[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6266011,"mediaKeyId","3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9","parentId",3087840,"title","St. Pete Beach pauses comprehensive-plan review after residents criticize workshop outreach; consultants to clarify legal scope","audioSeconds",2062,"startMs",4965000,"endMs",7027000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9&start=4965&end=7027","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9/thumbnail_4965000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266011/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Pete-Beach-pauses-comprehensive-plan-review-after-residents-criticize-workshop-outreach-consultants-to-clarify-legal-scope","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266011-11a327ba8f6be6396321d499ee23e7d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=TlQ-sYX-PJw1IMBzwUYo5LJLrBy2siYEHbBXFo9-~JS4jgvAPL2wq7iAU8nO7UiBZERW3zkUtFXQzRX6D4w8tAtCagRsDYF4YAyNJf3w2weCMNtXLr3wRTsYsrq7UWBJWGwxvkRtondQkM5Op-JO1qsd3m25WMM3mDc1QjFNP2IVqHeK0mKyup3DayPdVEtb-EmqH7zJPeN6ye3nXev1n8wkybquXCfNRobJxYd4Er6DJfcDUEfXPsBuGvUI8FPapqDS-QHiIyv-7D8PG7nM72mIyHbQ7lygpgYP4VkFvvphn54EaOLE~JxYx6wGHQAE7CryqfNp8NfnaxHkZaSaaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Pete Beach, FL","date","2025-04-23T01:09:03.18Z","article","Mayor Petrillo opened a lengthy discussion of the city’s comprehensive-plan review, saying the work must reflect “what the community wants” and raising concerns about a recent public workshop where many residents said consultants steered options toward larger-scale development.

Commissioner Robinson and several residents told the commission the workshop materials did not make it easy for displaced or working residents to participate and that the meeting’s framing appeared to favor particular redevelopment scenarios. Deborah Schechner told the commission she found the presentation “rushed, disorganized” and that the session seemed to marginalize resident concerns about sewer capacity, traffic and hotel-scale growth. Dana Richardson said displaced residents need remote (Zoom) access to participate.

Louie Serna of Calvin Giordano and Associates, the consultant firm under contract, told the commission the firm will collect the survey and workshop input and give the city a fuller report. He said the firm will explore whether residents could legally reduce density, but cautioned that Florida’s property-rights laws create real legal constraints: “Florida has very strict property rights laws,” he told the commission, and the firm cannot promise legal pathways in every scenario. Serna said his team would work with the city’s attorneys to test options and report back.

City Attorney and staff briefed the commission on a pending state measure (House Bill 1535) that, if enacted, would restrict local governments from adopting more burdensome or restrictive comprehensive-plan provisions through mid-2027; the city attorney advised commissioners the Legislature’s action could limit local options and that the commission should consider that timeline when deciding whether to continue or pause the review.

After extended public comment and discussion, the commission reached consensus to pause the outreach-driven portions of the review and asked Calvin Giordano to return with clarifying analysis and next steps at the commission meeting on May 13, 2025. The city attorney's review of the contract showed the city could terminate the engagement with 30 days’ written notice and pay the consultant for work performed to date; staff estimated the contract was roughly 40–50% complete.

Commissioners said they prefer the project move forward if the firm will explicitly address the question the commission raised at the contract award stage: if the community asks to reduce density, intensity or height, can the consultant propose legally viable changes or procedures that achieve that outcome? If the consultant cannot provide options, commissioners said they want the consultant to say so so the city can consider alternatives.

No formal vote to terminate the contract was taken at the meeting; the commission set a follow-up on May 13 and asked staff and the consultant to refine outreach, increase remote participation options and return with legal clarifications and any feasible technical measures (for example, changes to pool‑area rules, transfers of density or infrastructure‑based limits) the city might employ without running afoul of state law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following resident complaints about recent workshops, the City Commission asked its contracted consultant to reassess outreach and legal options and agreed to reconvene the comprehensive-plan conversation at the May 13 meeting while tracking pending state legislation that could limit local authority.","taxTitle","St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",48406,"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},6266016,"St. Pete Beach weighs repair or demolition for Pass-a-Grille shuffleboard building and Mary Pier bait shack",3583,741000,4324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9&start=741&end=4324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6266016/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Pete-Beach-weighs-repair-or-demolition-for-Pass-a-Grille-shuffleboard-building-and-Mary-Pier-bait-shack","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266016-d10717070cd3c7cb7cef00cc4ca866bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=Wxq-xmE5c1ukuGj4pxcarvHRB8~1s5ObuoNAiLewihD5DGWy929AnBHEgiR8DJ9KDBW-IU-oSgOjU6cHqOQY0inhRgL6iJUS1j070~dSQnQdfdc8V2UiY~5wd9ye4FsSoFA73bBPl-n6qPzf~ZbFEYsHAt25a-ro4hvndEoxZR4sF85KAxop8wnXUccU98EuapFvISU9Eez2SFXOP9jT29uHXWiDWqJZ06VyZld0PnofywqepBK7BRgRS~LG98BWK10rvsyBf1mz3JPiQKFNI9IIQlEJDi97CiEg-JjWI~BK59HtzsMREb9d7ZQ4EkZi8NOzwh1a-mX2SI2LR2b81A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Camden Mills, the city’s public services director, told the City Commission on April 22 that two Pass-a-Grille structures damaged by recent storms — the shuffleboard clubhouse on Ninth Avenue and the Mary Pier bait shack at 801 Passa Grill Way — face competing repair, demolition and funding pressures.

