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Commission denies small Lealman land‑use change after neighbors and staff raise compatibility concerns
Summary
The board unanimously denied a future land‑use map amendment for a 0.21‑acre Lealman parcel that applicant said would convert existing garage space into a third dwelling; neighbors and staff raised concerns about neighborhood compatibility and the site’s nonconforming condition.
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to deny a request to change a single Lealman property’s future land‑use designation from Residential Urban to Residential Medium.
Neighbors speaking during the public hearing described a small parcel and raised parking and safety concerns. “It is now only 8 inches from the edge of a curved driveway. This is a great hazard to anyone driving into my garage,” citizen Jane Wallowick told the board during public comment on a separate citizens’ hearing earlier in the meeting; neighboring resident Tony Clark specifically opposed the land‑use amendment for the parcel at the Northwest corner of Fortieth Street North and 405th Avenue North.
Planning‑division staff recommended denial. David Lee, a nearby resident who reviewed code history, told commissioners the property had multiple code enforcement actions and that “staff got this right,” urging denial.
Applicant representative Brian Dion said the application would not add new building footprint, only convert existing enclosed garage space to a residential unit. “We’re not adding more structures…we’re just converting what currently exists there,” Dion said. He also said any future permit work would need to meet code and that the presentation to the board was limited to the land‑use map request.
Commissioner Renee Flowers moved to accept staff’s recommendation to deny the future land‑use change; Commissioner Kenneth Welch (Peters) seconded and the board voted unanimously to deny the amendment.
Ending: The county will process any future permit requests or enforcement actions for the site under the existing zoning and land‑use designation; the applicant may pursue other permit or development options that comply with current RU (Residential Urban) standards.
