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Clearwater, FL - Clearwater officials and residents are raising questions after City Council member David Allbritton independently contacted Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier seeking clarification on the ownership of a downtown roadway the Church of Scientology hopes to develop.
The inquiry was made without prior discussion with the rest of the council and concerned a segment of South Garden Avenue near the church’s Flag Building.
Clearwater’s city attorney had previously stated the city owns the roadway and may attach conditions to any potential transfer.
During a council meeting, several residents said the central issue was transparency, noting they were concerned the request was made outside public view.
Mayor Bruce Rector said the Church of Scientology had encouraged for months that someone ask the attorney general for an opinion and had visited City Hall requesting a copy of Allbritton’s letter before it was submitted.
The council did not take formal action on the matter.
In an email to local media, Allbritton said church representatives met with him and expressed concern about how he might vote if they reapply to acquire the roadway.
While there is no active application, Allbritton said he has long questioned the city attorney’s interpretation of ownership and wanted a definitive legal opinion.
He denied allegations that he acted under outside influence.
Uthmeier’s opinion disputed Clearwater’s ownership claim and addressed whether the church should have to pay for the roadway.
Rector, Vice Mayor Lina Teixeira and two other council members said they have not recently met with Scientology officials.
The Church of Scientology did not respond to questions before publication.