Family Dollar Store Zoning Denied

Pinellas County Commissioners shot down a zoning request Tuesday evening that would have allowed a Family Dollar Store to be built at the corner of Virginia Ave. and Alt. 19.

"The residents that live around there pretty much told the story," said Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala before commissioners voted 6-0 to deny the request to change zoning from General Professional Office (P-1) to Neighborhood Commercial (C-1).

Many Residents Were Against a Zoning Change

Commissioners listened to pleas from 11 residents, some of whom helped gather more than 200 petition signatures opposing the zoning change. Many of the residents said they were worried about the increase in traffic that a Family Dollar Store could bring at an intersection that they consider dangerous. 

The busy Palm Harbor Post Office is on the other side of Alt. 19, directly across from the lot where the Family Dollar Store would have been built. There is no traffic light at the intersection.

"In my opinion, it is one of the most dangerous intersections in the area," said Sharon Agner, who lives in the neighborhood. Agner told commissioners she spoke with all the residents who live on Virginia Ave. and everyone said they were against the zoning change.  The budget-minded retiree also told commissioners that she likes the idea of a discount store.

"I am not opposed to a Family Dollar Store in the area. What I'm strongly opposed to is a Family Dollar Store or any retail store at that particular intersection. I think it's busy," she said.

Ron Cook has lived on Virginia Ave. for 12 years. He called the intersection one of the most dangerous he's ever seen. He also found fault with the Florida Department of Transportation's traffic count on Virginia Ave, saying the street is actually very quiet.

"Whoever came up with the information that 1,400 cars come down that street per day, that's the most absurd thing I have ever heard," he said.

Some residents raised concerns about trees that would be torn down if the zoning request were approved.  Carol Hewett disliked the idea of a chain store going in, saying it would not be well received by the locals, who favor mom and pop businesses.

"These are our friends and neighbors with their own unique businesses. Burger King failed in Palm Harbor, it was failing before the recession because we like to eat our breakfast and our lunch at our neighbors' businesses. We want to eat at Emily's and Chatterbox," she said. 

Pinellas County's Local Planning Agency and Others Supported the Zoning Change

During the commission meeting, Pinellas County's Local Planning Agency (LPA) recommended that Pinellas County Commissioners approve the zoning change. 

David Key, who is President and CEO of Patriot Bank which owns the property, told commissioners that Patriot Bank has owned the property for four years. Patriot Bank took the property back as a result of a foreclosure. Key said the Family Dollar Store offer was the first legitimate offer the bank had received. Pete Pensa, who is with the Avid Group, the engineering firm working on the property also gave a presentation in favor of the zoning change. 

However, it was not enough to convince commissioners, especially commissioner Latvala, who lives in Palm Harbor and knows the area and intersection well. She says safety is the main issue.

"It is crazy and it is incredibly dangerous. To come out or go there, you have to get in that middle turn lane, say a couple prayers and wait and dart. And I do it often, so I know it well," she said.

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