Council approves conditional-use permit for recreational ‘smash’ business despite residential concerns; vice mayor dissents

The City of Pinellas Park City Council on March 27 approved a conditional-use permit (CU-0225-00006) allowing a recreational establishment to operate at 3520/352060 Sixth Avenue North in the M1 Light Industrial zoning district, with conditions set by the Planning & Zoning Commission. The hearing was quasi-judicial and held as a first and final reading.

Associate Planner Michael Carleglio presented the proposal and the applicable code criteria for a recreational establishment in M1. He said the site’s land use is Industrial Limited (IL) and that the parcel sits in flood zone X (low risk). Carleglio summarized Planning & Zoning’s recommended conditions from its March 6, 2025 review: a cross‑access or parking agreement with an adjacent property (which staff said has been met), a limit of two patrons actively “smashing” at any given time, donations only accepted during business hours through the front door, and prohibition on leaving items outside during non‑business hours. He noted the applicant proposed operating hours of Monday–Thursday 12 p.m.–8 p.m., Friday–Saturday 12 p.m.–10 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m., and that the minimum parking requirement per code is seven spaces; the applicant proposed to meet that requirement.

Applicant Christina Tolliver described the venue layout: two separate smashing rooms, a designated safe waiting area for non‑participants, a reported maximum occupancy of 20 people, and existing agreements for use of adjacent parking spaces when necessary. Tolliver said the business maintains a $2 million general liability policy, workers’ compensation, and partnerships with community organizations and the University of South Florida for program evaluation and therapeutic services.

Nut graf: Council approved the conditional use with the stated conditions; the approval drew questions from councilmembers and neighbors about parking, landscaping, proximity to residences and maximum occupancy. Vice Mayor Seville recorded the sole no vote.

During council questioning, staff and the applicant clarified that only two patrons may smash at a time (one per area) though the facility may host groups up to 20, that the rear parking abuts another M1 commercial property rather than single-family lots, and that the applicant has an agreement to use at least two off-site spaces and an understanding with the neighboring property owner about parking. Staff noted the applicant has not submitted a landscaping plan and that the code would not require site upgrades unless physical changes to the property were proposed; staff said landscaping could be made a condition of approval.

After public testimony from the applicant and limited council questions, Councilmember Butler moved to approve the conditional use on first and final reading; the motion was seconded and carried with Vice Mayor Seville voting no and the remaining members voting yes.

Ending: The conditional-use approval permits the recreational establishment to operate under the conditions adopted by the commission and council; future changes in use or site alterations may trigger additional code obligations or permit requirements.