[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6379168,"mediaKeyId","2136634-14e8ac25dbc656799736b798d98fc97c","parentId",2136634,"title","Board approves 35‑unit development for Homeless Empowerment Program after neighbors raise safety and school proximity concerns","audioSeconds",4223,"startMs",2417000,"endMs",6640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136634-14e8ac25dbc656799736b798d98fc97c&start=2417&end=6640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136634-14e8ac25dbc656799736b798d98fc97c/thumbnail_2417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379168/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Board-approves-35unit-development-for-Homeless-Empowerment-Program-after-neighbors-raise-safety-and-school-proximity-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379168-c703a58f35119fe9048a090f066449cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775866302&Signature=Eow2kESXZgJEjQB7Dezxy0DCgS3VPWhhX8iqYFkCyLYl7L2uR5PPoh8G~rDgRKhTmDEigqpaFOZ0FDLsYNKJYKl9X8ZIusyiBpzPOuhAiK1t~qQTmvYdhI7WZBQwt3W1YAhpwT0iMkvILeNC7NuX6EZLd~0TYN8x2EHQRu9nR4i2WLaeon4ydgQ~uyvbWVaFVzfyaPZhlkC~UVjLERHDsrw79Xm6SnUhYZcz98iI7ZYsc7TWEAxNnKtlirTwpqMturC-KOVC18hUuoksDl7AuQ0Pd7wwv22BM0JbqQlrZmQ-WRH58T8iX3G2L~wLnbhTrX~L~qR6VPvSM0XqWHcMHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clearwater, FL","date","2025-01-21T21:25:47Z","article","The Community Development Board approved a comprehensive infill redevelopment plan on Jan. 21 to allow 35 attached dwelling units on a split commercial/residential parcel at 1718 North Betty Lane, to be operated by the Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) as permanent supportive housing for low‑income families.

Planning staff presented the dual‑zoned site and the project plan, describing a three‑building layout set back from adjacent single‑family properties with landscaping and a proposed six‑foot opaque fence along the north, west and south property lines and a four‑foot decorative aluminum fence along Betty Lane. Ryan Green, planning presenter, said the proposal shifts building mass toward the street to preserve a 60‑foot buffer to the west.

Ryan Green, planning and development, summarized the application: “This proposed use is for 35 attached dwelling units... the parcel itself is dual zone, both low medium density residential and commercial.” He explained the request for a reduced front setback along Betty Lane to preserve buffers against adjacent single‑family homes.

The applicant team described the project as permanent supportive housing tied to HEP’s adjacent campus of social services. Ashley Lowery, HEP president and CEO, told the board HEP provides case management, workforce development and mental‑health supports on its main campus and intends the Betty Lane site for families working toward self‑sufficiency. “This is permanent supportive housing for families with children. They will be paying rent. They're just low income families,” Lowery said.

Nearby property owners were granted party status and used that status to cross‑examine witnesses and present evidence. Dr. Sherry Predmore, who lives immediately adjacent to the site, and Kevin and Shay Roberts, neighbors within 300 feet, were granted party status. Predmore expressed safety and school‑proximity concerns, noting the site is close to Sandy Lane Elementary and Calvin Hunsinger (a specialized placement school). “I can't imagine having a homeless facility there right across from an elementary school,” she said in closing remarks.

Neighbors cited a record of calls for service at HEP’s existing campus and asked the board to weigh school safety, traffic impacts on the two‑lane Betty Lane, wildlife habitat and property values. Public commenters said they support HEP’s mission but opposed placement in this neighborhood; HEP and supporters urged separation between emergency shelter operations and the proposed long‑term housing.

The board discussed buffers, fencing, parking and the difference between emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing. Staff clarified that the proposal is not for an emergency shelter, and HEP representatives said the program screens and case‑manages occupants and seeks long‑term housing outcomes.

After questions and deliberation, a board member moved to approve the comprehensive infill redevelopment project based on the staff report, testimony and the record, adopting the staff findings and the listed conditions. The motion passed on a voice vote with all members in favor.

Actions from the hearing record

- Party status granted to: Dr. Sherry Predmore (adjacent property owner) and Kevin and Shay Roberts (within 300 feet).
- Case FLD‑2024‑11023 (1718 North Betty Lane): Motion to approve comprehensive infill redevelopment for 35 attached dwelling units — approved (voice vote, all in favor).

