The Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals approved a Type 2 use on June 4 to allow Habitat for Humanity to redevelop 25 platted lots in the Lilleman community into single-family detached houses.

The project, described by staff as a return to the neighborhood’s original platting in the Lilleman Heights Project area, will let Habitat for Humanity, Tampa Bay Gulf Side, build 25 affordable detached homes on properties along 50 Seventh Avenue North and 50 Eighth Avenue North near Fortieth Street North.

Staff recommended conditional approval. Cesar Figueredo, with Habitat for Humanity, Tampa Bay Gulf Side, told the board the homes will be sold with 0% interest mortgages and that “there’s a misconception that we give away free homes.” Figueredo said Habitat requires need, a willingness to partner and an ability to pay a mortgage to participate in the program.

Jeremy Heath, a member of the Lohman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) advisory committee who spoke as a private citizen, said the project is “nearly 10 years in the making” and that the CRA supports redeveloping affordable housing in the area.

The board heard no opponents during the hearing. A board member asked about potential conflicts after disclosing a personal connection to Habitat; county counsel advised the member to recuse only if the member expected a special private gain or loss beyond that of an average resident. The board then moved and seconded a motion to approve the staff findings; the motion carried by voice vote.

Details in the staff report indicate the surrounding area is primarily single-family detached homes, with a public elementary school and nonprofit offices nearby, and that previous plans for multifamily affordable housing in the Lilleman Heights Project did not materialize. The proposal would subdivide the properties back to their original platted lots for single-family development.

The approval was limited to the Type 2 use requested and included the conditions recommended by staff. No new construction approvals beyond normal permitting were granted by the board at this hearing; implementation remains subject to building permits and conditions in the staff report.