[{"_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",5970518,"mediaKeyId","5774747-526e335b1862574d36be351c03342562","parentId",5774747,"title","LPA approves land‑use and zoning amendments to consolidate towing operations at I‑275 interchange in Lealman","audioSeconds",1461,"startMs",4499000,"endMs",5960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774747-526e335b1862574d36be351c03342562&start=4499&end=5960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774747-526e335b1862574d36be351c03342562/thumbnail_4499000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5970518/Pinellas-County/Florida/LPA-approves-landuse-and-zoning-amendments-to-consolidate-towing-operations-at-I275-interchange-in-Lealman","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5970518-77ee5d00de20e91966037b8f4e971e4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393290&Signature=YS7qHpdRxAxoqpWyCVW-cqWciNlRYmRvnzYBbpvZwIu3HMdMUd-WXMmSR0d1vp8AGcicB0RW2iWmm3uXXedNyHz4P~JhFLVT--N63ycDW3xoo0D1OQavKwCRi8mLl79VVdRMsYjC45kuBah8Y4hTn2F-E6sQdhCZCs3Wq0TPutEtjBFWcusqXZPAWa75Dyo5qtzLWIoy03yBdYi7SO19PZ9npLkxdKoOPvi00h8jMAk6QuC4-sf04bZxAr0xpF2CkeXjGAKXcZeP8IwjtUzPppXYUWWXnKGZrKYkna7k6t5jGhH~9xgO2Annkgn9YMAIqpyjREjSDKwAaIFoqzMEDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pinellas County, FL ","date","2025-09-12T21:05:39Z","article","The Pinellas County Local Planning Agency approved FLU25‑07 and ZON25‑05, companion cases to convert a roughly 0.6‑acre parcel at 2550 Fifth Avenue North in Lealman from a mixed‑use corridor primary commerce future land‑use designation to Commercial General and to rezone the parcel from the Lealman form‑based code to C‑2 (general commercial and services).

Long‑range Planning Manager Scott Swernian told the board the parcel sits at the northwest quadrant of the I‑275 and 50th Avenue North interchange and is currently used to store towed vehicles. The property owner also controls an adjacent parcel to the west and intends to redevelop the two parcels cohesively for a towing‑business operation with an on‑site office. Swernian said the location’s proximity to the interchange, its existing nonresidential uses and the surrounding pattern of commercial properties make commercial general a consistent designation.

Applicant Angel Rivera, participating online, said the owner previously had C‑2 zoning on the site and that the rezoning would formalize the towing and fleet‑storage use; he said the rezone would not increase visitor traffic because the business primarily stores and maintains a fleet. Rivera told the board the applicant will comply with county development standards and will not seek variances.

A neighbor, Robert Lawson of Fifth Avenue North, spoke in opposition. Lawson described what he called a “very busy towing company” with large trucks, curb impacts and repeated noise at all hours. “I get noise 24 7,” Lawson said, and he said his neighborhood is a small, primarily residential area and that tractor‑trailer turning maneuvers have damaged a storm drain near the site.

Board members and staff discussed access and site design constraints. Staff noted that FDOT will not permit access at a nearby ramp location and that any redevelopment will be required to demonstrate safe turning movements and staging on the property during the site‑plan review. Swernian and county staff said site plan review will address stormwater, buffering, screening and truck turning templates; off‑site staging in the public right‑of‑way would remain a code violation.

