At Tuesday’s meeting the St. Pete Beach commission moved several items through first reading as part of its agenda to update procurement, zoning and code processes.

Key votes (first readings):
- Ordinance 2025-23: Procurement code amendments (adjusted thresholds and emergency procurement clarifications). Staff said thresholds were raised to give departments flexibility; staff will verify whether additional state statutes beyond SB 180 should be cited before second reading.
- Ordinance 2025-22: Land development code section for certified recovery residences, implementing state-required reasonable-accommodation procedures for certain recovery-home types; staff will produce an on-line application process to meet statutory deadlines.
- Ordinance 2025-21: Amendments to front-yard encroachments, balcony and accessory-structure rules, elevation/rebuild standards and tolling language aligned with state emergency provisions.
- Ordinance 2025-25: Amendments to appeals process naming the commission as the primary hearing body with an option to delegate hearing authority to a special magistrate (licensed attorney) and permitting site visits under Sunshine Law.
- Ordinance 2025-24: Wireless communications chapters update (see related article for details).

Voting and procedure: Each ordinance passed first reading on unanimous roll calls; staff noted several items would need fine-tuning or state alignment before second reading. Consent agenda approval (which included event co-sponsorship changes) also passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The ordinance changes affect procurement flexibility, zoning relief pathways for recovery residences, rebuild/elevation rules for floodplain and nonconforming structures, the appeals pathway for code disputes and the city’s approach to telecommunications in the right-of-way. Several items are linked to state deadlines or state statutes and will return for a second reading with clarified legal references.

Next steps: Staff will make requested clarifications, check cross-references to state law (including SB 180 where noted), and return items for final readings as scheduled.