Mills said the club building is historically designated and that contractor replacement estimates are “in the range of a hundred and $76,000.” He told commissioners the city has received just under $83,000 from insurance so far and that the historic-preservation board voted 5-0 in January in favor of demolition for that structure. Mills said the lowest responsive demolition quote received for the shuffleboard building was just over $8,000.

The Mary Pier bait shack, which Mills said was built in 1979 and is not itself historically designated, has an insurance-appraised value “just under $75,000.” He said a contractor estimate from Cotton Global for repairs is about $96,000 (not including plumbing) and that the city has received just over $62,000 from its insurer. Because the structure sits over water, Mills said demolition costs are substantially higher — the lowest demolition quote received was just over $65,000 — and that rebuilding at the same location could be barred by FEMA because the site sits in the VE (velocity) flood zone.

“Replacement estimates that we’ve received so far are in the range of a hundred and $76,000,” Mills said during his presentation. He warned the commission that FEMA deadlines and state permitting affect timing: the state’s emergency permit exemption for over-water work expires May 31, and the county permit allows up to two years for repair activity.

Residents who spoke during public comment urged preserving both facilities. Peter Coleman, a Pass-a-Grille resident of 44 years, said the shuffleboard clubhouse and courts are central to the neighborhood’s character. “This building came by barge in the 1920s from Gulfport,” Coleman said. Other residents described regular league play, intergenerational use and the building’s role storing equipment and providing a gathering place.

Commissioners focused on next steps rather than taking an immediate vote. Commissioner Moholland asked staff to pursue a new appraisal of the Mary Pier structure; Mills said the city can do that if the commission directs it. Commissioners also discussed exploring whether the bait shack could qualify as a “working waterfront” property and whether the city should solicit additional contractor bids for lower-cost rebuild options — for example, an open-air structure with two restrooms rather than a full enclosed replacement.

Mills told the commission that both properties have FEMA projects opened and that the city is pursuing FEMA reimbursement, but that federal reimbursement can take three to five years. He also noted a current insurance payout is not the final determination and that staff could request a supplemental insurance appraisal and continue coordination with the insurer.

No demolition or repair contracts were approved at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to return with further research: updated appraisals, additional repair and demo estimates, clarification of permitting timelines tied to the May 31 state exemption, and options for community fundraising or partnerships. Mills advised the commission he could bring demolition contracts forward in May if the commission chooses demolition as the preferred path.

The debate highlighted tradeoffs: historic-preservation status, FEMA 50% repair rules, insurance valuations versus contractor estimates, environmental permitting for over-water work and community interest in preserving Pass-a-Grille character.

Residents, club leaders and commissioners asked the city to explore all options — including volunteer and community fundraising assistance and alternate building siting — before selecting demolition. Staff said it will continue coordinating with FEMA and the insurance provider, solicit additional bids, and pursue a supplemental appraisal for Mary Pier if the commission formally directs that step.","City staff reported repair and demolition cost estimates for two storm-damaged Pass-a-Grille facilities — the historically designated shuffleboard clubhouse and the Mary Pier bait shack — and commissioners asked staff to pursue additional appraisals, insurance coordination and repair/demolition options while residents urged preservation.",{"_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},6266001,"St. Pete Beach accepts emergency expenditures for hurricanes Helene and Milton totaling roughly $10 million in contracts",180,4772000,4952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9&start=4772&end=4952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9/thumbnail_4772000.jpg","/articles/6266001/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Pete-Beach-accepts-emergency-expenditures-for-hurricanes-Helene-and-Milton-totaling-roughly-10-million-in-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266001-6a0d50aa5f59097917ce00011f551df7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=mizxKV33oxj-~EACeOmz4kXU68k6PlOuZSy09qp1ayD8gSEPDTm~6VGasTY5DACWSMVcLeB3mMjHbyTTY2WYifV33ryVvfXc4cfY60YqXqyojdS5B5h7vNAPkNGCqzcWgiLT52YHBGjzb~HeIH0Oo1aH3Lo8pzpH3vvy9kw9YaZRR0TOswmo4Y-H5iYqbtLnF4GsjwIN7ZznsANk4guZcW6SKV1StIKde5nIfJD~zzqi97Cb7gy7xkIrEhCRaz~W6AqoRHUZsrBw60NNF1OYJoFSDmAzIWTtsNnj~pDTuS2n~~zeWsp8h4yB1dclJBccjGCntnsxZZTxhT2XngKW2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Devin Schmidt, the city’s finance director, presented an after‑the‑fact report on emergency contracts the city manager authorized following hurricanes Helene and Milton and asked the commission to accept the related expenditures, as required by the city charter.

