft. building on site which will be demolished as part of this project. This site is designated as Industrial Limited (IL) on the Future Land Use Map.

07/09/2022

UPDATE – SAVE Lake Largo becomes URGENT again

The previous project to build apartments at 800 8th Ave. SE through a Development Agreement was disapproved by the City Commission. However, the same developer, Belleair Development Group (BDG) has now purchased the property and is proposing to build large industrial warehouses on the property.
Once again all Largo and other community citizens that do not want to see this land destroyed need to help stop or limit the extent of this new development challenge. The preliminary site plan is below.

As the plan shows, one warehouse would be 101,000 square feet while a second warehouse would be 96,300 square feet. With max allowed parking of 209 spaces. Although they call these warehouses one story, they are likely to stand anywhere from 40 to 60 feet in height.
This will be by an eyesore to all proximity housing which is mostly single-story single-family homes typically 10 to 15 feet tall. The development will take up 15.3 Acres taking up nearly all of the land leaving only 3.2 Acres of open area (not contiguous).
• This proposed development is not compatible with the surrounding housing community (land uses) policy of City Comprehensive Plan
• Does not respect the rights of surrounding property owners
o Would allow traffic from heavy trucks
o Would cause Loss of enjoyable use due to traffic backups, traffic noise and, air pollution
o Would hurt housing values and sales
• Does not respect the historical value of the land
• Does not seek to preserve the considerable animal habitat, wetland and spring on the land
Worst of all, the City is planning to push approval of this development without the benefit of any formal public hearings at all taking away the right of the community to formally object to it and get formal answers to questions and raised issues by the public.

HOW YOU CAN HELP SEE THE TWO WAYS BELOW
1. Write/email letters to the mayor, City Commission and Planning Board objecting to the proposed development formally identified as project number SPR122-014 to build warehouses at 800 8th Avenue SE.
o Write your own objections as well as what has been pointed out here if you agree

Names and email for Mayor and City Commission can be found here:
o https://www.largo.com/connect/mayor_and_commission/index.php

Email addresses for all of people on the planning board could not be found. Email [email protected] and ask for it to be sent to all members of the planning board.

2. Support the petition for Temporary Injunction against the City that has been filed in the 6th district court by one of our group members.
Show up to the hearing that will be scheduled in the near future. As soon as a hearing date, location and time are known it will be published here on Save Lake Largo.
Show your support by wearing a “SAVE LAKE LARGO” T-SHIRT TO COURT.
No words need be said by you in court. Just show up so the judge knows this is not just about one complainer. This petition seeks to stop the City of Largo from issuing a Development Order (allowing the developer to start his project) until the City of Largo moves to the appropriate Level III project review called for by the City Comprehensive Development Code (CDC). A level III review will cause a public hearing to occur and the public’s formal objections and issues heard.

When the court hearing date is set, its location and time will be published on this site under UPDATES. If the judge dismisses it, that will also be posed here.

06/05/2022

If anyone has lost a sale of their property due to the impending development of 800 8th Ave SE, please contact Carole Edmunds at [email protected]. She is working on statements to make a case. For example, if you put your property up for sale and then the prospective buyer learned of the proposed development at 800 and then did not buy for that reason. Please contact Carole as soon as you can!

05/27/2022

Here are the links for the Neighborhood Information Meeting held on 5/25 and the Code of Ordinances, which was asked about for the development regarding noise levels.

https://www.largo.com/connect/living_in_largo/permits_and_planning/neighborhood_information_meetings.php

https://library.municode.com/fl/largo/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH11EN_ARTIVNO

05/25/2022

REMINDER: The Neighborhood Information Meeting for the development on 800 8th Ave SE is being held TONIGHT at 6pm, City Hall. Hope you can make it!

05/10/2022

NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING, PLEASE ATTEND:

A Neighborhood Information Meeting for 800 8th Ave SE is officially set for May 25th at 6PM at City Hall (Community Room, 201 Highland Avenue, Largo). The developer will be present to answer questions and provide residents an overview of the project in a presentation format. Two, one-story warehouses are proposed for the site. Diane Friel is the case planner and can be contacted at 727-587-6749 Extension 7319. All properties within 500' of the site have been noticed by mail.

04/28/2022

UPDATE: The Informational Meeting has been POSTPONED, due to the developer not getting letters to the community mailed on time. I will update this poste again when we have a new date. Thank you!

There will be a Neighborhood Information Meeting at City Hall on Wednesday May 11th, at 6PM. The developer will be presenting his preliminary plan for the property, two warehouses to be built. Preliminary site plans have been submitted to the city but not yet approved. Please be sure to show up for this meeting!

Housing developments remain a focus around Largo

01/06/2022

Latest on 800 8th Ave SE and other developments...BDG has closed on the property as of 12/30/21. We will have to see what the developer proposes - a distribution center or townhomes - before knowing what steps or options we have.

Housing developments remain a focus around Largo LARGO — As the population around Pinellas County continues to increase, housing has been a high priority for city leaders. The need for affordable housing has amplified that effort. Several

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