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Tarpon Commission Likes Industrial Park Plan

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: January 16, 2009

Updated:

TARPON SPRINGS - City officials hope development of a proposed industrial park in the northeast section of the city will make an early contribution to efforts to diversify the city's tax base.

Almost two years ago, local developer Manuel Lindiakos asked city commissioners to rezone his roughly 7-acre property between Jasmine Boulevard and U.S. 19 from industrial to residential use in order to build town homes.

Tuesday night, the City Commission voted 5-0 to tentatively switch the zoning back to industrial, as Lindiakos had requested. The second and final reading on the rezoning request will be held Jan. 27.

Lindiakos told the City Commission he was ready to move forward with the multifamily residential complex he had been planning to build on the site north of Cycadia Cemetery but the bottom fell out of the Florida real estate market and no buyers came forward.

He asked to have the previous zoning restored to permit him to construct an industrial park and warehouse space for light manufacturing.

Lindiakos' property is bordered on the west by U.S. 19 and a car dealership, the south by Keystone Road and the city-owned cemetery, the east by Jasmine Boulevard, and the north by a residential neighborhood.

Commissioner Susan Slattery, who lives in the area, said she likes Lindiakos' latest proposal to construct an industrial park more than his previous plan, since it should create less traffic than if town homes were built.

In addition, the developer's plan to improve and extend Spruce Street should relieve some of the traffic problems along Jasmine Boulevard, she said.

Planning Director Renae Vincent said told commissioners the developer plans to extend Spruce Street from Jasmine Boulevard to U.S. 19 effectively relieving traffic congestion on Jasmine Boulevard. The main access to the project would be along Spruce Street.

Lindiakos told commissioners he already has several firms interested in relocating to Tarpon Springs.

He plans to add sidewalks along Jasmine, improve Pine Street and extend sewer service into the area.

A horse barn on the property will be razed but the building on the site that formerly housed an adult congregate living facility will remain, Lindiakos said.

According to Commissioner Robin Saenger, the finances of the city of Oldsmar are faring well despite the current severe nationwide economic downturn because the city on Upper Tampa Bay has a diversified tax base that includes light manufacturing and other commercial ventures.

In general, industrial and other forms of commercial property generate more in property tax revenue than residential property.

Industrial projects such as the one Lindiakos is proposing will help Tarpon Springs diversify its portfolio of businesses, Saenger told commissioners.

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