Pinellas Property Online

Despite opposition from a number of Largo residents, city leaders last week granted initial approval of a plan that would allow bigger, taller buildings in parts of downtown.

Vice Mayor Gigi Arntzen and four other commissioners who supported the West Bay Drive Community Redevelopment District Plan said a new plan was needed to entice developers and to manage future growth.

"To not have a plan is the worst that we could do for the future of this city," Arntzen said.

Commissioner Robert Murray voted against the plan, saying it included many good ideas, but he had concerns about the potential for over-development in parts of the district. Commissioner Mary Gray Black was absent.

Six residents spoke against the plan at Tuesday's city meeting, saying big buildings, more people and increased traffic would ruin their small city way of life.

Two speakers, who live just outside the redevelopment district, led a petition drive that garnered more than 175 signatures from Largo residents who opposed increased density and new land use classifications in the West Bay Drive area.

"We don't want this done to our city," said Carol Stupp, who helped spearhead the petition drive with resident Robert Bullard.

One resident, former Commissioner Marty Shelby, and one business owner, Belleair Bluffs Mayor Chris Arbutine, spoke in favor of the plan.

Several commissioners said some residents seemed misinformed.

"A lot of the people that spoke at the meeting said things that are not the case," Commissioner Woody Brown said Thursday.

Brown, who lives and works in the district, said the new plan, which updates a 1997 plan, might increase densities in parts of the district. But it has more protections for residents who live in single-family homes than the current plan.

Now, one- and two-story shops and homes dominate the district. The new plan would allow buildings with up to 30 units per acre and up to six stories in mixed-use areas. It would let developers with projects that meet several criteria seek bonuses to build 50 units per acre or eight stories in those areas.

The plan still requires review. It will likely return to the City Commission for a final vote around March, said assistant community development director Robert Klute.

A Largo middle school student Gabby D'Annunzio, 12, who was a contestant during Jeopardy's Kids Week can finally announce that she won!

The show was taped in March but she was not permitted to announce her win until now.  Producers asked the family not to talk about the show until after it aired Wednesday night.

"People were always telling me their theories," said D'Annunzio, who is enrolled in a gifted program for math and science at Fitzgerald Middle School. "I think you won, I think you came in second. And I'm like 'well, I would like to tell you that you're right or wrong but I can't!'"

The D'Annunzios threw a viewing block party that filled three homes on their block. The family estimates 200 friends showed up. They even hired some security to help with the crowd.

Gabby got the winning question about geography - one of D'Annunzio's favorite subjects.  After another contestant answered the question wrong, D'Annunzio got it right and won $15,201.

Gabby's former 5th-grade teacher says she's not surprised she won. "Her mind is quick and she's calm and she enjoys it," said Jeanne Wellings. "It's not pressure for her." So, what did D'Annunzio think about being on national TV? "I hope my hair looked good," she said. More than a 140,000 children nationwide applied for Jeopardy's Kids Week. Only about a dozen made it on the show. D'Annunzio says they're going to use some of her winnings to go on a family vacation in Europe. The rest will go into a college fund.

Slots remain in city kids camps July 20, 27

The Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts Department has room in the following camps the weeks of July 20 and July 27: Hula hoop, bowling, flag football, soccer, fishing, baseball, theater, tennis, CSI Camp and fine arts. Locations vary. The camps are half-day. Costs range from $76 to $100. For information, call (727) 518-3016.

Kids are not required to have a Largo Home address.