Port Richey council approves future land-use, zoning change amid debate over proposed RV and boat storage

Port Richey — The City Council voted to redesignate a 0.98-acre parcel on the southwest corner of River Gulf Road from residential to commercial mixed use and to rezone the same parcels to general commercial (C-3), clearing the way for new development after a contested hearing on Jan. 28.

The measures were presented as ordinance No. 25-709 (future land-use map amendment) and ordinance No. 25-710 (zoning map amendment). Council adopted the future land-use change and the zoning map amendment following public comment, staff analysis and lengthy council discussion about traffic, neighborhood compatibility and the applicant’s stated plan for RV and boat storage with covered carport structures.

Why it matters: Council members split over short-term uses versus a long-term vision for revitalization along Grand Boulevard and toward the waterfront. Supporters said the change could unlock investment in an area of vacant lots and blight; critics warned that piecemeal rezoning…