Welcome to LARGO TODAY, News from the City Manager. Stay up-to-date on the superior services the City of Largo offers to our residents, businesses and visitors to build the "Community of Choice in Tampa Bay."
THIS WEEK IN LARGO December 4, 2020
NEWS AND UPDATES
TEAM LARGO AND THE GREAT AMERICAN TEACH-IN
City team members were excited to stay connected with local schools for this year's Great American Teach-In event on November 18. The virtual format may have been a little different this year, and we missed seeing Largo youth in-person but nonetheless, Team Largo staff from various departments rose to the challenge with recorded videos and virtual presentations. Team members shared their City roles whether as a graphic designer or a Largo Police Officer. Speaking of Largo Police, the Largo PD K-9 unit teamed up with the Communications and Engagement Division to create a Virtual K-9 Demonstration that was shared with over 9,000 students at 12 schools! Thank you to all Largo Team Members who presented at this year's Great American Teach-In!
CLEAR SKY TAMPA BAY
Clear Sky Tampa Bay is an innovative project led by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that is exploring the application of solar+storage in our region. The City of Largo is one of four participating municipalities and recently completed work with the University of South Florida's Patel College of Global Sustainability, where students created case studies using real Largo facilities. These case studies will help inform the next stages of the project which are expected to continue through April. Ultimately, Clear Sky Tampa Bay will help to create a solar+storage siting and financial evaluation tool that can be used for all municipal facilities.

To learn about other regional sustainability and resilience efforts the City of Largo is participating in visit TBRPC.org/Resiliency or contact Laura Thomas, Sustainability Program Administrator at lthomas@largo.com.

Laura Thomas
Sustainability Administrator / 727-586-7424 / lthomas@largo.com
20th STREET NW COMMUNITY STREETS PROJECT VIRTUAL UPDATE
Community members are invited to a virtual community update on Wednesday, December 9 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm for an update on design for the 20th Street NW Community Streets Improvements Project.

Learn more about:
  • Results of the community survey
  • How the survey informed project design
  • Recommended design
  • Schedule for design and construction

The virtual community update will be in an interactive webinar format with opportunity to provide feedback during the meeting. To register, visit Largo.com/20thStreetWebinar. If you need additional support to participate in the meeting, please contact Barry Westmark at bwestmar@largo.com or (727) 587-6713 ext. 4433.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FOR COVID-19 NOW OPEN
The City of Largo was allocated a total of $828,832 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding specifically to prevent, mitigate and respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDBG-CV). The subrecipient application cycle for non-profit agencies to apply for funding is open from December 2, 2020-January 15, 2021 at 5 PM. Largo has prioritized use of CDBG-CV to increase economic resiliency and housing stability of low/moderate income Largo households. For more information on the Notice of Funding Availability and application, please visit: Largo.com/housing. Due to the unique nature of this Notice of Funding Availability, attendance at the technical assistance meeting is highly encouraged.
The meeting will be held on Friday, December 11 from 2-3:30pm on Go To Meeting. To join by phone, dial +1 (224) 501-3412 Meeting Access Code: 512-304-029.

Karisa Rojas-Norton
Economic Development Manager / 727-586-7360 / krojasno@largo.com
7/ELEVEN SITE PLAN APPROVED
On November 25, the City issued a Development Order (DO) to authorize redeveloping a 7/Eleven convenience store. The DO allows for partially demolishing the existing building and constructing a new one-story convenience store building with 3,580 square feet, a gas pump canopy, and a drive-thru car wash on a 1.67 acre property located at 5860 Roosevelt Boulevard. The redevelopment project will also include landscape improvements, increased pedestrian access, and stormwater retention.

Alicia Parinello
Principal Planner / 727-587-6749 / aparinel@largo.com
NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETINGS HELD
ABC Fine Wine and Spirits Store
A Neighborhood Information Meeting was held on November 19 via virtual Zoom Webinar to discuss a proposal to demolish a portion of an existing shopping plaza and construct a new 10,000 square foot ABC Fine Wine and Spirits Store to be located on the southeast corner of North Missouri Avenue and Auburn Street NE. The property covers approximately 0.72 acres and is designated Commercial General (CG) on the City of Largo Future Land Use Map. All property owners and residents within 500 feet of the subject property were invited to attend the meeting. Ross Galbraith of KPM Franklin, agent of owner TOWNCENTER PLAZA LLC, as well as Phyllis Fitzpatrick and Steve Rivera, representatives of ABC Fine Wine and Spirits, were present to discuss the project. Planning Division staff were also present to answer questions from the public.

Prior to the meeting, staff received comments from one resident of the City of Largo. The questions and concerns raised by the resident included current renovation activities at the Town Center Plaza. The resident complained that the company completing these renovations were making excessive noise, working off hours and on the weekend, and leaving trash, junk and debris on the back side of the Town Center Plaza which is visible to the abutting residences. The resident also complained that the public alley behind the Town Center Plaza was in poor condition and that it received excessive traffic from large delivery and construction trucks which will make the poor condition worse. Mr. Galbraith indicated that his company is doing the site plan and he is not sure what contractor will be selected to actually complete construction. Ms. Fitzpatrick stated that the contractor selected will comply with City of Largo rules regarding construction beginning and ending times. Staff stated that there will be some improvements of the alley associated with the project and that staff will follow up with City Departments regarding the condition of the alley. Staff stated that the final site plan submittal will be available to be viewed by any interested parties.

Chateaux Des Largo

A Neighborhood Information Meeting was held virtually in November to discuss a proposal to construct nine townhome style condominiums on the 0.41 acre property located at 819 Clearwater/Largo Road. Doris Poulin, of Doris Homes, LC was present to discuss the project. Planning Division staff were also present to answer any questions from the public. All property owners and residents within 500 feet of the subject property were invited to attend the meeting, however no one from the public participated in the meeting. Mr. Poulin, however, described the development site plan and gave a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation was recorded and is available online at www.largo.com/NIM. The final site plan submittal will be available to be viewed by any interested parties. The proposed development site is designated Commercial General (CG) on the Future Land Use Map.

Rick Perez
Planning Manager / 727-587-6749 / rperez@largo.com
LARGO LISTED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE
The City of Largo has been listed as one of The Top 10 Best Places to Retire in America by Money.com. Low median home price, proximity to the beach, and our beautiful parks were some reasons Largo scored so well. Read more about why Largo is the Community of Choice at Largo.com.
SUPPORT LOCAL THIS SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY AT OUR STROLLING MARKET
Keep it local this holiday season and purchase your last minute gifts from one of our small businesses at our Holiday Strolling Market, November 28 and December 5 from 11am-4pm at Largo Central Park. Admittance to park, and parking, are free.

Saturday, Dec 5 | 11a-4p | All Ages | Free

SANTA PAWS IS COMING TO TOWN
Santa Paws is coming to town. Bring your pup to pose with Santa at the Largo Community Center. Onsite pet vendors, pet swag bag and a family photo with Santa will be sure to complete your holiday season.

Saturday, Dec 5 | 10a-12p | All Ages | $8 per pooch

Christina Lorenz, Recreation Program Manager
727-518-3133, clorenz@largo.com
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT @CPPAC

Thursday, Dec 10 @2pm & 7:30pm

Wednesday, Dec 16 @1pm & 6m

Dec 17 @2pm, 7:30pm | Dec 18 @2&8pm

MISSION: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride

VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

VALUES: INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | PASSION | CREATIVITY