The board approved both the land‑use and zoning amendments; the record shows Board member Laurie Johnson dissenting on both votes. Staff said the approvals will move to the Board of County Commissioners for a public hearing on Oct. 21, 2025. If approved by the Board of County Commissioners, redevelopment will require site‑plan submittal, engineering review, compliance with the county’s access and stormwater standards, and any necessary coordination with FDOT for driveway location and related access constraints.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Local Planning Agency 9-10-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Local Planning Agency approved companion cases FLU25‑07 and ZON25‑05 to change a 0.6‑acre parcel at 2550 Fifth Avenue North from a mixed‑use corridor designation and Lealman form‑based code to Commercial General and C‑2 zoning to allow a consolidated towing and vehicle storage operation; a nearby resident opposed on traffic and noise grounds.","taxTitle","Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",2867,"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},5970521,"LPA approves rezoning of Gandy mobile‑home site to RM; density cap remains tied to county future land use",758,3702000,4460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774747-526e335b1862574d36be351c03342562&start=3702&end=4460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774747-526e335b1862574d36be351c03342562/thumbnail_3702000.jpg","/articles/5970521/Pinellas-County/Florida/LPA-approves-rezoning-of-Gandy-mobilehome-site-to-RM-density-cap-remains-tied-to-county-future-land-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5970521-eb2d9aa1abdec3db8304d9b2bf50bb5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393290&Signature=ZeRrLpIF6yu-3Ui8AJEro-f8B8XVkykVTTiQ9j4EFw00Ntm~z8HkdnbPVMqHFbwr2ib7mlGLDqLzgd8BYd01xe3LEkC3L8qkjRTNEAS42Gf-byZhwQKp-jXONf8P3nlBVGI~jgxxhq-iyG9wQz5fJ~R7W8p4haP7O2PAw6gVDXixsuhgQreGVdwUjcsnNutCWCNXSy-Rz6nxkCtCUK4gfsam5AdEYXRZ9KeCDOXMlaIB2K4cNT3aaUadCGffBvxGlUaVaQb8BM6ofb~LG3oQwAcBsftFGcnfdSXA8bLdKw32FpSgHtuvXAySNYADqp9cT26QuC78kI~7OkxuRo3NSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pinellas County Local Planning Agency approved ZON25‑02, a zoning atlas amendment that changes the property at 10636 Gandy Boulevard from RMH (residential mobile/manufactured home) to RM (multifamily residential). The LPA’s action will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action at the Oct. 21, 2025 hearing.

Planning staff recommended approval of the zoning change as consistent with the existing RU future land‑use designation, noting that the zoning amendment addresses the style of housing permitted (multifamily versus mobile manufactured homes) but does not alter the site’s maximum allowable density under the county’s future land‑use map. Staff reiterated that, under the existing RU category and the parcel’s acreage, the maximum buildable amount would still be 64 units unless the future land‑use map is amended.

Glenn Bailey explained that RM zoning would permit multifamily development such as apartments or condominiums, while RMH zoning allows mobile home parks and single‑family manufactured homes but not multifamily buildings. Applicant representative Todd Prisman said the rezoning is intended to enable redevelopment that meets current stormwater and elevation standards.

Board members asked for clarification about the relationship of zoning and density. Staff told the board that the previously‑voted denial of the companion future land‑use amendment (FLU25‑04) limits any change in density; approving the zoning amendment would permit multifamily building types on the site but within the density authorized by the current future land‑use designation. Board member Hamilton and others noted that annexation into the City of Saint Petersburg could subject the site to different standards, but staff emphasized that as an unincorporated parcel it is governed by the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan and county zoning.

The board approved ZON25‑02; the record shows one dissent for the related zoning motion during a separate vote (board member Cataldo registered a “no” on the zoning motion). If the Board of County Commissioners approves the companion zoning case, any redevelopment will require site plan review, stormwater infrastructure, elevation of buildings to current floodplain standards, and compliance with county development standards. The zoning approval does not itself permit construction until those approvals and permits are secured.","The Pinellas County Local Planning Agency voted to approve ZON25‑02, a zoning change from RMH (mobile/manufactured home) to RM (multifamily residential) at 10636 Gandy Boulevard; the decision permits multifamily building type but does not itself increase the site’s allowable density beyond what the county future land‑use designation allows.",{"_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},5970524,"Pinellas LPA recommends denial of Gandy land‑use change, citing comprehensive‑plan prohibition in coastal storm area",3147,534000,3681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774747-526e335b1862574d36be351c03342562&start=534&end=3681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774747-526e335b1862574d36be351c03342562/thumbnail_534000.jpg","/articles/5970524/Pinellas-County/Florida/Pinellas-LPA-recommends-denial-of-Gandy-landuse-change-citing-comprehensiveplan-prohibition-in-coastal-storm-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5970524-0fd497c3bd20cf0ffc4e0830683164c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393290&Signature=Syj56JSkXJAI1vFr68jr4aMu2QVH27KH-h3H1jHLrOyTXiUS2ywz0DBQJpAS~Rg1eM5~mr342t5tSZH9Od21Sc37phnqGQMue9xJFhV-9RqM5i3Sl7K8lZDwyli52vTuwrdbQCQPGsU9yxZhCmddU5wJ4xtW6rdZH2QDpcrL6otqjDk~b4VDwrJByDGGVcvo1HC142TlqF-kztS1HKcToO5pNduNVXFds6H8E3bp6UYS11m~ao~rDB2U3Q2PcE4TNBbbA9IjJlXugZ8X045tU8ItIHw0HkzKK1bkH-8vjHgTiLZ1vVWLc0lBzr-IiUUodIb6~-3gV4QNnwVK0GwbYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pinellas County Local Planning Agency on a vote of the body recommended denial of FLU25‑04, a future land‑use map amendment for 10636 Gandy Boulevard in unincorporated Saint Petersburg, after staff and members concluded the request conflicts with county comprehensive‑plan rules for coastal storm areas.

