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08/28/2024 Developers Meeting Summary

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING MEETING NOTES AND SUMMARY SUBMITTED BY A RESIDENT WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING

Thank you to all of our neighbors who attended the Developers Meeting at the Tarpon Woods Golf Course clubhouse on 08/28/2024 in an effort to stop the proposed development. The meeting was held by the owners at the last minute to "check off" the box required on the SWFWMD application that a neighborhood meeting was held. Now they are one step closer to moving ahead with their plans.

Last night's meeting was a considered approach by the owners and their lawyers to artfully convey a tiny part of the entire development plan. Significant questions were cleverly sidestepped to keep the focus on allegedly only creating the "Brooker Creek Mitigation Bank" as opposed to the long term plan that was discussed during the Pinellas County Development Review Committee meeting on 07/01/2024.

Here are some of the meeting details:

- The "owners" of the golf course were in attendance, however, they refused to identify themselves.

- The "bait and switch" presentation focused on the "Brooker Creek Mitigation Bank" only, instead of focusing on the entirety of the project. The filling in of the ponds creates acreage which could be used for a future housing development done through the act of selling valuable mitigation credits to other developers (or themselves) which allows the purchaser of those credits to destroy other wetlands as well.

- The FACT is that there is acreage that does not fall into the "Brooker Creek Mitigation Bank" proposed area which is open for any type of development the owners can profit from.

- The FACT is that the mitigation developer couldn't or wouldn't answer simple questions about wildlife impact, water drainage impact, property value impact or even what type of fencing they will construct. He continually stated he is not a realtor.

- The FACT is that Ed Armstrong currently sits on the SWFWMD Governing Board and should be required to recuse himself permanently or at least until the law firm he belongs to, Hill Ward Henderson, does not also represent any attorneys who represent developers submitting permit requests to SWFWMD. Katie Cole is the attorney representing for Tarpon Woods Properties, LLC and is also a member of the Hill Ward Henderson law firm.

- The FACT is that Kyle Parks "spokesman" stated there are no CURRENT plans to build housing in the "Brooker Creek Mitigation" area and when asked, would not comment on the acreage outside of the "Brooker Creek Mitigation" area. They were very artful with their specifically vague responses to our questions.

- The FACT is that the golf course property does not need to be mitigated to promote a safe and well balanced home for wildlife. The wildlife, including the plants, fish and other marine life in the ponds, is thriving and should be left alone.-

- The FACT is that the current ponds provide substantial flooding relief for homeowners and the proposed "filling in" will seriously compromise drainage capabilities and property values. Filling the ponds to within 1 foot of the seasonal high (that's the top of the banks here) means they will be completely dry in a few months. Our ponds typically range 3 to 5 feet lower than the tops of the banks in the dry season. All of the ponds on the golf course property are connected by culverts and move water from the streets of Tarpon Woods southward via this designed system.

- The FACT is that the course was sold over 2 years ago and the deed was NEVER registered with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office as of the meeting.

- The FACT is that Jan Stephensons Crossroads Foundation, a 501(C)(3) charity, were still listed as the owners two years after the sale and receiving tax benefits. When questioned about that at the meeting, they responded "Oh yes, we are concerned about that and will be looking into it."

- FYI - Go to https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/search. You can search on Jan Stephenson, Mike Vandiver, the active corporations they own together and the corresponding returns that have actually have been filed.

There is similar information at IRS.gov where you can see their tax returns since it it public record due to being a 501(c)(3) not for profit charity

- The FACT is that Mike Vandiver has been an active driver in atleast one other failed development scheme including the proposed Charlie Daniels Western World Theme Park in Pasco County. Details are nicely documented at https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/03/20/michael-vandiver-s-grand-vision/

History will usually repeat itself.

- The FACT is that the Army Corps of Engineers most likely must be involved in this project and yet, somehow, the developers stated they have not and will not notify them.

- The FACT is that no FEDERAL agencies are notified or involved in this project, including the EPA.

- The FACT is that the owners have continued to hold "charity" events for years since the supposed golf course sale. However, a 501(C)(3) status does not transfer to NEW owners. which has significant tax implications. For example, the owners have held several charity "Stripper" tournaments where neighbors and participants have reported half naked women giving lap dances to men and performing sexual acts in public. There is another one of those tournaments coming up on 09/14/2024. Tee Time is 1PM

- Jan Stephenson and Mike Vandiver attempted to "gaslight" neighbors by complaining that the only reason they have to sell is because we don't support them. Neighbors retorted that if they provided a worthwhile product, they would be supported.

- The FACT is that the course and restaurant have been in serious decline and seriously mismanaged for years. Legends Bar & Grill has received more than 100 health code violations in the past four years. Example: Last night part of the ceiling fell down hitting and hurting audience members while rain poured down throughout multiple locations in the clubhouse ceiling. There are recent disturbing Health Code Violations, non working course management equipment, constant employee turnover and needless to say, a pathetic, unplayable, embarrassing golf course.

