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Planning board approves IQ Fiber operations center at 5767 157th Avenue North
Summary
The Largo Planning Board voted 5–0 to approve a Class II conditional use for IQ Fiber to operate an operations center and equipment storage in an existing 4,600 sq ft building at 5767 157th Avenue North; staff said no expansion is proposed and recommended approval under CDC criteria.
The Largo Planning Board voted 5–0 on Nov. 6, 2025, to approve a Class II conditional use allowing IQ Fiber to use an existing 4,600‑square‑foot building at 5767 157th Avenue North as an operations center and equipment storage facility.
Planning Department staff told the board the 0.18‑acre site has a commercial neighborhood future land use designation and that the proposed use—office, administrative operations and internal warehousing—would not involve expansion or site work. Staff said anticipated impacts (parking, trip generation, hours and noise) would be comparable to other permitted neighborhood‑scale commercial uses and recommended approval under the Comprehensive Development Code criteria in CDC §4‑2‑4.
Josh Worrell, director of new market development for IQ Fiber, described the location as a temporary transition facility while the company builds out a regional network. “The network has not been built yet,” Worrell said, adding that IQ Fiber submitted permits to Largo and Clearwater “about two weeks ago” and that initial onsite staffing would be small—two technicians at the outset with a few additional administrative staff. He said technicians will operate from vans and will not store larger trucks on site.
With no members of the public signing up to speak on the item, Mr. Eiffert moved to approve the conditional use and Miss Robshaw seconded. Roll call recorded five yes votes (Miss Robshaw, Mr. Graham, Miss McGee, Mr. Eiffert and Chair Faustini); the motion carried 5–0. Chair Faustini thanked IQ Fiber for investing in Largo.
The approval applies only to the use as presented; staff said any future expansion or additions (for example, building additions or communications towers) would require a return to the board for further review. Permits necessary to operate the facility must still be obtained from the city.
Meeting materials list the applicant as IQ Fiber and identify Josh Worrell as the company representative. The board’s action was advisory in its local planning agency capacity; any applicable building or operational permits remain subject to standard review and approval processes.
