Commission rejects land‑use change for East Bay Country Club after residents raise traffic and safety concerns

The Largo City Commission on April 1 voted 5–2 to disapprove a proposed change to the city’s future land‑use map that would have allowed up to 104 residential units on a 1.6‑acre portion of property associated with the East Bay Country Club.

City staff and the applicant presented background showing the property’s long planning history: starting with 1988 covenants that clustered up to 475 vested dwelling units across five parcels, subsequent amendments in 1996, and a current proposal that the owner, Florin Gulf Investors, said would use 104 of the remaining vested units while extinguishing 89 other vested units. The applicant said the change would generate capital to invest in the golf course and related amenities.

Applicants’ representatives — Lauren Rubinstein of law firm Hill Ward Henderson, planner Lori Viola (Stantec) and property manager Bruce Orr — told the commission the 1.6‑acre parcel is outside FEMA flood zones, had been previously used for parking and could be developed without harming the larger golf-course layout. Rubinstein emphasized that the package included a separate amendment to the declaration of covenants and restrictions that would permanently restrict other parts of the course for golf-use only.

Opponents — including several homeowners’ association officers and residents who live along Country Club Drive — urged the commission to reject the amendment because the private Country Club Drive is narrow (roughly 20 feet) and lacks sidewalks, bike lanes and adequate lighting. Those speakers emphasized public-safety risks for pedestrians, bikes, scooters and emergency vehicles, and repeatedly asked for an updated traffic study before any land‑use change.

Fred Hyam, president of the East Bay condominium homeowners’ association, told the commission the road is “already overburdened” and called the location “perhaps the worst” place on the property for added residential development. His group supplied photos and said the private drive has numerous access points, potholes and frequent maintenance issues.

Property owner Bruce Orr said he has managed East Bay for more than 35 years and argued the proposal would protect and upgrade the golf course, fund a renovated pro shop and improve the amenity for residents citywide. The planning board had recommended approval 5–0 at a prior meeting.

Commission debate focused on traffic, emergency access and the limits of the city’s authority over a private road; city staff and counsel explained that private-road maintenance is not controlled by the city, and that approval of a land‑use change would still require subsequent site-plan reviews addressing traffic, stormwater, parking and public‑facilities impacts. Counsel also noted that a future site plan could be denied if it failed to meet applicable code requirements.

The initial motion — to transmit the amendment to the Countywide Planning Authority for review and schedule second reading — failed on a 2–5 vote. A follow‑up motion to disapprove the ordinance on first reading passed 5–2. The planning‑board recommendation and written application materials will remain part of the public record, but the commission’s vote ends transmittal and prevents the county review step that would have been required for a second reading.

Actions recorded: proposed ordinance (FLUMA) to change a 1.6‑acre area at 702 Country Club Drive from Recreation/Open Space to Residential Medium and a proposed third amendment to the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions (East Bay Country Club) — outcome: disapproved by the City Commission on first reading (motion to disapprove passed 5–2).