SEMINOLE, Fla. — Bill Foley lives off the 12th fairway of the Bardmoor Golf Course. He loves his view and his privacy.
“The reason we bought the property is because we have no neighbors. We have a beautiful view in the backyard,” said Foley.
But now he and others in this Seminole neighborhood are worried after the golf course owner agreed to sell it to a developer, Wheelock Communities.
That could mean putting in houses, retail and even a hotel.
“This community was planned already once. To do another planned community with it, it doesn’t seem like it makes a whole lot of sense to me other than the greed factor,” said Foley.
Stacey Pitts and her family are about to close on their dream home that also sits on the golf course.
“To find out that the green space behind my home may be concrete is crushing,” she said.
People around the nearby Tides Golf Club tried but couldn’t save that course from closing. They also worry of what’s to come.
Wheelock Communities says because Pinellas County is largely built out, developers have to find space for new housing where they can.
They say they want to get feedback from people in the community to see what can benefit everyone like trails, a clubhouse and pool.
But current residents say new construction here could lead to all kinds of issues from flooding to overcrowding.
“This problem could be so devastating it’s not even funny,” said Pitts.
The developer is holding a public meeting Thursday. But residents are planning to boycott it and hold their own protest.
The developer has a website set up with more information here.
Those opposing the development have a petition and more information here.
