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Pinellas Park approves first reading to reclassify health spas, create health club and fitness-class rules
Summary
On first reading the council approved Ordinance 4280 to remove "health spas" from certain zoning districts, define "health clubs" and "fitness classes," set parking at one space per 200 sq ft, and impose buffers and outdoor-hours limits; staff and Planning & Zoning recommended approval and a resident asked for stricter outdoor-hour limits.
The Pinellas Park City Council voted on first reading to adopt Ordinance 4280 (LDC case LC-0624), which removes “health spas” as a separate use in several zoning districts and creates distinct definitions and regulations for health clubs and fitness classes.
Megan Montesino, the city’s development review manager, told the council the ordinance defines fitness classes as "facility offering class-based fitness programs" and health clubs as indoor membership-based facilities that may include exercise equipment, classes and ancillary amenities. Staff recommended approval, and the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended the same.
Key regulatory changes in the ordinance include: removing Health Spas as a permitted use in certain districts; making Fitness classes a conditional use in specified districts; establishing a proposed parking requirement of one space per 200 square feet of gross floor area; requiring a 10-foot landscape buffer with a six-foot solid fence adjacent to residential zoning; and limiting outdoor activity hours to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
A resident, Gary, questioned whether the 10 p.m. outdoor cutoff should be shortened on weekend nights, noting potential noise impacts for neighbors. Montesino said the conditional-use review process and the city’s noise ordinance allow staff or council to impose stricter conditions if needed.
Council member Ricky Butler moved the ordinance, and after a second the motion carried; the transcript records the motion carried unanimously at first reading. The ordinance will return for additional readings and any required final actions under the city code.
No amendment or change to city code fees was reported in this hearing; the ordinance primarily clarifies use definitions, parking and buffer requirements.
