A group of Clearwater residents has launched a petition drive seeking to overturn the City Council’s decision to transfer a portion of South Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology for a planned downtown redevelopment project.
The grassroots organization, Save the Garden, must collect approximately 7,000 valid signatures by mid-September to force a citywide referendum on the issue. If enough signatures are verified, Clearwater voters would decide whether to uphold or reverse the council’s approval.
The Clearwater City Council voted in June to approve the transfer of the block of South Garden Avenue between Court Street and Franklin Street. The Church of Scientology has proposed incorporating the property into its planned L. Ron Hubbard Hall development, which would include an auditorium, banquet hall and public plaza.
Supporters of the petition argue the street should remain public property and contend that the decision should be made by Clearwater residents through a public vote. Organizers say they are collecting signatures at public locations and through neighborhood canvassing in an effort to meet the required threshold before the deadline.
The latest petition effort follows an earlier campaign that failed after thousands of submitted signatures were rejected during the verification process. Organizers say they have adjusted their procedures to improve the validity of signatures collected during the new campaign.
Church representatives have defended the redevelopment proposal, saying the project is part of a broader investment in downtown Clearwater and will contribute to the area’s continued revitalization. The church has also maintained that its development plans will benefit the surrounding community.
If the petition drive does not obtain enough verified signatures by the deadline, the City Council’s approval of the street transfer will remain in effect, and the project may continue through the remaining development and permitting processes.
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