SAFETY HARBOR — A proposal by Harborside Christian Church to partner with the city on a walking trail hit a dead end Oct. 6 when city commissioners failed to reach consensus.

City staff sought direction on a proposed partnership to develop a public walking trail and recreational amenities across city-owned land, known as Green Springs Preserve, and adjacent church property.

The church and city previously partnered on a 2014 development agreement for a shared access drive from Green Springs Drive. That project, which included a land swap, a culvert at Mullet Creek, retention pond work, fencing, and conservation easements, was completed in 2015.

Church representatives, including Creative Director Ethan Parker, presented an updated proposal for the new area, which they call Harborside Acres.

Besides the trail, the church proposed developing active uses on its property: gardens, public green space, a playground, a splash pad, and a chapel pavilion. Parker said the objective was to enhance an existing, unofficial trail system and invited commissioners to tour the property.

The city property consists of two parcels totaling about 17.52 acres, designated in the comprehensive plan as a passive park, Green Springs Preserve. The parcels are bisected by Mullet Creek, and development is constrained by existing conservation easements, wetland buffers that restrict development of sensitive areas, and the St. Petersburg Pipeline easement. The proposed trail was described as a low-impact project aimed at preserving the natural environment.

The proposal generated sharp debate among commissioners, centered on environmental protection and fiscal responsibility.

Commissioner Andy Steingold reiterated his opposition, raising concerns about wildlife habitat.

“There are bird watchers back there, there are coyotes back there, there’s bobcats back there, so there’s a lot of wildlife that exists there.” Steingold said. “I just hate to see us improve it in any way to create walking trails through an area that really, I mean, where are the animals going to go after a while?”

Vice Mayor Carlos Diaz agreed, questioning the project’s financial justification.

“There’s a lot of maintenance involved, and there’s also liability,” he said, adding that devoting city resources to the project was not warranted. “I just don’t think there’s, you know, an incremental value to that, to putting a boardwalk there.”

Commissioner Nancy Besore agreed, citing financial and preservation benefits of leaving the land untouched.

“If we just leave it passive, very passively passive, it costs zero and preserves the animals,” she said.

Mayor Joe Ayoub and Commissioner Jacob Burnett supported continued discussion. Burnett suggested the project might formalize existing pathways at low cost.

“What I’m hearing is to formalize trails that already exist,” he said, arguing that formal trails might contain foot traffic. “Maybe it would encourage them to stay there instead of venturing too far out into the woods.”

Burnett noted the church offered to fund the project and recommended a property tour before any decision.

A motion by Burnett, seconded by Ayoub, to table the item until Nov. 17 failed 3-2. Only Ayoub and Burnett voted in favor.