Clearwater, again, approves Scientology request for Garden Avenue
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After more than a year of discussion, the Clearwater City Council again gave initial approval to allow the Church of Scientology to take over a stretch of downtown roadway.
Similar to a decision from last March, the council voted 3-2 Thursday evening to move forward with vacating South Garden Avenue in front of the church’s Flag Building.
But last year the city was going to receive more than $1 million for the road segment through a purchase and sale agreement. That was before the state attorney general said the church likely owns the land and therefore could ask for the road without paying fair market value. This went against a memorandum from the former city attorney that said the opposite.
Heeding the opinion of the state, the city decided it cannot sell the road. The request requires an additional vote before it’s official.
“I find no compelling basis for denying this request,” Council member David Allbritton said.
The church, which has its international spiritual headquarters in downtown Clearwater, has said it needs South Garden Avenue for a large event hall — plans for which go back to the early ‘90s. The person leading the design of the project said during the meeting the road is necessary for creating a safety buffer.
Scientologists packed the Clearwater Main Library for the discussion Thursday. Dozens of people signed up to speak in favor of the request, saying a vote of support will allow for the completion of their campus, provide a safe environment for events and positively contribute to downtown.
“Many of us have supported this project, donated to it and have been waiting years to see it become a reality,“ said Ellen Firestone.
Multiple city employees had concerns regarding the request, according to an internal review, including traffic analysis included in the application. The city’s engineer also said the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority may need the road for a future bus route, although council members in support of the request contested this.
The city approved a development application for the event hall in 2018. The church did not ask for South Garden Avenue or other public streets at that time. According to the memorandum from former city attorney David Margolis, Scientology never applied for building permits or “took any other discernible action” to begin construction. The church’s approval for the project expired in 2019.
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