SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Call for a special election to be held in conjunction with the presidential election on November 3, 2020, submitting to the electors a referendum question authorizing the lease of real property currently identified as recreation/open space on the Comprehensive Land Use map for the purpose of developing it for light industrial, research, technology and office use, authorize the appropriate officials to execute same and adopt Resolution 20-31.
Body
SUMMARY:
Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section 2.01(d)5(v) states in relevant part, "No municipally owned real property identified as recreation/open space on the city's comprehensive land use plan map on November 16, 1989 (or as may be amended thereafter), may be sold, donated, leased for a new use, or otherwise transferred without prior approval at referendum,…"
The City is the owner of a 78.52 acre (MOL) real property identified as recreation/open space on the City's comprehensive land use plan, known as The Landings Golf Course and located on the east side of Keene Road, north of Airport Drive (City Property), whose property address is 1875 Airport Drive, Clearwater, Florida 33765.
The City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Clearwater to lease a 57.92-acre portion of said City Property (Lease Property) for the purpose of development as a 710,000sq. ft. light industrial, research, technology, office and accessory park.
On June 18, 2020, at its regularly scheduled City Council meeting, Council held a noticed public hearing for the purpose of declaring a 66-acre portion of the 78.5-acre Landings Golf Course surplus for the purpose of development of the site as light industrial. At that hearing, Council determined that an additional 8.31 acres would be retained as a parkland buffer area by the city and reduced the property to be declared surplus to 57.92 acres MOL.
At the City Council meeting of June 18, 2020, the City Council approved a Lease Proposal for the Lease Property, submitted by Harrod Properties, Inc., conditioned on voter approval of the proposed use, subsequent Land Use Plan amendment, and rezoning of the Lease Property.