A group of residents in Seminole, Fla., formed a group called “Save The Tides Golf Course,” in an effort to prevent the 72-hole golf course from being redeveloped by homebuilder Taylor Morrison. The group claims to have collected over 10,000 signatures to save the property, which is currently bank-owned by Wells Fargo.
Residents in Seminole, Fla., are fighting to prevent The Tides Golf Club from becoming a subdivision, the St. Petersburg (Fla.)-based Bay News 9 reported.
The 72-hole golf course overlooks Boca Ciega Bay in unincorporated Pinellas County. The land is bank-owned after Wachovia, now Wells Fargo, foreclosed on it four years ago, News 9 reported.
“When you see the sunsets come out, you think this is paradise,” resident Ron Stephenson said. “It’s not going to be paradise anymore. It’s going to be 170 homes, concrete and asphalt and water, and The Tides is going to be gone.”
A wildlife sanctuary filled with rolling sea grass and rare birds sits along Stephenson’s backyard. The property is part of The Tides Golf Club and is in danger of being eliminated, News 9 reported.
That’s why Stephenson and others, such as Ed Methfessel, teamed up to form the group “Save The Tides Golf Course,” News 9 reported.
“It’ll change the whole dynamics of Seminole as well as even Pinellas County,“ said Methfessel.
Developer Taylor Morrison has a proposal on the table to close the golf course and build 170 homes, but Pinellas County has to agree to rezone the property, News 9 reported.
“The Tides Golf Course is currently under the ownership of Wells Fargo and its real estate subsidiaries,” said Tony Squitieri, Taylor Morrison Vice President, in a statement to News 9. “Due to the age of the golf course, its operating and infrastructure replacement costs and surrounding competition, the bank and the community have to have a plan as to what happens to this area when the golf course closes. The bank has come to the conclusion that the property cannot be operated as a golf course in the future.
“Taylor Morrison is planning a low-density, environmentally friendly residential redevelopment. This project will provide a significant environmental benefit to the Bay and surrounding water resources by helping to clean up the Boca Ciega Bay watershed. In addition, the redevelopment will provide public green space for residents and wildlife.”
Residents trying to save The Tides said they have collected more than 10,000 signatures in support of their efforts, News 9 reported.
Pinellas County commissioners will talk about this issue in September and it’s likely a decision will be made at a meeting in October, News 9 reported.
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