Politics & Government

237 Apartments Could Come to Belcher Road Intersection

No development application has been received, but a property owner's agreement to become part of the city could pave the way for the development of Webb's Nursery.

The development plans are not official, but residents near Webb’s Nursery are buzzing about them.

Changes to the 23.75-acre properties that include the Webb's Nursery at the corner of Belcher and Montclair roads would include redeveloping part of it as multi-family housing after Clearwater leaders approve annexing the properties into the city at their meeting Thursday.

It is anticipated that the single-family home would remain on the west parcel, while the east side of the property is redeveloped into a possible 237-unit apartment complex.

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The properties go back to the city’s pioneering days, when E.M. Beckett purchased 160 acres on Beckett Lake in 1882.

He planted citrus on the property in 1891. After a deep freeze killed citrus trees in the 1950s, Beckett's great-granddaughter, the late Ruth Webb, and her husband, the late Buford Webb, started a wholesale nursery in the 1960s.

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Their two sons, David Webb and Jamie Webb, and David's wife, Sharon, now run the wholesale nursery.

State Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, spoke in favor of the zoning change and possible development as a nearby resident, not an office holder.

“I think it has potential to be a great addition to our community in that area,” Hooper said during the Community Development Board meeting June 18. “I would much rather have this than a big box retail that would degrade the area.”

Other nearby residents complained of potential traffic concerns and environmental issues from redeveloping the land.

Marlene Calderone, who lives at Paradise Reserve at On Top of The World, said she collected 110 signatures on a petition against the zoning change and potential development.

“I’m concerned about the safety of joggers and bikers along that road,” Calderone said.


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