A civic group called Save the Garden is canvassing Clearwater neighborhoods, collecting signatures to force a voter referendum on the City Council's June decision to vacate a stretch of South Garden Avenue adjacent to Church of Scientology property. The group has gathered a few hundred signatures so far toward the 7,067 verified signatures needed from registered city voters.

The council adopted Ordinance 9907-26 on second reading Friday, June 19, vacating the southern portion of Garden Avenue abutting Lots 6-11 in the Court Square Subdivision downtown. The request had been before the council for more than a year.

Brooks Gibbs, campaign director for Save the Garden, told Tampa Bay 28 on Friday, July 10, that the group is focused on reaching the threshold. "For the love of Clearwater, we want to see our downtown activated, which means the grid, the streets need to stay open," Gibbs said.

Council member Ryan Cotton, who holds Seat 2, was one of three yes votes. Cotton said the decision came down to public safety, citing the volume of pedestrians expected near church buildings. Council member Mike Mannino also voted yes. The full roll call was not available in published records at press time.

Opponents argue the closure harms downtown activation and civil liberties. Supporters, including Scientologists who spoke at the June 19 public hearing, cited safety concerns about vehicle traffic near their places of worship.

Vote reshapes August council election

The vote has already reshaped the Tuesday, Aug. 18, City Council election. Mannino rescinded his endorsement of Seat 4 candidate Bianca Latvala after a heated text exchange on Wednesday, June 18, with her husband, Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala, who had urged Mannino to delay the vote.

Mannino told the Tampa Bay Times his decision had nothing to do with Bianca Latvala's stance on South Garden Avenue. He said he does not believe a sitting county commissioner should pressure or bully a city council member hours before a vote.

Bianca Latvala, who opposes the street vacation, wrote on Facebook that she would not "be threatened or pressured into supporting something I do not believe is right."

The South Garden Avenue issue has also stirred the Seat 5 race, where candidates Sam Wilson, Kevin R.T. Laughlin and Mark Bunker are competing. Wilson has highlighted that Bunker, who served on City Council from 2020 to 2024, voted with a unanimous council in 2021 to approve a church request for a portion of public right-of-way on North Osceola Avenue.

What happens next

If Save the Garden collects enough verified signatures, the city clerk will review the petitions. If the petitions are deemed sufficient and the council does not repeal the ordinance, the matter goes to voters. No formal petition submission deadline has been confirmed in available city records.

The Clearwater City Council election is Tuesday, Aug. 18. Residents can track council agendas and meeting dates at clearwater.legistar.com.