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Commission adopts two community redevelopment amendments to support corridor investment
Summary
At second reading the commission unanimously approved amendments expanding the Clearwater–Largo Road Community Redevelopment District and updating the West Bay Drive CRA plan; staff said both steps aim to support targeted investment and align with county partners.
The Largo City Commission unanimously adopted two community redevelopment plan amendments at their July 1 meeting: a major expansion and reset of the Clearwater–Largo Road Community Redevelopment District and amendments to the West Bay Drive Community Redevelopment District.
Ordinance 2025-19, the Clearwater–Largo Road corridor amendment, was approved at second reading after previously winning unanimous first-reading support on May 6 and being continued June 3. Staff characterized the ordinance as a major amendment to expand the plan area and update findings; staff did not present slides again but made the first-reading slide deck available to the commission.
Ordinance 2025-22 amends the West Bay Drive district, consolidating redundant standards, updating design vision and establishing redevelopment toolkit tables with revised density and intensity ranges and additional capital improvement project details. Staff recommended approval and said the West Bay Drive changes are smaller in area and intended to better align district regulations with county plans.
During public comment, resident Matt Faustini urged commissioners to be aware that some county commissioners are opposed to new CRAs because they view tax-increment financing as reducing county property-tax revenue. He warned that county political hurdles could affect county-level approval for the Clearwater–Largo Road amendment.
Commissioners discussed coordination with Pinellas County; staff and commissioners said they have worked closely with county staff and Fort Pinellas, and that county review and annual reporting are part of the CRA process. Commissioners noted the Clearwater–Largo Road expansion is intended to reinvigorate a corridor with longstanding challenges and that the county could still benefit from increased value even if it forgoes some increment revenue during the redevelopment period.
Both ordinances passed on second and final reading by recorded voice vote, 6-0.
Staff said they will attend the county work session and public hearing on the amendments in August and confirmed they will coordinate with county staff prior to county consideration.
