Board approves expanded uses for Inspired Acres with limits on events and parking variance

The Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals on April 2 approved a modification to the Type 2 use for Inspired Acres, a therapeutic equine facility at 1743 Doncaster Road, and a related variance to allow two off‑site overflow parking areas, subject to conditions intended to limit neighborhood impacts.

The change to the Type 2 use passed 6–1 after public testimony both supporting and opposing the proposal; the off‑site parking variance passed 7–0. The board’s Type 2 approval included limits the board imposed in its motion: no amplified music oriented toward residences, a limit of six large community events annually (reduced from eight in the applicant’s request), and a limit of two medium events per month (reduced from three).

The modification would allow Inspired Acres to expand programming beyond the equine therapeutic sessions previously authorized. Jamie Mayer, an attorney representing the applicant, said the requested change would let the nonprofit offer additional community and club‑style programming such as adaptive dance, craft workshops and small private events while relying primarily on existing structures. Mayer said: “We’re not coming here today for a different use… The proposal is to diversify the range of…