On Thursday night, the Clearwater City Council voted 3‑2 to deny a citizen petition that sought to overturn the council’s earlier decision to vacate a segment of South Garden Avenue for the Church of Scientology’s flagship L. Ron Hubbard Hall. The petition, organized by the grassroots group Save the Garden, collected 7,577 valid signatures from residents who argued the land belongs to the people of Clearwater and should not be given to a private religious organization.
Petition and Council Decision
Save the Garden presented the petition during the council meeting and asked members to consider the public’s interest and trust in the process. Volunteer Lauren Golden, a resident and group member, said, “I ask you to consider not just the proposal before you, but the public’s interest in this proposal and their trust in the process itself.”
City Attorney Owen Kohler explained that approving a repeal of the vacation ordinance would conflict with Florida law, which bars citizen petitions from overturning certain land‑development resolutions. He said, “If the garden vacation ordinance … believes the issue is that if it is repealed then that would conflict with state law because it relates to an initiative or referendum petition regarding a development order or land use regulation.”
Council Members Defend the Vote
Council members defended the decision, emphasizing that the city was not selling land to the Church of Scientology. “We did not sell it to the Church of Scientology. They already owned it. All we were doing was giving them a vacation, a right‑of‑way,” said Councilmember David Allbritton, who cast the decisive vote.
Mayor Bruce Rector called a brief recess after Allbritton’s remarks sparked strong reactions from attendees. Allbritton suggested that opposition to the handover stemmed from “hate for Scientology,” a comment that drew criticism from some council members and the public.
Church of Scientology Response
The Church of Scientology issued a statement welcoming the council’s decision, citing the Florida Attorney General’s opinion that the petition was unlawful. The statement read, “The Attorney General has confirmed what the Church has maintained all along: this petition is unlawful. Florida law prohibits the proposed referendum, and the City cannot proceed with it. The Council has acted in accordance with that legal guidance, upholding its lawful approval of the Garden Avenue vacation. The law has prevailed. L. Ron Hubbard Hall is moving forward.”
Next Steps for Save the Garden
Save the Garden’s campaign director, Brooks Gibbs, told WFTS‑TV that the group plans to challenge the council’s vote in court, arguing that the signatures represent a legitimate expression of community concern. “We have no choice but to defend the 7,500 signatures, and we have to do that in the court of law,” Gibbs said.
The dispute highlights a broader tension in Clearwater between private development projects and community input on the use of public street space. While the council maintains that the decision complies with state law, residents and advocacy groups continue to monitor the situation as legal proceedings move forward.
Background
The L. Ron Hubbard Hall is planned as an all‑glass auditorium and plaza that would become a prominent feature of downtown Clearwater. Supporters argue the project will bring cultural and economic benefits, while opponents fear it sets a precedent for handing over public right‑of‑way to private religious entities.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
