[{"_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",6212165,"mediaKeyId","3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615","parentId",3685899,"title","Dunedin commission approves 78-unit affordable project at Carnation Drive after public concerns over flooding, traffic and light","audioSeconds",8816,"startMs",1703000,"endMs",10519000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615&start=1703&end=10519","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615/thumbnail_1703000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212165/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Dunedin-commission-approves-78-unit-affordable-project-at-Carnation-Drive-after-public-concerns-over-flooding-traffic-and-light","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212165-4ff43ab8e1b8d2f8e3a0939c95aa0e3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153467&Signature=gINK7PmW-2PcI~PVXbkwN3xKNmlIxmfOK9lYs~W~H3G-HmIvUohyUh~VQzv8PRAEeRgluqMDoyFVqS4mEFgUxreWPE~gUC3xjAReKNUS2b2~sCEPbFmbTiowT7A0~olpVHWhTQoOeEu42LRWjdCjlqbecTi~T45DiDSCQxlT7jfzxKFbOmHsA202Oa3N6zcrydVvwsFWfRKSw0IeCaeVnzkHHMsp1deWvokdNhG-NU~Rk18-0jQTOFnWs86poluu47w98c1-tPShKvu6roJD62uKOKdrKjkvaO9yHzcPvu771gbq~zS-xvkPJbKhZG9e0MKvHvvswwq7CBoHVgClKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Dunedin, FL","date","2025-06-06T08:49:32.543Z","article","Dunedin’s City Commission voted unanimously June 5 to approve a development agreement for the Flats on Main Street, a 78‑unit affordable housing project proposed for 1422 Carnation Drive.

The commission approved the second reading of Ordinance 25‑O‑1 after staff described the project as housing “serving individuals and families with income levels ranging anywhere from 30% to 80% of the area median income,” and after developers and county partners outlined financial supports that will reduce tenant rents.

Community-development director George Kenny told commissioners the agreement bundles two code incentives — a 50% density bonus (cited under the land development code) and a 50% public art exemption — and noted the project will proceed to a separate design review. Economic development manager Bob Ironsmith said the project fills a long‑standing local need: “This is, again, 78 units, affordable, attainable housing.”

Developer Brett Green of Archway Partners said the project has been structured to attract state and county resources. He told the commission the Pinellas County Housing Authority has committed $10 million in rental vouchers over a multi‑year period to reduce tenant rents, and the city is contributing $610,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Green said his firm’s experience in similar projects shows parking demand tends to run about 0.75 to 1.0 space per unit despite zoning parking ratios that are higher.

Residents who live adjacent to the site urged caution. Peggy Fast, speaking on behalf of Saint Christopher Villas residents, said she supports affordable housing but warned the proposed three‑story buildings would cause “light pollution” and worsen drainage problems she says began after nearby development. Kevin Griffin, who owns property on Heather Drive, said heavy rains have left yards flooded and argued the area has tight access that can impede emergency vehicles. Other neighbors asked for a formal geotechnical and environmental assessment, for assurance on stormwater protections and for traffic‑safety analysis at the Carnation Drive/Main Street intersection.

City staff and the developer said many of those topics will be examined in the design‑review phase. George Kenny and other staff said stormwater, parking, traffic impacts, emergency‑vehicle circulation and landscaping buffer plans are part of the forthcoming design review and associated technical studies. City staff noted the developer intends to design stormwater systems to a higher standard than code minimums; staff told the commission the developer is planning retention sized to a 100‑year storm event, above the city’s 25‑year pre/post requirement.

Commissioners and staff emphasized the procedural next steps: approval of the development agreement authorizes the project to move forward to the Local Planning Agency and the city’s design‑review process, where technical plans, drainage calculations, traffic analyses and landscape buffering will be reviewed and public hearings held. The commission recorded unanimous approval on second reading.

What commissioners approved and what comes next: the ordinance approved the development agreement and the City will later review the detailed site design, final engineering, traffic analysis and stormwater calculations. Staff said that, where appropriate, third‑party peer reviews (for example, for traffic) will be used to verify developer studies before final design approvals.

