The images included in this petition are images of the land at the property at 800 8th Ave SE where a Land Development project is propsed to be built.  The community will need to rise up if we want to stop this land from being destroyed. The Allora project proposes to build a massive complex of 336 multifamily and low-income apartments along a two-lane road with no shoulders in a Largo single family residential area. The community strength defeated a previously proposed apartment complex from being constructed on this Land by working with our city commissioners. Now the powers that be are attempting to silence our OUR VOICES by useing the State Live Local Act.

These people expect us to stand by and just let this happen with the land going from the first picture below to the 2nd picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The project developer DOES NOT propose to make any infrastructure improvements other than a sidewalk. All of us in the community will suffer

• Higher property taxes
• Loss of property value
• Potential Flooding
• Unsustainable traffic
• Largo Middle School Safety issues
• Sewer, water, electricity impact
• Evironmental and animal habitat destruction
• Air quality degredation
• Noise

The image below shows where the proposed project is to be built in our community and this beautiful greenspace will be destroyed..  The land it is proposed to be built on is labeled "subject property" on the image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Florida Live Local Act stops the ability for citizens to defeat a project like this. This is being done by removing the requirement for municipalities to hold public hearings and allow the voices of citizens to defeat unsuitable projects. Neither does there seem to be any provision for appeal by citizens under the Live Local Act . This is a violation of our rights. The act does not provide funds for municipalities to make necessary infrastructure improvements to accommodate these projects yet the developers receive tax credits and will make fortunes on these projects leaving the citizens of Largo stuck with paying the bill in higher property taxes.  More info on the Live Local Act here:

https://www.wusf.org/local-state/2024-03-02/florida-lawmakers-pass-legislation-to-change-live-local-act-affordable-housing-law

I can't believe that our Govenor Ron DeSantis signed this bill as it is. What was he thinking? It is destroying communities and taking away the voices and powers of community citizens. There are always things that shouldn't be and citizens need at least have the opportunity to legally appeal.

As a property owner adjacent to the proposed site of the Allora project I am deeply concerned about its potential negative impact on our community.  The scale of this development is completely incompatible with surrounding land uses and will undoubtedly generate an unsustainable amount of traffic for our small road to handle as well as many other negative impacts. 

• 8th Avenue SE serves traffic to and from the Largo Middle School and connects to Central Park Drive upon which the Largo Library, Cultural Arts Center and Cental Park are located. Imagine the traffic tie ups this development will cause during events at these community activity center facilities in addition to the already existing traffic backups during middle school drop off and pick up. It will make safety of the school zone on 8th Ave SE more difficult that it already is.
• This project proposes to elevate the land at the development site which has the potential to exacerbate flooding in the area during exceptional weather events.
• Furthermore, this land currently serves as a vital greenspace for our community and is home and a migration corridor to various wildlife species, some of which are supposed to be protected by law. The loss of this habitat would be devastating not only for animals but for the surrounding community as well who value the natural habitat and beauty it brings to our neighborhoods and community.
• Our community has already witnessed too much destruction of greenspaces without any substantial infrastructure improvements or thoughtful preservation efforts. There are suitable areas in the City of Largo to serve the purpose of the State Live Local Act and we all know that more housing is needed BUT the land at 800 8th Ave SE is not suitable. 

This is not a  traditional petition.  It will not be submitted to any city, county or state entity as a primary means of defeating the Allora project. It will be provided to city, county, state officials to show the strength of our opposition. But at this point the petition alone  will not prevail in stopping Allora due to the Live Local Act.  

We need to act with strong community opposition and willingness to work to defeat this project. This petition will get consensus from the surrounding public and to establish a list of people who are willing to help fight against the Allora project.  If there is enough consensus and enough people willing to help, we will organize and see what next steps we can take to fight Allora. 

We cannot allow this unfettered trend of taking away citizens rights to  continue. It's time we take a stand against such developments that prioritize profit over people and nature.

I urge you all - especially those residing in Park Place and other surroundng neighborhoods and the entire Largo community and county to join me in opposing the Allora project at 800 8th Ave SE in Largo, FL.

Let's protect our community from further environmental degradation and ensure that proposed developments align with sustainable practices that respect both human needs and wildlife habitats.

Please sign this petition  and include your name, email address. Your email address is kept safely in the change.org application.  Please add comments with ignature with your phone number and/or ideas that may be helpfull to help the community fight against this project.  Your comments and knowledge may become critical to our success.

Lastly, PLEASE SHARE THIS PETITION with others you know. 

Your contributions go to Change.org to promote our petition.