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Neighbors press drainage and infrastructure concerns as developer withdraws 14‑lot rezoning in Pinellas Park
Summary
The council heard a staff presentation on a request to rezone about 3.41 acres at 11227 60th St. N to R3/PUD for 14 single‑family lots. Neighbors warned the council the area already floods; the applicant said required drainage and sewer studies would be completed and then formally withdrew the application for redesign.
The Pinellas Park City Council held a quasi‑judicial hearing on a rezoning and PUD proposal for 11227 60th Street North that would have rezoned about 3.41 acres from rural residential (RR) to R3 with a residential planned unit development overlay to create 14 single‑family lots.
Senior Planner Bob Bernhard told the council staff’s findings support the requested map amendment as consistent with the comprehensive plan and Land Development Code, subject to conditions including a sanitary‑sewer study and any needed lift‑station upgrades. He also noted that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial at its December meeting.
Neighbors said the area already experiences frequent flooding and warned that elevating and developing the site would worsen drainage on adjacent properties. Lisa Ferguson, who lives directly north of the site, read a written statement into the record describing recurring flooding, concerns about a nearby retention pond that runs high in the dry season, and uncertainty that post‑construction drainage would protect adjacent homes. Joseph (last name as spoken) told council the parcel already becomes a lake when it rains and said traffic and stormwater impacts are mounting as multiple nearby subdivisions are built.
The applicant, represented by Kush Kahi of Northside Engineering and property owner Bruce (surname in record), said drainage calculations, Swift Mud review and city staff review would ensure the project meets code, and that the developer would exceed applicable standards and coordinate any required lift‑station upgrades. Kahi said traffic and drainage consultants had been engaged and that required plans and studies would be submitted.
After extended discussion — during which multiple council members, including Vice Mayor Seil and Councilwoman Patty Reed, expressed concern about lot density and infrastructure impacts — the applicant said they would withdraw the application to rework the plan. The applicant confirmed a formal written withdrawal would be submitted so the matter would not be voted on that night.
The council did not vote on the rezoning; the hearing concluded after the applicant’s withdrawal. The applicant said they planned to reconfigure the project and return for a future hearing.
Key technical points and clarifications offered in the hearing: the parcels are in flood zone X (lower flood risk classification per staff), the proposed development would introduce private internal roads and privately maintained utilities other than potable water, and staff identified a condition requiring a sanitary sewer/lift‑station study and possible upgrades as part of any approval.
Next steps: The applicant will submit a written withdrawal and may return with a revised application at a future council meeting. Residents asked staff to ensure future submissions include full drainage plans and evidence of Swift Mud and sanitary‑sewer compliance.