The commission’s vote followed more than an hour of staff presentations, developer responses and public comment. Commissioners asked staff to ensure that the design review explicitly addresses the neighbors’ concerns on drainage, light mitigation, buffering and emergency access before final construction approvals are issued.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Regular Meeting 6.5.25","oneSentenceSummary","Dunedin’s City Commission voted unanimously June 5 to approve a development agreement for the Flats on Main Street, a 78‑unit affordable housing project proposed for 1422 Carnation Drive.","taxTitle","Dunedin, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",50865,"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},6212151,"Dunedin approves voluntary contraction of 0.7‑acre parcel to Clearwater to allow unified medical campus development",483,8718000,9201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615&start=8718&end=9201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615/thumbnail_8718000.jpg","/articles/6212151/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Dunedin-approves-voluntary-contraction-of-07acre-parcel-to-Clearwater-to-allow-unified-medical-campus-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212151-a64a7d83244ec6aa51e827c5828e7104/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153467&Signature=C~K9yb9IYC56dnU7wTx-oXo61pvV5~qsKI0JCL1Na9uxB6oLJc1IZKCSfcK78lUzTuOq9RdUfwbPLZfMQPXMLlJl2oWig1Q~ukGLl0d~1CdZFfV8PJZwWKjl5Mu0GMwppTf1mIR3MPPpFkbU9v-ksyDuU6JKYxn-xus9BtVGzUs3ZG2Cc8nKz38paDcTTGPIfLZOcaQetFURx22~JL2p1nRbgySKq0~eyRVi7QhtXNlPh9Pbu7JcnvSOp-CNEjCCAQ07zbcCwxKXAD2dt9Qy9MZXsQUawcQCEW-VxhSPUJn4VFDZtWKsTCdayILHZ4FBKxJIjijsb8AGjwJ8hLv4YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dunedin City Commission voted unanimously June 5 to adopt Ordinance 25‑O‑3, contracting approximately 0.7 acres of city‑owned real property identified as Pinellas County tax parcel 30‑28‑16‑00000‑320‑0200 into the neighboring Clearwater jurisdiction to allow coordinated development of a new Largo Medical Center emergency facility.

Staff explained the contraction is requested to permit unified site development across two adjacent parcels that currently lie in separate municipal jurisdictions. Community Development staff said Clearwater is better positioned to serve certain infrastructure needs for the unified campus and that the consolidation simplifies permitting and site engineering for the hospital project.

George Kenny summarized the rationale and noted staff support. He told commissioners the contraction follows the Florida statutory process for voluntary boundary contraction and said the developer has provided an $18,000 payment related to prior site work; staff said the long‑term tax impacts to Dunedin were minimal compared with the overall regional development.

The ordinance passed on second reading with a unanimous vote. Staff will notify the appropriate agencies and complete the statutory steps required for municipal boundary adjustment.","The commission approved Ordinance 25‑O‑3 to contract a 0.7‑acre parcel at North Belcher Road and State Road 580 into the adjacent Clearwater jurisdiction, enabling a unified development site for Largo Medical Center’s new emergency facility; staff said fiscal impacts are minimal and the applicant provided $18,000 as part of the process.",{"_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},6212156,"City awards $16.1 million contract to replace aging electrical systems at wastewater plant",819,9233000,10052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615&start=9233&end=10052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615/thumbnail_9233000.jpg","/articles/6212156/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-awards-161-million-contract-to-replace-aging-electrical-systems-at-wastewater-plant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212156-d228e73add27768ae500ed74c642b014/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153467&Signature=RaBT5~doVcAK4Vx3AlsoyvY7RZ6~KWOlwQ1uL9-Fl1Z6CJXKgU~X8JcfscG~fXHbr9X7-CIbaBnmhIdHbB9Loir-OVEotI4U4i-pZM1EAm1e4LQ-jiKCbTcA3NFCin1llY3HA~QqDQuWvXpXBiliTKgTCkAXqnIfX1CyCglxm3u2ZF8OXEX-9r5RZCspWr-yaxWq5GqwxveYGgRAkI94B8AcwB1lfhBRuGVXBvty3K4ne0KNCUzBl7IKH~gLyzk9zzNrplOVCRLpewt0AqDiT2U2QFHQYO0i6NxPbPuldG45aNzWdnda1ID0bOwQmzhVovoHP9s9hbzo3wt-8p3qwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission approved a $16,116,563 construction contract June 5 to upgrade electrical systems at Dunedin’s wastewater treatment plant, which staff said is operating with equipment original to the facility’s 1990 construction.

Alex (project engineer) told the commission the plant’s electrical gear has performed under regular maintenance but “has exceeded its predicted service time,” and the master‑plan review recommended immediate replacement. The project will replace motor control centers, breakers, control panels, transformers and feeders, and will construct a new electrical building to house a 4,000‑amp switchgear assembly.

Staff competitively advertised the work and recommended awarding the contract to TLC Diversified Inc. (Palmetto, Florida) as the lowest responsive bidder. The contract is the base bid plus selected additive alternatives for two motor‑control‑center replacements and an emergency generator/MCC building, for a total of $16,116,563.

Public works and plant staff described the upgrades as essential to reliability, safety and maintainability. Project manager Alex said newer equipment will reduce spare‑parts scarcity and improve arc‑flash safety and system resiliency; he described the new switchgear building as the location where the Duke Energy feed and the plant’s emergency generator will be coordinated.

Funding will include the city’s capital program and expected State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan participation, which staff described as low interest and appropriate for large utility infrastructure projects. Staff said the project had been value‑engineered and pared back from earlier estimates to fit the SRF budget before rebidding, and that project construction will span multiple years when fieldwork begins.

