Board of County Commissioners - 2026-01-20
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved a comprehensive tree ordinance update (items 4-6) with an amendment exempting homesteaded properties from permit requirements for trees under 24 inches DBH. The board denied without prejudice a future land use map amendment from residential urban to residential medium for 18.43 acres at 13400 Pine Street in Largo (item 11), citing compatibility concerns with surrounding single-family neighborhoods. The board also approved $6.7 million in Penny for Pinellas funds for a 204-unit multifamily affordable housing project in St. Petersburg (item 44).
Key Decisions (12)
Tree Ordinance Update with Homestead Amendment
Approved comprehensive updates to tree permitting (LDR2502, Chapter 58 Article 19, and fee schedule) with amendment exempting homesteaded single-family properties from permit requirements for protected trees under 24 inches DBH. Reduces replanting requirements and simplifies mitigation fees to $300/tree residential, $500/tree commercial.
Future Land Use Amendment at 13400 Pine Street, Largo
Denied without prejudice request by Green Energy for North America LLC/Bellaire Development Group to change future land use from residential urban (7.5 units/acre) to residential medium (15 units/acre) on 18.43 acres. Property is former construction debris landfill. Staff and LPA recommended denial citing incompatibility with surrounding 4-5 units/acre single-family neighborhoods.
Affordable Housing Funding - St. Petersburg Multifamily
Approved $6.7 million Penny for Pinellas funds for 204-unit multifamily apartment development in St. Petersburg. 122 units at 80% AMI or below, 82 units at market rate. This commitment brings total affordable housing program allocation to $85 million of $99 million committed.
Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge Renaming
Approved resolution renaming Bayside Bridge as the Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge honoring former Public Defender Robert Bob Dillinger and former State Attorney Bernard Bernie McCabe for their combined decades of public service to Pinellas County.
Historic Landmark Designation - 1334 Riverside Avenue, Anclote
Approved designation of historic resources at 1334 Riverside Avenue in Anclote as a landmark site (DES2501). Historic Preservation Board approved unanimously 7-0.
Future Land Use and Zoning Change - 5200 62nd Avenue North, Lealman
Approved GalenCare Incorporated request for future land use amendment from residential low to employment and zoning change from residential agriculture to employment one on 3.49 acres near hospital property.
Solid Waste Tipping Fee Increase
Approved resolution to adopt increased solid waste tipping fee for fiscal year 2026.
Tourist Development Plan Amendment
Approved ordinance amending section 118-32 of Pinellas County code relating to the tourist development plan.
TDC Capital Projects Funding Guidelines Revision
Approved revisions to capital projects funding program guidelines for tourist development council. Maintains geographic distribution as evaluation criteria, establishes 25,000 minimum annual attendance and 10,000 room night requirements, adds beach park facilities as eligible category.
MSTU Project Funding Guidelines
Approved resolution adopting MSTU project funding guidelines as previously presented.
Whispering Souls Cemetery MSTU Funding
Approved $6,225 MSTU funding for Whispering Souls African American Cemetery for irrigation infrastructure and storage shed acquisition.
Boyd Centers Permanent Supportive Housing Amendment
Approved second amendment to Boyd Centers agreement for permanent supportive housing, one-time funding not to exceed $907,000.
Zoning Changes (2)
5200 62nd Avenue North, Lealman
GalenCare Incorporated
13400 Pine Street, Unincorporated Largo
Green Energy for North America LLC / Bellaire Development Group
Development Activity (6)
St. Petersburg Multifamily Affordable Housing
204 multifamily apartments - 122 units at 80% AMI or below, 82 units at market rate. $6.7 million Penny for Pinellas funding approved.
13400 Pine Street Development
Proposed multifamily workforce/affordable housing on 18.43 acres former construction debris landfill. Applicant sought land use change to allow up to 276 units (or 414 with affordable housing density bonus). Site requires brownfield remediation and geotechnical studies.
GalenCare Employment Development
3.49 acres rezoned from residential agriculture to employment one, adjacent to hospital property. No specific development plan submitted.
Heritage Oaks Affordable Housing
Affordable housing complex under redevelopment, referenced as comparable development near denied project site.
Rainbow Village Redevelopment
Approximately 400 units across four phases, referenced by residents as contributing to neighborhood density concerns.
Skyway Lofts Two
66 affordable units with rents starting at $306/month for 16,000 income level. County contributed $3.4 million through Penny for Pinellas. All units occupied with waiting list.
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
County has committed $85 million of $99 million allocated for affordable housing program six years into the decade, indicating strong demand and county prioritization of affordable housing development.
Housing Demand
Skyway Lofts Two affordable housing project is fully occupied with waiting list, demonstrating unmet demand for affordable units in St. Petersburg area.
Sentiment
Board expressed strong preference for maintaining input on development through RPD master plan process rather than losing control to Live Local Act by-right development, suggesting resistance to state preemption of local land use authority.
Infrastructure
Corps of Engineers showing willingness to modify easement language requirements for beach renourishment projects, potentially unlocking stalled coastal infrastructure projects.
Commercial Demand
Palm Pavilion, oldest operating beach pavilion in Florida (built 1926), sold after 60+ years of Hamilton family ownership, indicating potential commercial property turnover on Clearwater Beach.
Housing Demand
Residents and staff expressed concerns about cumulative density impacts from multiple affordable housing projects in Ridgecrest/Largo area, suggesting neighborhood capacity constraints.