Neighbors Raise Concerns About Proposed Apartments at Briarwood RV Park

Neighbors have raised concerns about a proposed land use change that could allow for an apartment complex near the Largo Mall.

The Largo City Commission approved Nov. 7 on first reading the change, which could allow apartments to be built at the Briarwood Travel Villa. The RV park is off of Seminole Boulevard, just north of Ulmerton Road.

The change would allow for a proposed 260-unit apartment complex at the 13.8-acre Briarwood RV Park parcel, according to a city report.

The Briarwood spokesman at the meeting said the parcel currently has around 138 units.

Neighbors raised concerns about traffic and the apartments obstructing their view. The land use change would still need more city, county and state approvals before the apartments could be built.

"What will this do to the property value of the neighbors, their quality of life, traffic, wetlands? What does it do to tax values," asked Stanley Brand, who lives nearby.

"All the areas in there are low. Right now we see trees and level ground ... we are kind of like in our own country," resident Frances Jancso said. "I just feel this is a bad thing to do."

A representative for the property's owner, Steve McConihay, said that the planning process would include a neighborhood compatibility meeting, with residents having the opportunity to look at site plans once they are developed.

According to the city, the proposed development would be compatible with the surrounding properties around the Largo Mall area. The Briarwood parcel was voluntarily annexed into the city in August, said Largo Program Planner Jesus Niño.

The Largo City Commission also approved on first reading a related ordinance that creates the residential high land use designation for the Largo Mall area and the U.S. 19 and Roosevelt Boulevard area. 

The designation still needs to pass on second reading at a Nov. 20 meeting. Developers need to apply for the residential high designation, and development must follow various restrictions such as direct access to roads, required setbacks and sidewalk connections, according to a city report.

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