Staff described the site as an 8.94‑acre property currently operating as Twin City Mobile Home Park with 103 approved spaces in its original plan but far fewer occupied units today. Planning Division Manager Glenn Bailey told the board the park “was established in the 19 fifties prior to land use map and zoning code” and that units were “deemed substantially damaged” after recent storms, making the existing homes infeasible to elevate and retain as‑is.

The staff report recommended denial because the proposed change—from Residential Urban (RU, 7.5 units/acre) and a small area of Commercial General (CG) to Residential Medium (RM, up to 15 units/acre)—would increase potential density well above the limits the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan sets for coastal storm areas. Bailey quoted the plan’s language, saying, “Pinellas County shall not approve any request to amend future land use map to designate parcels of land within the coastal storm area ... that permits more than 5 dwelling units per gross acre.” He reiterated that the site is in the coastal high hazard area, the coastal storm area and Hurricane Evacuation Zone A.

Todd Prisman, representing the applicant, responded that the comprehensive plan must be read “holistically” and urged the board to weigh other plan policies that encourage redevelopment and manufactured‑home preservation. Prisman said the owners have coordinated with county relocation assistance and that 51 residents applied for help, with 42 approved at the time the staff report was written. He also mentioned state options the applicant considered, including a graywater reuse density bonus, and argued the proposal would bring formal stormwater and elevation improvements to a failing site.

Board members pressed both sides on practical issues. Board member Hendricks emphasized housing needs and redevelopment opportunities along the Gandy corridor, while Board member Hamilton raised concerns about narrow ingress and egress to the property. Staff clarified that redevelopment would require bringing the site up to current stormwater and elevation standards and that the county’s land‑use rules limit density increases in the coastal storm area regardless of potential mitigation.

The board first voted on a motion to approve the future land‑use amendment; that motion failed. A subsequent motion, moved by Vice Chair Coleman and seconded by Board member Laurie Johnson, found the application inconsistent with the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan and recommended denial to the Board of County Commissioners. The motion to recommend denial passed. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a separate public hearing on Oct. 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. on the countywide docket.

The record includes staff citations to Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan coastal management and hurricane‑hazard policies and references to Florida statutes affecting density‑bonus programs. The applicant may pursue alternatives permitted under the existing RU designation (including a density bonus option under state law for graywater reuse, if eligible) or seek other approaches that do not require a comprehensive‑plan amendment.","At its September meeting the Pinellas County Local Planning Agency recommended that the Board of County Commissioners deny a requested future land‑use map amendment for 10636 Gandy Boulevard, finding the requested density increase inconsistent with the county comprehensive plan’s restrictions for coastal storm areas.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

LPA approves land‑use and zoning amendments to consolidate towing operations at I‑275 interchange in Lealman

LPA approves rezoning of Gandy mobile‑home site to RM; density cap remains tied to county future land use

Pinellas LPA recommends denial of Gandy land‑use change, citing comprehensive‑plan prohibition in coastal storm area