- The FACT was stated by the mitigation developer that they plan to move 240,000+ (estimated) cubic yards of potentially toxic, polluted soil off of the golf course property. Large dump trucks typically hold up to 16 - 18 cubic yards and so, doing the math, that will result in approximately 15,000 dump trucks on our neighborhood road. And that's just for the removal.

- The FACT is the mitigation developer stated they have no plan for mitigating road damage, homeowner reparations, home drainage problems, traffic and congestion problems, toxic fumes problems or displaced wildlife. The developer said, after the planned 1 year+ construction disturbance, they "Hope" the wildlife will come back.

- The FACT is that the owners/developers have not gotten any state or federal agencies involved to analyze possible effects on our local endangered species, such as the Florida Panther, Wood Stork, Florida Bonneted Bat or the Gray Bat, not to mention the marine and plant life species. The Florida statutes that the owners/developers must follow are here at https://www.animallaw.info/statute/fl-endangered-endangered-and-threatened-species-act

This site states: These Florida statutes define endangered and threatened species and provide the State's intent to protect these species. Under statute, the intentional killing or wounding of a listed species incurs a third degree felony. Interestingly, the state has a reward program for the arrest and conviction of those who violate state endangered species laws.

- The FACT, stated by the developer, is that there is NO plan to protect children, pets or families from the displaced wildlife, which could become aggressive due to displacement, such as alligators, male deer, water moccasins, panthers, coyotes, disease carrying mosquitoes and much more.

- When asked, Kyle Parks, "spokesman" stated that the DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS NOT YET PERMITTED, but probably will be within 12 days by SWFWMD.

12 days.

By cleverly forcing a very short timeframe, the owners have put us at a clear disadvantage. However, our letters, phone calls, and emails to SWFWMD have apparently been heard because the developers were sent letters from SWFWMD on the very same day as their meeting wanting a lot more clarification and definitive answers. They now know we are paying close attention.

Dear Neighbors,

These are just a few notes from last night's meeting. It is obvious to these attendees, under the guise of "Brooker Creek Mitigation", the old and new owners want only one thing. Lots and lots of money, no matter what the cost or consequences are to us and our community.

Now is the time to take action at your local, state and federal level to preserve a once beautiful golf course, an extraordinary and diverse wildlife habitat and our peaceful and safe community. It's important to engage the SWFWMD board members so that they clearly understand how they have been asked to approve the "Brooker Creek Mitigation Bank" without complete and thorough information.

What We Know

The owners of Tarpon Woods Golf Course, a 168.4 acre property, intend to close the existing golf course.
They plan on filling in ponds and excavating 242,000 cubic yards of dirt from the golf course. That's over 12,000 Dump Truck Loads driving through our neighborhood.
The pond behind your house going to be filled and replaced with a Littoral Shelf.
The plan to eventually build 320 residential units on areas that used to be the golf course. (Could be single family homes, multifamily, or apartments).
They plan to create a Wetland Mitigation Bank on the rest of the golf course property.
THEY ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FENCE THE PERIMETER OF THE WETLAND MITIGATION BANK and NO PUBLIC ACCESS IS ALLOWED - (Not going to be a park or a place to go for a walk, etc. Just an overgrown future mosquito infested swamp)
An application has already been submitted to Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) on 03/01/2024 - Read and Investigate it HERE
A site plan pre-application was presented on 07/01/2024 to the Development Review Committee (DRC) (WATCH THE MEETING IN THE VIDEO SECTION HERE - This is where you will learn their intentions to build residential properties on the land previously known to us as the golf course)
A Time Extension Request was submitted to SWFMD on 07/08/2024
An Extension was Granted with a deadline of 09/10/2024
Updated information was provided by the developer on 08/14/2024 - See that info HERE
Meetings and Sign Waiving/Protest events have been scheduled by SaveTarponWoods.com - See the Calendar HERE

How Can You Help?

We need volunteers to seek answers to our questions in an organized and civil manner
A Petition and Formal Letter has been created and is available HERE
Volunteers needed to go door to door to notify residents of Tarpon Woods, Ridgemoor, and East Lake Woodlands
ATTEND ALL UPCOMING MEETINGS LISTED IN THE CALENDAR SECTION AND BE HEARD WHILE BEING CIVILIZED AND ORDERLY!! THE NEXT MEETING IS THURSDAY 09/05/2024 at the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners!!
Complete the contact info form and check the box to be updated!! Make sure you respond to the confirmation email and add admin@savetarponwoods.com to your contact list to prevent the update emails from going to our SPAM/junk box.
Go to the GET INVOLVED page to find out more!
Read every page and every document and video available on this website.