(April 10, 2024) St. Petersburg Urban Planning Director Derek Kilborne spent nearly two hours answering questions about zoning changes from people who live in South Pasadena, the neighborhood in which Pasadena Community Church is located.
Kilborne explained the process that the city and county will use to consider changing the current zoning for the two parcels Pasadena Community Church is selling from NT3 (Neighborhood Traditional) to NSM1 (Neighborhood Suburban Multi-Family) zoning.
Kilborne explained that the process already has a schedule:
May 7th-The urban planning staff completes a report including recommendations for approval by the Community Planning and Preservation Commission. The recommendation will be posted here on PCCForward as soon as it becomes public.
May 14th, 2p.m.-The Community Planning and Preservation Commission hears testimony from the applicant (Onyx+East and PCC) as well as a representative who might oppose the zoning change. There will also be time for other comments who are not official representatives of the two listed parties. The Commission votes and the recommendation, which usually follows staff recommendations, go to the city council for consideration. Kilborne said typically, the city council votes to affirm commission decisions.
June 6th, 5p.m.-First reading in front of the city council. This is mostly a formality where the zoning application is “read into” the public record. No testimony will occur.
July 11th, 5p.m.-The City Council holds a hearing on the application. The Council hears from the city staff, then from the applicant and from others who may have concerns about the change. The City Council then votes. If the Council approves, then the city applies to the Pinellas County government to alter the countywide plan map.
September 11th-The Countywide Planning Authority votes to alter the county map.
October 15- Pinellas County Board of Commissioners final vote
Kilborne explained that the zoning change that is being proposed is typical of how developers usually approach construction, building low-density multi-family homes closest to the existing commercial properties (for instance on 1st Avenue South), then building single-family homes closer to other single-family homes in the neighborhood.
Kilborne also explained that even without a zoning change, the developer could build 52 home units plus accessory dwellings which is comparable to the 60 units the developer is planning for the two parcels.
The meeting also included a presentation from Dean Hay, St. Petersburg’s Senior Urban Forester, who answered questions about whether a developer could remove trees without approval. Hay explained that St. Petersburg does regulate tree removal and “requires replacement” of trees that are removed during development. The city has special requirements for approval of the removal of “signature” and “grand tree” species. Here is a description of such trees from the city’s website:
If there are Protected, Grand, or Signature trees within 15 feet of the proposed construction, on the property, or on adjacent property, then the trees need to be shown on the site plan, by size and species. If tree removal is proposed, or a Grand tree requires trimming of a branch 8” in diameter or greater, a permit will be required. View the Protected, Grand, and Signature Tree Informational Handout.
- Protected: Any shade tree 4” or larger in diameter at breast height (DBH, as measured 4 ½ feet above ground); any understory tree which is 8” or larger DBH.
- Grand: Any code-protected tree that is 30 inches in diameter DBH or larger, except for Laurel Oaks. Grand Trees are afforded a higher level of protection and need to be preserved.
- Signature: This is a category of non-native trees which due to the size, prevalence, and history in the local community warrant recognition and protection. This includes Banyan trees, Kapok trees that are 30” or larger DBH, and Jacaranda trees, and Royal Poinciana trees that are 8” or larger DBH.
“Diameter at breast height,” or DBH, is the standard for measuring trees. DBH refers to the tree diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground.
pccforward.org 