City To Seek Input On Firmenich Property Development
By 
The Safety Harbor City Commission agreed on Monday night to hold a workshop to receive input on what should be done at the long-vacant Firmenich property.
The proposed meeting would involve representatives from the city and county as well as members of the community; it would most likely take place at the Safety Harbor Public Library.
The idea was suggested by Commissioner Carlos Diaz and was prompted by a recent meeting with Firmenich Citrus Center officials regarding the fate of the 34-acre parcel of land located on SR590/10th Street South.
“The future of the Firmenich property is coming up again,” Diaz said during his Commission Report, “and we need to try to get the Pinellas County Economic Development people involved and see what kind of ideas they have to market that piece of property.”
Vice Mayor Cliff Merz concurred with Diaz’s statements, saying “being proactive and getting involved is the right thing to do” in regards to the matter.
For those who aren’t familiar with the Firmenich saga, it began nearly two years ago when a developer wanted to build an apartment complex and office park on the property.
After receiving approval from the Safety Harbor Planning and Zoning board and the City Commission, the proposal went before the Board of County Commissioners in May of 2013; the board, acting as the Countywide Planning Authority, unanimously rejected the plan not once but twice, ignoring a judge’s recommendation in the process.
Following the latest rejection of the Richman Group’s proposal this past January, a spokesperson for the developer said they were looking at all their options regarding the ruling, which could have included taking legal action against the county.
But instead of fighting the decision, the developer decided to back off and abandon its plans to built a 246-unit residential complex, complete with 20,000 square feet of office space, on the site, according to city officials.
In the wake of these recent events, Mayor Andy Steingold and Community Development Director Matt McLachlan met with representatives from Firmenich last week, and they learned that officials for the citrus scent manufacturer are committed to implementing a plan for the property that will be beneficial to all parties.
“The Mayor and Mr. McLachlan met with Firmenich, and they had a very positive meeting,” City Manager Matt Spoor said. “They discussed the support the city and residents have for trying to develop what the site will look like in the future.”
“We provided some proposals for Firmenich to consider, and we’re waiting to hear back from them,” he added. “They’re very willing to to work with the residents in the surrounding areas to come up with something that works well for everybody.”
After asking what type of format the commissioners preferred for the meeting, after some discussion, they ultimately settled on a workshop at the library at a date and time to be determined at the next City Commission meeting on June 16.
“I think we need to have a city-wide workshop at the library to involve the residents,” Vice Mayor Merz suggested.
“I think it’s a very good idea to involve the residents…before we take any action,” Mayor Steingold agreed.
Related:
- County Board Denies Firmenich Proposal Again (1/14/14)
- Firmenich Issue Goes Back To County Commission Today (1/14/14)
- Judge’s Ruling Could Lead To Firmenich Property Development (11/19/13)
Just revisiting this, if the board had approved it, then they would probably be very close to opening the apartments.
So basically that is about 300 less residents, and a decaying citrus center.
Citrus Center in Safety Harbor??? Btw, if you look at the demographics of Safety Harbor, I’m pretty sure your not going to find too many migrant seasonal workers, nor any citrus farms?
Eric,
It passed here in SH, but was voted down twice by the county. The vote was to change the zoning from light industrial to various forms
of residential and commercial…
Keep it light industrial preferably citrus related, orange, grapefruit, tangerine juice plant & give tours, there used to be a citrus center on US 19 which now very disappointing it is a car dealership as if we need anymore of those, that citrus place was awesome, now the closest citrus place is Parkesdale in Plant City which is too far for any of us to drive, I hope this will be considered, thanks!
The site is perfect for apartments….I don’t see the issue. I understand jobs and light industrial and all of that, but the site has been vacant for a long time right?
They could have easily just called on Richman to change the site plan more.
Eric,
The Richman Group was not willing to compromise, and would not listen to the residents, who were not totally against the apartments, but the density and no second ingress/egress. It could have worked but it was all or nothing for them…
But I thought it passed the Safety Harbor City Council?
I’m sorry. I’m just not a NIMBY. Traffic concerns are usually way too overblown.