Council votes 3-2 to conditionally vacate portion of South Garden Avenue for Scientology project, with public concerns about downtown access and oversight

Clearwater City Council on March 17 approved on first reading an ordinance that would vacate a one-block portion of South Garden Avenue between Court Street and Franklin Street to allow construction of an auditorium and entry plaza proposed by the Church of Scientology. The council approved the vacation ordinance on a 3–2 vote after prolonged public comment and debate over downtown access, historic resources and contractual safeguards.

City Manager Jennifer Poirier outlined the background of the request and the negotiated terms staff brought forward: the city holds title to the parcel by operation of law, the city received three appraisals to establish market value, and the draft purchase-and-sale agreement in staff’s packet contains provisions intended to protect public interests. Tom Mahoney of Public Works summarized technical points, including retention of utility easements to protect city infrastructure until relocation or confirmed abandonment.

Public comment ran more than an hour. Opponents warned that vacating Garden Avenue would remove a publicly accessible route to downtown and said the Church of Scientology has not fulfilled earlier public promises…