Business Owner Filed Lawsuit Against Clearwater

The legal challenge targets a city-approved right-of-way vacation on South Garden Avenue.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color illustration showing a geometric city street intersection, evoking the tension of a municipal zoning legal dispute. — Business owner Tony Tello has filed a lawsuit against the city of Clearwater challenging the municipal approval of a right-of-way vacation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Tony Tello has filed a lawsuit against the city of Clearwater through his business, Nash Keys. The litigation disputes the city's approval of a right-of-way vacation for a 300-foot section of South Garden Avenue.

Why it matters

The lawsuit alleges that the city's decision to vacate the right-of-way will negatively impact the business by reducing its walk-in customer traffic.

The lawsuit challenges the vacation of a 300-foot portion of South Garden Avenue. Records show the petitioner's business, Nash Keys, has faced significant tax warrants totaling over $35,000 in 2026 alone.

The players

Tony Tello

He is the business owner of Nash Keys and a member of the Save the Garden petitioner's committee.

Lina Teixeira

She is a Clearwater City Council member who voted against the South Garden Avenue right-of-way vacation.

Bruce Rector

He is a Clearwater City Council member who opposed the city's decision to vacate the right-of-way.

Nash Keys

This is a business located at 520 Cleveland Street that is currently involved in a legal dispute with the city.

The details

Tony Tello, a member of the Save the Garden petitioner's committee, is utilizing the law firm Becker & Poliakoff to pursue the claim against Clearwater. The legal action follows a city council decision that was opposed by council members Lina Teixeira and Bruce Rector.

Late 2025: Nash Keys faced tax bills exceeding $123,000.
February 2026: Nash Keys received a tax warrant for over $16,000.
June 2026: A draft lawsuit for Tello listed Steven Mezer as attorney.
July 2026: Nash Keys received a tax warrant for over $19,000.
October 2026: Tony Tello filed the lawsuit against the city.

Political Context

The lawsuit challenges the municipal authority's power to repurpose public rights-of-way, a process that frequently draws scrutiny from neighboring business owners. Opposition to these projects often centers on concerns regarding neighborhood access and the potential loss of commercial visibility.

The lawsuit may lead to future changes in how the city manages access to South Garden Avenue. Residents and business owners in the area may see ongoing legal proceedings affect development timelines and local traffic patterns.

The takeaway

Property owners concerned about municipal land-use changes often turn to the courts to protect their commercial interests. Affected parties should review public records regarding right-of-way status to understand how city infrastructure projects might impact their operations.