Clearwater City Council Will Vote on Golf Site

The city will choose between two development proposals for the 77-acre Landings Golf Course site this week.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Golf

Clearwater City Council Will Vote on Golf Site

Live Poll

Should your city prioritize commercial sports complexes over existing community golf courses?

Clearwater City Council will vote on a developer for the 77-acre Landings Golf Course site on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Two competing firms have submitted plans for the property, which currently faces environmental challenges.

Why it matters

The decision determines the future utility of the land, as a proposed sports complex could provide new facilities for local youth tournaments. The council must weigh these development options against previous environmental reports concerning the soil.

The property spans 77 acres and is currently the subject of a 20-year lease extension proposal or a 99-year lease for a $180 million complex. A 2019 study detected traces of arsenic, lead, and various pesticides in site debris.

The players

Clearwater Golf Associates

This organization manages the existing golf operations and has proposed a 20-year lease extension.

Porter Development

This firm submitted a plan for a $180 million sports and entertainment complex on the site.

Clearwater City Council

This is the local governing body responsible for selecting the developer through a public vote.

The details

Clearwater Golf Associates is seeking a 20-year lease extension focused on course improvements, while Porter Development aims to build an entertainment complex. Council members will hear five-minute presentations from each group before deciding which proposal to advance to formal lease negotiations.

A geotechnical study was conducted on the property in 2019.
City Council will host developer presentations on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
City Council is scheduled to vote on the developer selection on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Season Trajectory

The selection of a developer marks a critical pivot for the site's future utility and aligns with the 2019 geotechnical survey of the Landings Golf Course property. This decision moves the area beyond its current state of environmental uncertainty to a long-term development phase.

Residents should track whether the chosen proposal includes remediation for substances identified in the 2019 environmental study. The outcome will decide if the local community gains access to new youth sports tournament facilities or retains the existing golf course structure.

The takeaway

The upcoming vote requires a careful balance between modernizing local sports infrastructure and addressing environmental safety reports. Residents should monitor the council's decision process on Wednesday to understand how the 77-acre site will be utilized for the next several decades.

What happens next

The Clearwater City Council work session is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026, followed by a final developer selection vote on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.