Largo Homeowners Voice Environmental Concerns Over Proposed Affordable Housing Project

Community Concerns Over Proposed Housing Development

• 🏡 Residents near Pine Street in Largo are expressing significant concerns about a proposed affordable housing development on a vacant property.
• 🌳 Long-time homeowners, like Marva Perry, who has lived in the area for nearly 50 years, are worried about the environmental impact on their community and cherished natural spaces.

Environmental History of the Property

• ⚠️ The property in question was formerly used as an old landfill and dumping ground, raising immediate environmental red flags.
• 🧪 A 1997 study revealed very high organic vapor readings and detected harmful substances such as arsenic, barium, chromium, and lead in shallow soil samples.
• 💧 Homeowner Charles Langley reports experiencing brown, foamy water buildup near his property after rain, which he believes originates from the adjacent site.

Resident Demands and Developer Response

• 🔬 Residents are calling for additional testing and borings by certified labs to ascertain the true environmental conditions of the land before any development proceeds.
• 🗣️ They explicitly state, "We don't want this in our community," highlighting their strong opposition to the project as it stands.
• 🤝 The developer's attorney stated that the client is aware of the property's challenges and will work with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure remedial requirements are met for public and future resident health and safety.

Development Proposal and Next Steps

• 📝 A developer applied for a land-use amendment to permit the construction of affordable housing units on the empty property.
• 🚫 The local planning agency has recommended denying the developer's request for the land-use agreement.
• 🗓️ A further hearing regarding the property is scheduled for November 18th, where the fate of the project will be further discussed.
• ⚖️ The developer also highlighted the pressing need for affordable housing in Pinellas County as a justification for the project.