Briarwood Development Agreement Approved by City Commission

The Largo City Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve a development agreement for the Seminole Boulevard RV park, paving the way for an apartment complex to be built on the site.

Residents from the Briarwood Travel Villa came to Largo City Hall on Tuesday hoping the commission would sympathize with their plight and not approve an agreement that would ultimately demolish the RV park they call home. But despite a pre-meeting protest and numerous comments during the meeting, the commission voted unanimously to approve the development agreement between the city, the owners of the property and the developer. Promising to work with residents on relocation arrangements and costs, all six commissioners signed off on the agreement, which paves the way for a 260-unit apartment complex to be built on the site at 2098 Seminole Blvd. "I understand your plight. I understand your needs here," Commissioner Curtis Holmes told the …

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Pinellas Heights Developers Ask for Brownfield Designation

Developers of the 153-unit, senior apartment complex are asking Largo city leaders to designate the property near Ulmerton Road and the Pinellas Trail a brownfield.

Developers of a 153-unit, senior apartment complex are asking Largo city leaders to designate the property near Ulmerton Road and the Pinellas Trail a brownfield. The designation would allow tax incentives and credits to the apartment developers — Norstar Development USA, LP and the Pinellas County Housing Authority —because of perceived contamination from previous uses on the 8.27-acre parcel. Largo city leaders vote on the designation Tuesday. The $24-million, nearly 150,000-square-foot building will replace the mostly vacant former Greenhouse Shoppes shopping center, which at one time had a grocery store, drug store and Church’s chicken, where a small car dealership is now. It also is the site of Pinellas County Housing Authority …

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2012 Largo Firefighter of the Year Andrew Dixon Receives National Medal of Honor

In addition, Fire Department Service Employee of the Year Julie Barlet was recognized, and three new firefighters were sworn in during a ceremony at City Hall last week.

Andrew Dixon, the Largo Fire Department's 2012 Firefighter of the Year, received a National Medal of Honor for earning the award in a ceremony at City Hall last week. Dixon, an 11-year veteran of the department, was a unanimous selection for the award when it was announced in February. "This year we did the nominations a bit differently," interim fire chief Shelby Williams said during the April 16 City Commission meeting. "We allowed the fire service personnel to send in nominations for any fire rescue employee." "We selected a nomination and a selection committee," she continued, "they reviewed all the nominations and ... they unanimously selected Andrew Dixon as Firefighter of the Year for 2012." Williams went on to state that Dixon has …

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Largo Looks Into Buying Land For Future Trailhead

The 1.4-acre parcel on Roosevelt Boulevard owned by the Walker Ford Co. would be used as a trailhead for a planned Progress Energy Trail extension.

The Largo City Commission agreed last week to look into purchasing a parcel of land to use as a future trailhead for the planned Progress Energy Trail extension. The 1.4-acre property, which is owned by the Walker Ford Co., is located at 2850 Roosevelt Blvd., just east of the U.S. 19 overpass. Assistant City Manager Mike Staffopoulos informed the commission during the April 16 meeting that the property has been on the market for more than a year, and the asking price has recently been reduced to $349,500.  “Staff feels that this would be an ideal local for a future trailhead, and we seek authorization to begin negotiations,” Staffopoulos said. Despite receiving unanimous approval, some commissioners expressed reservations about the …

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Briarwood RV Park Development Talks Put on Hold by Largo Commission

The matter was scheduled to be addressed at Tuesday's meeting, but was moved to May 7 due the absence of some commission members.

The discussion of a development agreement for the Briarwood RV Park will have to wait another couple of weeks after the Largo City Commission moved to postpone the public hearing on the issue. Largo Principal Planner Jesus Nino requested the matter be moved to the next commission meeting due to the fact that a number of commissioners were not present at Tuesday night's session, including Mayor Pat Gerard. "The public hearing for this case was advertised for tonight, but because some of the commissioners are absent tonight, staff is requesting to continue this public hearing to the May 7, 2013 city commission meeting," Nino said. Acting chairperson Harriet Crozier and the other three commissioners present agreed with Nino's request. The …

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Largo Prostitutes, Look Out

An amendment to an ordinance passed by the Largo City Commission this week closes loopholes in state and local laws that prevented Largo Police from making prostitution related arrests.