Next steps: The applicant will proceed with required permitting, final engineering reviews and compliance with conditions recorded in the staff report; HEP and staff noted they will continue coordination on site security, case management and neighborhood mitigation measures.

Sources: Planning presentations, testimony from HEP, party‑status testimony by neighbors, board deliberation and vote recorded Jan. 21, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Clearwater - Community Development Board - 1/21/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Community Development Board approved a comprehensive infill redevelopment plan on Jan. 21 to allow 35 attached dwelling units at 1718 North Betty Lane, to be used by Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) as long‑term supportive housing for families.","taxTitle","Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",4656,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6379173,"Board approves 6‑unit resort‑attached dwellings at 693–699 Bay Esplanade with pool setback relief",1451,629000,2080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136634-14e8ac25dbc656799736b798d98fc97c&start=629&end=2080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136634-14e8ac25dbc656799736b798d98fc97c/thumbnail_629000.jpg","/articles/6379173/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Board-approves-6unit-resortattached-dwellings-at-693699-Bay-Esplanade-with-pool-setback-relief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379173-975edd6c07b81a864848cb15eb0616cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775866302&Signature=A9TpX5lk-HEmyNBBRppv9Y~6gkExYBN0mZEAZ5rkjkoPFkp3RPIq0wKC3VLHt-8BicyLS~zTogmi6FLkKiDi7JKmBf91qaKuNhZFc9UXIcHBsoVeCIxplGZ9~y5gsz7hEowz0uYNaqN8XdQtjaDZMA042EbhdHlIfkZ-OzbeXNcPAab3rqFoxXASwEH2ELoH2ZptTgMMxMyquE5jozukRa8XA96tDfnsSvNveKF1gEgCcLFl8Cma92Rt~UoxNGsAB1~A4OuXfvbuU0gNFBNnFC6J5VwGrErlb6~ysxbWPxsBwe5QSFnyCJWZ5byWXoxV335lDagPUSp7poU9LeiHRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Development Board approved flexible‑development plans on Jan. 21 for a six‑unit resort‑attached dwelling at 693 and 699 Bay Esplanade that will retain an existing pool and deck that encroach into required setbacks.

City planning staff told the board the applicant corrected a prior noticing error that had required returning the case to the board. Planning staff said the building will be at or below the 35‑foot height limit, will provide 12 parking spaces where 9 are required and will meet the Old Florida character district and Beach by Design design guidelines, except for the requested flexibility to retain the existing pool and deck.

Melissa Hough Baker, planning staff, described the application and the reason for the rehearing: “The project is returning to the board due to, there was a an error found in the noticing from last month at the December meeting, and that is why it's coming back to you today.” She said the proposal would construct a single attached building with six rentable units, not the nine units permitted under maximum density, and that the applicant agreed to reduce balcony overhangs after prior board comment.

The applicant's engineer told the board the only outstanding request was to retain the existing pool. “The only item is for the pool to remain as it exists,” said Bush Kobay, Northside Engineering. He also noted engineering requirements the project will meet, including top‑of‑seawall elevation requirements.

One neighbor, Christine Michaelek of South Beach, spoke in opposition, arguing the board should reconsider beach development rules given storm impacts and infrastructure strain. “We need to stop developing properties on the beach,” Michaelek said, citing recent hurricanes and concerns about safety and infrastructure.

Board members acknowledged public comments but said the board must apply the code as it stands. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the application based on the evidence in the record, the staff report and testimony at the hearing, adopting the staff findings with the listed conditions. The motion passed on a voice vote with all members in favor.

The approval includes the requested flexibility for setbacks to retain the pool and the conditions recorded in the staff report, including the reduced balcony overhang and additional landscaping staff recommended.

Votes at a glance

- Case FLD‑2024‑09021 (693 and 699 Bay Esplanade): Motion to approve as recommended in staff report with conditions — approved (voice vote, all in favor).

Next steps for the project include final permitting and compliance with the conditions of approval recorded in the staff report; the record shows the project will go forward subject to those conditions.

