CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater neighbors are speaking out against a proposal that would convert The Landings golf course into a multi-use recreation center.
Residents say they are not completely opposed to development but want any future plans to preserve the green space in the area.
WATCH BELOW: Golf course conversion sparks opposition in Clearwater
Natalie Waterman, a neighbor, said her biggest concern is what the project would do to the surrounding streets and residential character of the community.
"My No. 1 concern is traffic. That's No. 1. This neighborhood will not be residential anymore. It's going to be congested. You don't put something like this in a residential neighborhood," said Waterman.
Fellow neighbor Robin Benoit said the community is looking for something different from what is being proposed.
"People these days want the basics, and the big thing is green space, trees, you know, quality of water and things like that, and I think that's what they're missing here," said Benoit.
Waterman said she is prepared to leave if the project moves forward as planned.
"I want to stay in this neighborhood, but I will not live with the wall and Astroturf and all this traffic and people coming from other states in and out and restaurants and ruining my whole neighborhood," said Waterman.
Not everyone in the community is opposed to the project. One resident who spoke at an Aug. 6 Clearwater City Council meeting offered a different perspective.
"If we want young people to stay here, build careers here and raise families here, we have to give them reasons to, and I believe that this project is a step in that direction," the resident said during the meeting.
At that same meeting, developers said they were adjusting their plans in response to neighbor concerns.
The city is currently in a solicitation window for developers to submit proposals. As of Monday afternoon, the city said it had not received any additional proposals beyond the original rec center submission.
The developer, Les Porter, sent a statement about the future of The Landings, though the full statement was not available at the time of this report.
I accept the City’s decision and My Team is confident in the project we put forward. We also believe that it matters that the Development Team is made up of Clearwater companies. This project will be developed by Locals for Locals.
The City said the City Council may discuss the project again at a meeting in October 2026, but no meeting date has been scheduled.
The city is accepting sealed proposals for the property until 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. As of today, the city has not received any additional proposals. Any proposals received will be disclosed after the solicitation period closes. Next steps will depend on the response to the solicitation. Depending on the number of additional proposals received, the City Council may discuss the project again at a meeting in October 2026, but no meeting date has been scheduled.
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