Pinellas Park council clears package of land‑use measures, annexation and a conditional‑use permit for smash‑business

Pinellas Park — The City Council on March 27 adopted several land‑use and code changes, approved the annexation of a parcel at 5570 Olmerton Road and granted a conditional‑use permit for a recreational “rage room” business at 3520 66th Avenue North.

Todd Byron, planning coordinator for the city, told council the fence and hedge amendment (Ordinance 2025‑10) aligns local requirements with the Florida Building Code and removes the permit requirement for fences on single‑family and duplex lots that are under 7 feet. "They do not need a permit," Byron said, adding that fences above 7 feet and pool enclosures would still require review. The ordinance passed on second and final reading unanimously.

Council next approved Ordinance 2025‑13 to add and regulate outdoor storage of vehicles, construction equipment and similar items as conditional uses in additional commercial and light‑industrial zoning districts. Byron said the proposal includes parking calculations (1 parking space per 10,000 square feet of storage and 1 per 300 square feet of accessory office) and a minimum 300‑foot separation from residential zoning, with solid enclosures and a 10‑foot landscape buffer required. The council adopted the ordinance unanimously.

In quasi‑judicial proceedings, the council approved annexation Ordinance 2025‑11 and the related future‑land‑use amendment (Ordinance 2025‑12) for a parcel at 5570 Olmerton Road, which planners recommended be designated Industrial Limited (IL) and Transportation Utility (TU) upon annexation. Senior Planner Lizzie St. Pierre said the parcel is contiguous to the city, lies in FEMA flood zones AE9 and X (high and moderate risk zones), and meets annexation requirements under Florida Statute 171.044. Both measures passed unanimously.

A more contested item was a conditional‑use permit (CU‑02250006) for a recreational establishment at 3520 66th Avenue North, described in the application as a "smash" or "rage room" business. Associate Planner Michael Carleglio summarized the request, noting the site is in the M‑1 light‑industrial zoning district and located in flood zone X; the business requested a waiver for arterial frontage and met the minimum parking requirement of seven spaces under code.

Applicant Christina Tolliver, who said she had been sworn in for the quasi‑judicial hearing, described a facility with two separate smashing rooms separated by a door, designated "safe zones" for observers, and a policy limiting active smashing to two patrons at a time per room. "We're probably one of, if not the safest, rage room in the entire country," Tolliver said, citing strict safety gear policies, a no‑alcohol rule, a $2,000,000 general liability policy and partnerships with the University of South Florida for licensed‑therapist‑led sessions. She said the business has accommodated groups of up to 20 in the past by using two rooms and benches as waiting areas.

Councilmembers asked about parking, landscaping and proximity to residences; staff said the site constraints limit what landscaping can be added and that a condition to require landscaping could be imposed. Tolliver said the owner of nearby residential lots has provided written support and that cross‑access or parking agreements are either in place or attainable.

Councilmember Butler moved to approve the conditional use on a first and final quasi‑judicial reading; the motion carried with one dissenting vote — Vice Mayor Lisonbee voted no — and the permit was approved with the standard conditions noted in the staff report.

The council also approved the consent agenda (items C1–C10) covering routine matters including release of unity of title for two lots, final‑plat approval for Yale Moss Industrial Center, amendments to a lease at Mayor's Park at Freedom Lake, acceptance of a utility easement, a reclaimed water purchase agreement with Pinellas County, authorization to contract with Public Trust Advisors LLC for investment advisor services, and purchases under Sourcewell contracts for police vehicles and other equipment. All consent items passed unanimously.

On the regular agenda the council reappointed Joanne Dolphin and Alicia Kelly to the Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee with terms expiring April 30, 2027; those reappointment motions passed unanimously.

The council closed the meeting with councilmember remarks thanking staff and organizers for recent community events such as Chili Blaze and Country in the Park and a briefing on upcoming community events and public‑safety campus equipment deliveries.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025‑10 (fences/walls/hedges amendment): adopted on second and final reading — motion carried unanimously. - Ordinance 2025‑13 (outdoor storage of vehicles/equipment): adopted on second and final reading — motion carried unanimously. - Ordinance 2025‑11 (annexation of 5570 Olmerton Road): adopted on second and final reading — motion carried unanimously. - Ordinance 2025‑12 (future land‑use amendment for 5570 Olmerton Road): adopted on second and final reading — motion carried unanimously. - Conditional use CU‑02250006 (recreational establishment at 3520 66th Avenue North): approved (first and final quasi‑judicial reading); Vice Mayor Lisonbee recorded a no vote; motion carried. - Consent agenda C1–C10: adopted — motion carried unanimously. - R1: Reappointments (Joanne Dolphin; Alicia Kelly): adopted — motions carried unanimously.

What to watch next

- The ordinances amend the Land Development Code and may change permit requirements and administrative review for fence constructions, outdoor storage operations and certain conditional uses; property owners and applicants should consult city staff for application requirements and any conditions attached to approvals.

The council scheduled its next public hearing for April 10, 2025 at 6 p.m. The meeting adjourned following closing remarks and event announcements.