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Commission To Hear Meres Crossing Zoning Proposal
Tarpon Springs Planning and Zoning
The Tarpon Springs City Commission will consider a zoning change for the proposed Meres Crossing, a mixed-use retail, medical office and apartment project, adjacent to Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, seen here in an architect's rendering.
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Published: August 2, 2008
TARPON SPRINGS -- A zoning change request from the developer of Meres Crossing, adjacent to Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, will be heard by the City Commission next week.
The mixed-use retail, medical office and apartment project at Meres Boulevard and Alt 19 is viewed as a southern gateway into the city's downtown. It is also envisioned as an economic boost for the hospital, which is looking to attract more medical experts so patients are not referred to other hospital facilities.
Monday night the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended approval of changing various zoning and land use categories to a Special Area Plan and Planned Unit Development for Meres Crossing.
The City Commission will consider these proposed changes when it meets starting at 6:30 p.m. this Tuesday, Aug. 5.
The project, developed by AG Armstrong Development, proposes constructing of medical offices and biomedical research towers on parcels adjacent to Helen Ellis Memorial to attract more medical services and staff.
In a report to the city, representatives of the developer told planning commissioners the medical office would not exceed eight stories and the apartment structure will be no more than six stories in height.
The 7-acre complex will include apartments expected to mainly attract medical service workers and a senior living facility. It will also provide some units for families with patients who have to stay over at the hospital.
Overflow parking for the hospital will be provided near the medical component.
The retail portion of the development includes a Sweetbay supermarket and downtown branch of Regions Bank, along with several thousand square feet of retail shops.
Monday night planning commissioners noted an important component of the project is the extension of Meres Boulevard from its current eastern end, at Alt. 19, east to U.S. 19. The plan also envisions extending Safford Avenue north to connect with the new section of Meres Boulevard. The city has long planned for these additional routes linking U.S. 19 and Alt 19.
The project includes an extensive wetlands mitigation and improvement component, the developers note.
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