Board approves modified Type 2 use for new Palm Harbor community recreation center

The Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals on Feb. 5 conditionally approved a modification of a previously granted Type 2 use to allow a new 27,562‑square‑foot, two‑story community recreation center at 1550 Sixteenth Street in Palm Harbor.

Michael, a Pinellas County staff member who presented the case, said the Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation Department intends to demolish a 1980-era building on the northeastern portion of the site and construct a new facility while retaining a 1999 community center on the south side. "Staff recommends conditional approval," he said.

The staff report said the site has been used historically for community and recreation purposes and that the 2015 variance allowed outdoor recreation areas on the eastern portion. The county planner told the board the proposal includes additional parking and retention to the north and that the new center will also serve as a storm shelter under a previously approved local resiliency project.

Derek Weaver, who identified himself as working for the county's Construction Services division, and Erica Lemford with Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation spoke for the application and answered board questions about site layout and the relationship to the 2015 approvals.

With no opponents appearing at the public hearing, Board member Baumstein moved to adopt staff's recommendation of conditional approval; Board member Bello seconded. The motion passed, 6–0.

The approval carries the standard conditions listed in the staff report, including required site‑plan permits, payment of fees and adherence to conditions imposed with the 2015 variance approval.

The board will consider all site‑plan and permitting details at subsequent administrative review and site‑plan stages.