Pinellas Park council approves updates to temporary-use and subdivision rules, advances major PUD amendment

Pinellas Park city council on April 7 approved multiple updates to the city’s land‑development code and advanced a commercial‑development amendment, while also approving routine consent items and swearing in two new officers.

The council unanimously passed Ordinance 2026‑10 on its second and final reading, updating temporary‑use regulations in Article 15 of the Land Development Code to remove duplicates, add permitted temporary uses (bazaars, block parties, food‑truck rallies, seasonal sales and similar events), set most temporary uses at a seven‑day maximum (30 days for seasonal sales), and require a single annual permit for recurring events. Planner Michael Kurley told the council the code change increases the application window to 30 days, adds business‑tax‑receipt and ADA language and requires alcohol licensing where applicable. "We updated the duration of temp uses… and reoccurring events such as weekly markets require one permit per year," Kurley said.

The council also unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026‑11, which amends subdivision provisions to comply with recent state legislation requiring administrative plat processing. Senior planner Todd Byron said the amendments remove references requiring council approval of subdivision plats and designate the city manager as the administrative signatory. "Those proposed changes… are largely being brought forward to comply with state legislation that required that subdivision plats be processed and approved administratively," Byron said.

On a related land‑use item, the council held the first reading on Ordinance 2026‑12 to update regulations governing state‑licensed residential facilities, including certified recovery residences, community residential homes and other licensed care facilities. Planning coordinator Kira Brown said the ordinance aligns city definitions with state law, establishes administrative or conditional‑use review pathways and sets a reasonable‑accommodation process consistent with federal and state requirements. The council approved the first reading unanimously.

Council members also advanced Ordinance 2026‑13, a revised master plan for a 66.602‑acre commercial planned unit development at 7200 U.S. Highway 19 N. The item was heard on first reading; the applicant, Christian Yepus, made brief remarks in support of the submittal. Council member Seville moved to pass the ordinance at first reading; the motion carried 4–1 with Mayor Sandra Lee Bradberry abstaining after disclosing a conflict related to her employer.

Routine business included approval of the March 24 regular‑meeting minutes and unanimous approval of consent items C1–C6, which covered a resignation/appointment, purchases and engineering authorizations for trail and stormwater projects and HVAC replacement at the Forbes Recreation Center.

The meeting opened with a brief presentation from public works on parks and playground safety, the swearing‑in of two new police officers and recognition of several employees; those ceremonial items were presented before the council took legislative action. The council adjourned after brief member comments and community announcements.

What happens next: Ordinance 2026‑13 will return for its required subsequent hearing(s) under the city's procedures; Ordinance 2026‑10 and 2026‑11 are effective per their enactment language. The city will post public notices for any upcoming hearings and required administrative steps associated with the PUD amendment and other ordinance implementation.