Schmidt told commissioners the Helene contract total is $7.3 million (approximately $6.2 million spent to date) and the Milton contract total is $2.7 million (about $761,000 spent so far). He listed major categories of emergency work: debris collection and monitoring; pump‑station support and pumps; temporary repairs and street patching; emergency electrical and generator work; contracted building officials and plan examiners; and specialized over‑water demolition or cleanup tasks.

“We are reporting the contracts related to the emergency of Helene and Milton, as required for purchases exceeding $25,000,” Schmidt said. He reminded the commission that FEMA reimbursement for eligible work is possible but that reimbursement timelines can lag three to five years. Schmidt said the city had received about $3.9 million so far for Helene category A debris removal and that staff is evaluating an emergency bridge loan to manage cash flow.

Commissioners asked whether there were public comments; none were offered. Vice Mayor Marriott moved to accept the emergency expenditures under the charter’s emergency-procurement provisions; the motion passed on roll call (yes: Marriott, Robinson, Moholland, Petrillo).","Finance staff reported emergency contracts and expenditures related to hurricanes Helene and Milton; the commission accepted the after‑the‑fact emergency procurements as required by the city charter. Staff noted FEMA reimbursement could take years.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6266006,"Commission approves first reading of nuisance‑abatement code update",1150,5006000,6156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9&start=5006&end=6156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087840-f8f4ad2d1e636f48297a4108f2c607f9/thumbnail_5006000.jpg","/articles/6266006/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Commission-approves-first-reading-of-nuisanceabatement-code-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266006-9d22cd32771e053b2b4b10bf0b16cc8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440110&Signature=i1HfSwZClwa0eXPjZ5zFxYjEqyogtzLrDT5ijZlq8MfSw6AcCFEwUags~VDD1FZ3qUj79YFAMlz2~jSVK6ZRtyclgLptojlxfwqnzcS-MDMG8XKMYABKhQJhTu8XHLDdq6BoZB9dbx~urrRJGYSudNo8VvN8CEXQWcZ07yqRfdOgAjtCc1R1sxoOy5d-XGKAiDCoZ71VxomB~v335ouJyKqVYGoCVcqZUriuSHKr53DvzZEh1tSo9BAL~D7IKkZuPy0NNFZXKXhVaRaBtp2g2-L0EflQeECz2O9EQHIWcgTJ0UvSywhnCmGZssxspAvmyhctwF1soLGzcxeCD0cCjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Attorney (on behalf of staff) introduced Ordinance 2025-11 to modernize nuisance-abatement procedures in Chapter 46 and to create a clearer special‑magistrate hearing process for declaring and abating public nuisances.

The attorney said the update moves certain responsibilities from the city manager to code-enforcement staff, clarifies due-process steps, allows the special magistrate to take evidence and order abatement, and provides for city abatement and cost recovery where property owners do not remedy declared nuisances. The ordinance also allows the city to mow lots or trim dangerous trees without a prior magistrate hearing when the owner does not respond, with the owner able to request a hearing after notice.

During public comment, resident John Kirsman urged careful, documented notice procedures and expressed concern about how notices reach absentee owners. Commissioners discussed safeguards and the magistrate process, and staff said owners will receive notice and can request hearings; lawn mowing and tree trimming provisions can be appealed to the magistrate.

Commissioner Moholland moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 2025-11; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call: Commissioner Moholland — Yes; Vice Mayor Marriott — Yes; Commissioner Robinson — Yes; Mayor Petrillo — Yes. The ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption at a later meeting.","On first reading the commission approved amendments to Chapter 46 to modernize nuisance-abatement procedures, add special-magistrate hearings and clarify lot-mowing and tree-trimming enforcement; the motion passed on a 4-0 roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

St. Pete Beach pauses comprehensive-plan review after residents criticize workshop outreach; consultants to clarify legal scope

St. Pete Beach weighs repair or demolition for Pass-a-Grille shuffleboard building and Mary Pier bait shack

St. Pete Beach accepts emergency expenditures for hurricanes Helene and Milton totaling roughly $10 million in contracts

Commission approves first reading of nuisance‑abatement code update