Sources: Planning and development presentation, applicant testimony, public comment and board vote recorded Jan. 21, 2025.","The Community Development Board approved flexible‑development plans on Jan. 21 for a six‑unit resort‑attached dwelling at 693 and 699 Bay Esplanade that will retain an existing pool and deck that encroach into required setbacks.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6379162,"Board recommends code change to allow artificial turf with design, installation and landscape safeguards",4311,6712000,11023000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136634-14e8ac25dbc656799736b798d98fc97c&start=6712&end=11023","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136634-14e8ac25dbc656799736b798d98fc97c/thumbnail_6712000.jpg","/articles/6379162/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Board-recommends-code-change-to-allow-artificial-turf-with-design-installation-and-landscape-safeguards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379162-73c45d63ced48c7314841758290b0961/orig.mp4?Expires=1775866302&Signature=Hvamq5NQs5eIzcRCtCFD0S~S0ouX8A4NzvfXyvreifi7ELnEZ08XTR0GVCmHkIWdSDJRnwGRhJCJ1tzimxQEMcYAT~jlWCPMJ90E2QNICDszohGFMNVM-IGZIj~ejSm8KWaCYU4QVQtKgaxEOVxaI8FQ8rLP4wm3nSX0G-UBamYPSKFUk~wOyWb5wSxXf-XfGGE-8wxHhDiMBhM1b2DR9sg4wJJoVDJXegwz7E23MviDt3X5wJ5T5Wkz-bOOlqoc3gBw2akvxvBCoeFdF-b0h-apg1OhgUvbBcOdMwGWydCA5cTRLc~EVwJutnnBHEtRdcopqcH71OBLF3Lka6T5rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Development Board on Jan. 21 recommended that city council adopt a text amendment to permit artificial turf under strict standards and to add a residential front‑yard landscape requirement that would require 25% of front yards to contain living plant material in certain scenarios.

Staff said the amendment is intended to legalize and regulate installations that have been done without permits, to set material and installation standards, and to protect trees, buffers and stormwater functions. Lauren Matzke, planning staff, explained the proposal’s scope: the amendment would allow artificial turf through a building‑permit process, spell out pile height and base‑weight minimums, require manufacturer specs and inspections, prohibit turf in required perimeter vegetative buffers and interior landscape islands, and treat professionally‑installed turf as pervious for stormwater calculations if installed and certified according to specifications.

Matzke told the board the proposal also creates a residential landscape‑area standard requiring 25% of the front yard to be living plant material for specified triggers (new homes, certain improvements and new turf installations), and that staff would apply grandfathering rules for existing installations installed prior to the ordinance effective date.

The board asked a series of practical questions about perviousness, tree impacts, landscape islands in parking lots, contractor qualification and how grandfathering for pre‑existing turf would be handled. At the hearing, industry and municipal representatives said professional installation matters for drainage; a public commenter representing a commercial property owner said properly installed turf in commercial parking islands can be superior to poorly maintained mulch and he urged the city not to ban it in drive aisles.

After discussion the board moved to recommend approval to city council but asked staff to clarify (1) how the 25% front‑yard landscape rule applies to single‑family and duplex houses versus non‑residential properties; (2) whether limited use of artificial turf in commercial interior landscape islands or drive aisles should be allowed with appropriate safeguards for trees and drainage; and (3) how installer verification or licensure requirements should be handled so perviousness is enforceable. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Highlights of the proposed code language (as presented to the board)

- Allows artificial turf citywide by building permit; requires manufacturer specs, minimum pile height and face weight (residential minimum 1.5 inches pile; 60 oz face weight recommended), flame retardant and PFAS‑free material, and an 8‑year manufacturer warranty.
- Treats professionally installed turf as pervious only when submitted installation photos and sub‑base verification show compliance; homeowner self‑installation would be treated as impervious for stormwater calculations.
- Prohibits artificial turf in required perimeter vegetative buffers and interior landscape islands unless specifically permitted and consistent with buffer and tree‑protection requirements.
- Requires submission of a landscape plan, tree preservation plan when applicable, and photos of installation layers for final inspection.

Next steps: The board will forward its recommendation and requested clarifications to city council; staff indicated first and second council readings are scheduled in March, after which the ordinance may be approved or returned for amendment.

Sources: Staff presentation, industry commenter and public comment recorded Jan. 21, 2025.","The Community Development Board on Jan. 21 recommended that city council adopt a text amendment to permit artificial turf under strict standards and to add a residential front‑yard landscape requirement that would require 25% of front yards to contain living plant material in certain scenarios.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves 35‑unit development for Homeless Empowerment Program after neighbors raise safety and school proximity concerns

Board approves 6‑unit resort‑attached dwellings at 693–699 Bay Esplanade with pool setback relief

Board recommends code change to allow artificial turf with design, installation and landscape safeguards