Palm Harbor, Florida

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Palm Harbor, Florida
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settlement_type = CDP
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map_caption = Location in Pinellas County and the state of Florida


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = flag|Florida
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = noflag|Pinellas
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area_total_km2 = 68.9
area_land_km2 = 46.4
area_water_km2 = 22.5
area_total_sq_mi = 26.6
area_land_sq_mi = 17.9
area_water_sq_mi = 8.7
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 59248
population_density_km2 = 859.9
population_density_sq_mi = 2227.4
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timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 28 |latm = 5 |lats = 2 |latNS = N
longd = 82 |longm = 45 |longs = 14 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 15
elevation_ft = 49
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 34682-34685
area_code = 727
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 12-54350GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0288399GR|3
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Palm Harbor is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 59,248.

Culture

Palm Harbor is roughly 45 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa. It is a largely residential community with several concentrations of commerce. Notably, downtown Palm Harbor, north of Tampa Rd. between Alternate Hwy. 19 and Omaha St., cultivates a charming atmosphere with dozens of small shops and eateries along with a handful of historic buildings. U.S. Hwy. 19, a mile or two east of downtown, offers access to higher concentrations of commerce, with the usual array of national chain restaurants and retailers. One entrance to The Innisbrook Golf Resort, a nationally regarded golf course, is found on U.S. 19.

The historic downtown district of Palm Harbor, at Florida Avenue and Alt. US 19 and CR 1, has numerous festivals and craft fairs. Old Palm Harbor Main Streets, Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, hosts their signature event the first Friday of every month. "Palm Harbor's First Friday Celebrations" -- are a very popular community event for youngsters and adults alike. There are rides and games for the children, with opportunities to dine on great food from the many local restaurants, enjoy local artists & crafters displaying and selling their wares. Every first Sunday in October, the "Taste of Palm Harbor" festival is held. The event is presented by the Palm Harbor Junior Women's Club with the proceeds benefiting their, "Making a Difference" grants & scholarships program. The Taste of Palm Harbor traditionally offers live music and the tasting of samples from over 20 local restaurants, many of which make seafood their specialty.

Government

As of March 2008, the area collectively known as Palm Harbor remains as a part of unincorporated Pinellas County. A movement towards incorporation which started in late 2002 has continued as mounting opposition towards the county diverting State Shared Revenues(SSR) and other tax dollars away from the unincorporated communities. Many residents feel that if they incorporated, they would have greater control over service delivery, changes in the land use and management could be made that would protect and preserve the unique communities of the proposed incorporation area. The feeling of taxation without representation would be eliminated and greater fiscal control of the tax burden would be accomplished.

The [http://www.palmharborcoalition.org/ Greater Palm Harbor Community Coalition] initiated a study on whether it was feasible for the community to become a town in which it found it was. On January 3, 2008, the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation voted on the local bill providing for a community wide referendum. The local bill (Town Charter) passed and it will be filed with the Florida Legislature.

[http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=39246&BillText=palm+harbor&HouseChamber=H&SessionId=57& HB 1359 - Pinellas County] has been referred to the Government Efficiency & Accountability Council and is now in the Committee on Urban & Local Affairs who will perform a staff analysis of the [http://www.palmharborcoalition.org/uploads/PHFS_A54-5_1_.pdf Palm Harbor Incorporation Feasibility Study] and the Town Charter.

If the Florida Legislature approves the local bill, the question will be placed on the ballots of the voters within Ozona, Palm Harbor, Crystal Beach and East Lake. If a majority of the voters support the creation of the town on November 4, 2008; it would be officially incorporated on April 1st, 2009 as a sovereign government. If approved it will become the first new city within the county in 40 years.

Municipal Incorporation

Any combination of communities joining the incorporation would produce a viable municipality. If all of the communities voted to incorporate, the combined population would be over 96,000. Currently the people live in unincorporated Pinellas and the place they live doesn’t really exist. Their communities have no legal rights or protections. It is referred to as the Palm Harbor & East Lake Fire Districts. Because they don’t have locally elected officials their default government is the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.

A city or town is the form of government closest to the people and is the only form of government in Florida actually created by the people. If the voters decide to incorporate, they would create a local government that is elected by and closer to the people.

Palm Harbor would keep both the East Lake and Palm Harbor Fire Districts. These districts with elected commissions provide a dedicated funding source and the millage rate can’t be increased above a set millage level without voter approval. The Palm Harbor Fire District traces it beginning back to July of 1956, when the "Ozona, Palm Harbor, Crystal Beach Volunteer Fire Department" (OPC) was organized to provide fire protection to the residents of those communities.

Another dedicated funding source is the Palm Harbor Community Services District which provides library, recreation and park operations in the PH Fire District. Like the fire districts the millage cap can not be increased without a vote by the local community. Palm Harbor has basically outsourced its library and recreation operations to a local volunteer organization (Palm Harbor Community Services Agency) since 1985. The savings that the town would accrue by having a volunteer-based organization oversee its library, recreation and park operations will allow the town to supply additional and needed funding for these programs.

