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Debate Rages Over East Lake Woodlands

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: February 7, 2009

EAST LAKE - East Lake Woodlands residents will have the final say on whether the city of Oldsmar will annex the community.

The subdivision's community association hopes residents say no.

Oldsmar wants to annex not only the sprawling East Lake Woodlands but also a trio of nearby commercial sites, the Shoppes of Boot Ranch, East Lake Woodlands Shopping Center and the Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems complex.

If approved, the annexation would increase Oldsmar's population, from about 14,000 to more than 20,000. Oldsmar would collect an additional $2.75 million in property tax revenue. That estimate, however, is based on 2008 values, which are expected to decline, city officials note.

East Lake Woodlands residents will vote on the proposed annexation via mail and Oldsmar residents will have no vote on the issue. (See accompanying Voting Information box, on page 2.)

The city will hold two town hall meetings on the proposed annexation, both at 7 p.m. They will take place Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Thursday, Feb. 12, at the East Lake Woodlands County Club.

In addition, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Oldsmar will hold an informational gathering with representatives of city departments in attendance at its Canal Park Sports Complex, 3120 Tampa Road.

Finally, Pinellas County will hold a meeting on the proposed annexation 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at East Lake High School, 1300 Silver Eagle Drive. Pinellas officials will provide information on the impact of the proposed annexation on public services in the East Lake Woodlands area.

City Manager Bruce Haddock said there are many reasons for East Lake Woodlands residents to approve annexation into Oldsmar.

As part of an annexation agreement, for example, the city would assume maintenance of five main collector roads within the complex, Haddock said. In addition, the city would assume maintenance responsibility over the storm-water system from the East Lake Woodlands Community Association, he said.

Other potential benefits of East Lake Woodlands residents, Haddock said, are:

•A reduction in recreation fees.

•Lower premiums for federal flood insurance.

•An increase in Sheriff's Office patrols, with three additional deputies dedicated to the East Lake Woodlands area.

At its Jan. 9 meeting, however, the board of directors of the East Lake Woodlands Community Association passed a resolution opposing annexation. The board asked the city to drop its annexation effort.

In a special edition of the East Lake Woodlands Heron, the association's official publication, the board declared that the positive effects of annexation would be outweighed by the potential removal of the community's security gates if the city assumed maintenance of the roadway network.

City officials, however, say the security gates will remain in place. In fact, additional security gates could be installed, they say.

Meanwhile, officials of the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District are not pleased with the potential loss of East Lake Woodlands from the district's property tax base. The district operates East Lake Fire Rescue, which provides fire and emergency medical service services to East Lake-area residents.

One of East Lake Fire Rescue's three firehouses, Station 56, is near East Lake Woodlands.

East Lake Woodlands residents provide slightly more than $1.1 million in annual property tax revenue to the Fire District that would be lost if the community were annexed, the Fire District's Web site warns.

In response, Oldsmar's City Manager said, "Fire protection will remain the same, as the city will contract with the East Lake Fire District to continue to provide the same coverage."

East Lake Fire Chief Jeff Malzone, however, said there is no interlocal agreement in place that assures that statement will remain true over the long term.

The loss of tax revenue would force East Lake Fire Rescue to close Station 56, constructed in 1996, Malzone said. Station 56 is just north of Tampa Road, on East Lake Road.

If no long-term agreement can be reached, Oldsmar firefighters would be the first-responders in East Lake Woodlands, Malzone said. The lone Oldsmar Fire Rescue firehouse, Station 54, is off Tampa Road, near East Lake Woodlands.

That shouldn't be a problem, according to Haddock. "We believe the city of Oldsmar is better able to provide local government services to East Lake Woodlands in the long term because of our diversified tax base and geographical proximity," he said.

One of the major benefits of annexation is that taxes East Lake Woodlands residents pay would remain in the expanded city, Haddock said. That tax revenue is now spent throughout unincorporated Pinellas County, he noted.

If East Lake Woodlands were annexed the city would improve the community's park on Sunflower Drive, according to Haddock. Likely changes would include improvements to the soccer and baseball fields and basketball court. A playground and picnic shelters are included in plans.

Voting information

Eligible people who want to cast a ballot in the referendum on the proposed annexation and are not registered to vote in Pinellas County have until this Monday, Feb. 9, to register. The annexation vote will be conducted entirely through the mail. No polling places will be opened.

On Feb. 18 the Supervisor of Elections Office will mail ballots to all registered voters within the proposed annexation area, Precincts 632 and 642. Any registered voter who does not receive a ballot after that date should call the supervisor's office at 727-464-6788. Residents of the city of Oldsmar are not eligible to vote. To be counted a ballot must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. March 10.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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