The Largo City Commission voted unanimously Monday to approve an amendment to an ordinance that will make it easier for police officers to arrest suspected prostitutes. Ordinance No. 2013-41 will allow Largo Police to make an arrest based on public behavior that is consistent with a verified pattern of solicitation that usually precedes an act of prostitution. In the past, officers had been stymied by loopholes in city and state laws that made it easier for prostitution suspects to avoid arrest. “The prostitutes that have been arrested multiple times have found a way of screening us,” said Sgt. Michael Bruno said at the April 2 commission meeting, adding that prostitutes usually ask for some inappropriate behavior to be shown by the …

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Largo Commissioners Approve Transportation Plan

The plan will focus on bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Largo City Commissioners have approved a long-term transportation plan focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety, according to a report fron Largo Leader. The approved resolution is a culmination of a yearlong, three-phase project that outlines the next 25 years of funding and scheduling for transportation projects, the Beacon reported. “The implementation of the plan will result in bicycle and pedestrian improvements that will expand transportation options as well as improve transportation safety for all members of our community who work and play in the city of Largo,” city engineer Leland Dicus explained. To read the rest of the Largo Leader's report, click here.  Sign up for the Largo Patch email newsletter to get our top headlines …

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Largo Commission Favors Alternate Data Center Location

The Largo City Commission is considering placing the proposed new data center near the old feed store instead of the library.

The Largo City Commission asked city staff to explore placing the proposed new data center near the Old Largo Feed Store instead of the Largo Public Library. In November, city leaders approved the creation of construction documents for a new data center in the southwest corner of the library's parking lot. Since that time, a few questions came up, including: For close to two hours Jan. 15, the Largo City Commission discussed next steps for its data center. Largo's current data center is on the second-floor of Largo City Hall. The space's floor will not support needed equipment, and the building does not have adequate electrical and air-conditioning services, said Information Technology Director Harold Schomaker. With constant improvements …

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Largo City Commission

New Largo Vice Mayor, City Leaders Sworn In

The Largo City Commission appointed a new vice mayor on Nov. 13. Plus, Mayor Patricia Gerard, Commissioner Curtis Holmes and Commissioner James Robinson took the oath of office for a four-year term.

Largo welcomed a new commissioner and appointed a vice mayor at a special meeting Nov. 13. New City Commissioner James Robinson took the oath of office. He was elected on Nov. 6. Mayor Patricia Gerard and Commissioner Curtis Holmes also took the oath of office. Incumbents Gerard and Holmes were not opposed for re-election. Commssioner Woody Brown is Largo's new Vice Mayor. Mayor Patricia Gerard recommended Brown for the post. He will serve a two-year term. Due to recent city charter changes, Largo commissioners now serve four-year terms. This was done to save the city money by only having city elections when county elections are already being held. City commission elections are now held every other year at the same time as county elections…

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Feed Store Manager Returns to Work After Commission Election Win

Largo City Commissioner-Elect James Robinson was back at work on Wednesday at the Largo Feed Store.

Wednesday was just another day of work for Largo City Commissioner-Elect James Robinson, who returned to his job as manager of the Largo Feed & Garden Supply Inc. a day after winning the race for Seat Four. Robinson beat out Robert Hunsicker with about 59 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election, according to unofficial results from the Pinellas Supervisor of Elections. Robinson said many people had stopped into the feed store on Wednesday and congratulated him. The 35-year-old has worked at the feed store for 18 years. He started as a clerk and did deliveries, working his way up to his current position as manager, he said. "I like small business," Robinson said. "The money stays in the community. I like to see people shop small …

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Louis Sclafani

5:41 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012

Congrats. Now role up your sleeve and get to work. Many will try and tear you down but if you just do what you beleive is "right" you will be OK. Good luck.   more ›