Residents Protest Proposed "Tall
Condo" on Edgewater Drive in Clearwater
Article Courtesy of Spectrum Bay News Channel 9
By Laurie Davison
Published May 25, 2019
CLEARWATER — Neighbors
are protesting plans to build what they call
a "tall condo" building along Edgewater
Drive in Clearwater.
Protest drew about 50 people
Friday
Residents worry structure will
change "old Florida" feel of neighborhood
Public hearing on proposal
scheduled for Tuesday, May 21 at 1 p.m.
About 50 people stood on Edgewater
Drive Friday night, holding signs to show their opposition.
"The concern about the condo is that it's way too large for
our community," said Dean Falk.
The protesters said the building would be seven stories — at
least 86 feet tall — with 79 units built directly across
from Edgewater Drive Park.
Protesters on Edgewater Drive in Clearwater, Friday,
May 17, 2019
They worry it will block their water views, change the "old Florida" feel of
the neighborhood, and add to the already congested traffic in the area.
"It's not going to minimize traffic, it's only going to increase it," said
Mary Kate Belniak. "We have concerns about people who need to cross this
street, cross Edgewater Drive to come over and enjoy the beautiful park."
The land is zoned for tourism, and the residents said they're not entirely
against a condo building going up.
They said they'd be ok with something similar in size to a 3-story hotel
next door.
"We just don't want it to stand out like an eyesore," said Falk.
We did try to contact the developer for a comment, but could not reach them
after hours.
There will be a public hearing on the proposal before the Community
Development Board on Tuesday, May 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the Clearwater Main
Library, 100 Osceola Street.