CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater residents raised concerns Tuesday night about a proposal to redevelop The Landings Golf Club into a sports and recreation complex as the city prepares for upcoming council discussions.
Dozens of community members attended a meeting to learn more about the proposal from Porter Development. The plan would convert the golf course into a multi-activity sports and recreation campus with 13 soccer fields, a 5,000-seat arena, a water park and other amenities.
Melissa Stamos, a founding member of Keep Keene Green, said residents want more information before the proposal goes before Clearwater City Council.
“It is going to be a major quality of life issue,” Stamos said. “They’re talking about 2,000 parking spots.”
“This is going to congest traffic in our neighborhood. It’s going to cause a lot of pollution,” said Natalie Waterman, who lives in the St. Andrews Cove condominiums near the golf course.
Porter Development owner Les Porter said the complex would generate $566 million in direct and indirect spending over 10 years. He said the city-owned facility currently does not pay property taxes.
“A nice sliver of those dollars will be property tax, and I know that’s on the forefront of everyone’s mind with the pending legislation,” Porter said.
Stamos said Keep Keene Green was formed in 2020 after a previous proposal for a possible industrial complex at The Landings. That plan did not pass a public vote, but the group continued using its Facebook page to share information and has gained more members.
Stamos said one of the group’s concerns is how development of the 77-acre green space could affect the environment, including stormwater runoff.
“We already witnessed flooding and heavy rains in the golf course and along Keene,” Stamos said. “So, we have serious concerns.”
Porter said the project could help address stormwater issues by adding updated infrastructure.
“The golf course was developed in 1970. As you know, code has changed quite a bit. So, we’re going to put in new infrastructure up to today’s code,” Porter said.
Clearwater Assistant City Manager Al Battle said in a statement that the city council is expected to discuss the proposal during an August 3 work session. The proposal is also scheduled for discussion at the August 6 city council meeting, when residents can provide public comment.
Battle said no final decision is expected at that meeting. Council members will tell staff whether they want to move forward with negotiations, and if they do, more public meetings will be scheduled before the proposal could be approved.
Porter said the early construction budget is about $180 million. He said the development team plans to ask for about $45 million in tourist development tax dollars.