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Commission approves 21‑unit Azul Avenue vacation‑rental project at first hearing after neighbor concerns
Summary
The commission granted design‑review approval at first hearing for a 21‑unit short‑term rental development (Azul Avenue) at Pinehurst Road and San Christopher Drive. Staff and the applicant addressed questions about setbacks (FXM zoning minimum 2 ft), parking, trash pickup and on‑call property management; a nearby neighbor objected on traffic and sight‑line concerns.
On Jan. 8 the Dunedin City Commission approved, at the first hearing, a design‑review application for the Azul Avenue vacation homes project (DR20250004), a proposed two‑story development of 21 short‑term rental townhomes on roughly one acre near Pinehurst Road.
Francis Leong, planner with Community Development, said the site's land use and FXM form‑based zoning allow vacation rental use and staff found the application consistent with the applicable design‑review criteria after internal and advisory reviews. She noted the applicant reduced units during review to preserve a large oak tree.
Developer representatives described the proposal as a two‑bedroom townhome product with on‑site amenities, EV charging, bike racks and walking paths. "Beaches USA is lined up as our property management company...they're 24 hour accountable property management," said applicant Walter Finaccio, describing the plan for professional management and a 24‑hour emergency contact.
Commissioners and staff discussed multiple operational and public‑safety topics: the FXM minimum front setback (2 feet minimum, with a window up to 17 feet), trip generation (traffic analysis estimated about 14 peak‑hour trips), parking (city requires one space per room for this use), trash pickup logistics (city automated collection cannot enter the site; trash enclosures will be pushed to the curb on collection day), security (management committed to a 24‑hour contact and recommended on‑site cameras) and the possibility of future sale or change of use.
Neighbor Thomas Michaels (1370 Pinehurst Road), adjacent to the site, objected in public comment, citing vehicle sight‑line issues leaving his office, garbage placement and potential neighborhood transformation. Staff said the civil drawings show a sight‑distance triangle and the developer offered to lower (not remove) the front wall to improve visibility; city arborist review and solid‑waste coordination were noted as follow‑ups.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the design review at first hearing; second hearing is scheduled Feb. 5.