The commission voted unanimously to award the contract and instructed staff to proceed with final contracting and SRF closeout steps.","The commission awarded a competitive construction contract to TLC Diversified to replace outdated electrical components, add a new switchgear building and upgrade feeders and motor control centers at the wastewater treatment plant; work will be financed in part by a low‑interest SRF loan.",{"_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},6212161,"Dunedin approves multi‑year water and sewer rate package as utility leaders cite inflation, supply and regulatory costs",1442,6246000,7688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615&start=6246&end=7688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685899-b4a26c84e3713767d8c8e63f2ff56615/thumbnail_6246000.jpg","/articles/6212161/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Dunedin-approves-multiyear-water-and-sewer-rate-package-as-utility-leaders-cite-inflation-supply-and-regulatory-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212161-b71037ca7048e1a9b1c0bac8d702cbe3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153467&Signature=bPUpltHT7IgAMElCwYzwPNofpbjI5ovpyibxV7g~rXTjsdsnBislmy~NcdV7oKh38nXGM1thRNGVArGPUrmFgPoYHfbWRBeMhJGOTcpPATOo4As7EFyI1zITJ9aExY46tcfKuTbcBaB7FxMK7OvUT4zNtg1gFCFentDbWDq5tZdDqmlJ-pdyniTGTn8uP5h1knKz~RmqLbYFTYd-3uDpzYzmNkgXscACxiKEu5RhD0XLVRmnDZEXOpY4WFtuihleJtIYdhOsPS~ZLopMpPxmZOcHM3BVK5RKugdLGz3UP8gvDNeqIgXZzNB~N6GW6mwNaFHHhyfCwPzV2IBxPLQLdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission unanimously adopted Ordinance 25‑O‑4 on June 5 to raise water and sewer rates after staff and consultants presented a multi‑year rate study the city says is required to stabilize the utility enterprise fund.

Clayton (Clay) Watkins, Utilities and Engineering, told commissioners the utility must increase revenue to fund capital replacements, to cover rising operating costs and to finance projects that respond to regulatory changes. Watkins said industrywide cost pressures — higher construction costs, long lead times for parts and “vendor notices” of sharp price increases for some materials — have tightened the city’s options.

Consultant Tristan Townsend of Raftelis (the rate consultant) highlighted regulatory drivers tied to state law requiring alternatives to surface‑water discharge at wastewater plants and noted capital needs identified in the utility’s capital improvement program. Townsend said, “there’s about 16,000,000 budget in the capital program to address the reclaimed storage tank and also the ejection well,” placing the capital cost associated with reclaimed water infrastructure and well injection among the larger items in the plan.

Staff and consultants identified the following main drivers for higher rates: inflation and construction cost escalation (including a cited 22% construction cost increase and vendor notices of raw‑material price jumps), higher electricity costs, and regulatory requirements that will require new infrastructure (reclaimed storage and deep‑well injection to meet state timelines). Staff said they are recommending a rate schedule that front‑loads larger increases in the near term to fund projects in the capital program and then smooths increases later in the multi‑year plan.

City staff described outreach and mitigation steps for customers. Utilities staff said billing personnel will proactively contact accounts that show sudden spikes; the city’s billing system and meter telemetry allow staff to spot unusual usage. Staff noted a one‑time customer leak forgiveness program, recommended conservation messaging, and said they are developing rebate/incentive programs and communications with sustainability staff to promote water‑saving measures. The utility also pointed to an “Eye on Water” tool customers can use to monitor consumption in near real‑time.

Commissioners and several public speakers expressed concern about the bill impacts on residents. Staff said the utility issued about $200,000 in bill credits last year for leak adjustments and that billing staff already work with customers to evaluate high bills. Staff also noted social service and community partners who assist qualified customers in need.

The commission’s vote completed second reading of Ordinance 25‑O‑4 and adopted the rate package. Commissioners asked staff to continue to look for state or grant support and to return with additional customer‑assistance and conservation programs.

The ordinance takes effect according to the schedule contained in the adopted rate study; customers with billing questions were directed to the utility billing office where staff can review usage records, apply leak forgiveness where applicable, and discuss assistance options.","The commission adopted Ordinance 25‑O‑4 to raise water and sewer rates after a study showing rising construction, materials and operational costs, plus state regulatory requirements that drive capital needs including reclaimed water storage and injection wells.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dunedin commission approves 78-unit affordable project at Carnation Drive after public concerns over flooding, traffic and light

Dunedin approves voluntary contraction of 0.7‑acre parcel to Clearwater to allow unified medical campus development

City awards $16.1 million contract to replace aging electrical systems at wastewater plant

Dunedin approves multi‑year water and sewer rate package as utility leaders cite inflation, supply and regulatory costs