The Town of Palm Harbor’s property tax rate would replace and be the same as the county’s Unincorporated-Municipal Services Taking Unit(U-MSTU) which is currently 2.0857 mills. Without imposing any new taxes, the Town of Palm Harbor would receive substantially more revenues, because the default local government has been diverting revenues (Local Gov. 1/2 Cent Sales Tax , Penny for Pinellas, Local Option Gas Tax, etc.) it receives on their behalf away from the Unincorporated Area Budget and the local communities.

The Palm Harbor Coalition has a Transition Committee that is working on the actual makeup and staffing of Town Departments. They are exploring the possibility of contracting out some services to the county, neighboring municipalities, a corporation/business or performing them in-house. The town at a minimum would probably have a Town Manager, Town Clerk, Finance Manager and the Town Council.

The biggest expense will be Law Enforcement Services (attached letter of intent) which would be contracted out to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Another large expenditure would be the Building Inspection and Permitting Department (attached letter). We have approached the county to see if they would be interested in contracting for these services in a similar fashion as they are currently doing for some of the beach communities/municipalities. This department would be operated as a service for fee program and should not impact the budget whether it was contracted out or performed by a town department.

The Transition Services & Issues Committee has approached the county regarding building and property acquisition. We would like to acquire those facilities and properties that were paid for with our tax dollars. The county as our default government holds title to numerous facilities and property in the proposed incorporation area. Although the county retains ownership they do not contribute any operating or maintenance funding. These facilities include the Palm Harbor Community Center, Palm Harbor White Chapel (historic building) and Harbor Hall. The Palm Harbor Community Center or Harbor Hall could be used for town council meetings regardless of eventual ownership.

If the town is unable to utilize an existing community facility to house the town government it would probably purchase an existing house or building in the Downtown Historic District. If voters of the East Lake fire district elect to join the incorporation a more centrally located facility along Tampa Road could be rented or purchased.

Pinellas is the most densely populated county in Florida. Palm Harbor, originally called Sutherland was the first or one of the first platted communities in Florida in 1888. Ozona, Crystal Beach and Palm Harbor have a long history of working together for the betterment of our communities. During this time of tighter resources incorporation would allow us to take greater fiscal control of our tax burden. The additional revenues would have a beneficial impact on basic public safety and quality of life.

Geography

Palm Harbor is located at coor dms|28|5|2|N|82|45|14|W|city (28.083926, -82.753947)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 68.9 km² (26.6 mi²). 46.4 km² (17.9 mi²) of it is land and 22.5 km² (8.7 mi²) of it (32.61%) is water.

History

Early History

Palm Harbor was originally called Sutherland, a shortening of Southern Land and Development Company, the group that originally platted the community as Sutherland, Hillsborough County in 1888. The name was changed to Palm Harbor in 1925. Palm Harbor, on the coast just north of Dunedin, have interesting histories. Palm Harbor was originally settled by J.C. Craver. According to Craver's diary, still in the family, he came here in the winter of 1877 upon the advice of his physician. A post office commission under the name of Bay St. Joseph was granted in 1878, this being the earliest written record of the community. The name Bay St. Joseph was used only a short time before Yellow Bluff replaced it. But that name proved relatively short-lived, as a few years later its negative connotation with the yellow fever epidemic gave way to its present name. Palm Harbor was originally called Sutherland after a post office was granted in 1888, the same year the railroad came through (the name was switched to Palm Harbor in 1925. Sutherland boasted two beautiful hotels, the larger one becoming Southern College in 1902. It sat high on the bluff overlooking Sutherland Bayou and the Gulf of Mexico. Sutherland was thought to be named after Duke of Sutherland, who visited these parts after landing at Tarpon Springs in 1887. Local pioneers dismiss this coincidence, pointing out that the name Sutherland is a shortening of Southern Land and Development Company, the group which originally platted the community in 1888. Areas pioneers included the Whitehursts, the Hollands, the Tinneys, the Suttons, the Thompsons, the Riviere's, the Alderman's and the Wilsons. Palm Harbor also has a unique "hilly" geography which is uncommon in the relatively flat Florida.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 59,248 people, 25,461 households, and 16,906 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,276.6/km² (3,306.8/mi²). There were 28,044 housing units at an average density of 604.2/km² (1,565.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.83% Caucasian, 0.97% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

There were 25,461 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,404, and the median income for a family was $52,925. Males had a median income of $41,003 versus $29,287 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,470. About 4.3% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

ee also

*Pinellas County, Florida
*Palm Harbor Fire Rescue

References

External links

pecial Taxing Districts

* [http://palmharborfd.com Palm Harbor Fire Rescue]
* [http://www.PalmHarborLibrary.org Palm Harbor Library]
* [http://www.phrec.org Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation]
* [http://www.eastlakefla.com East Lake]

Local Community Links

* [http://www.oldpalmharbormainstreet.net Old Palm Harbor Main Street, Inc]
* [http://www.PHJWC.org GFWC Palm Harbor Junior Women's Club]
* [http://www.TasteofPalmHarbor.org Taste of Palm Harbor]
* [http://northpinellashistoricalmuseum.org North Pinellas Historical Museum]

Map Links