(August 8, 2024) The St. Petersburg City Council voted 5-2 to approve the rezoning request submitted by Onyx+East and Pasadena Community Church. The rezoning will allow the Onyx+East to build 20 single-family homes and 40 townhomes on the 5.2 acres that the church is selling.
The City Council overturned the St. Petersburg Community Planning and Preservation Commission’s 7-0 vote that rejected the rezoning application in May.
The application asked the city to rezone the property as NSM1. That is an abbreviation for “Neighborhood Suburban Multifamily-1”; a designation that allows low-density multifamily structures including townhomes.
The Council’s vote followed four hours of testimony and debate. Neighbors from the Old Pasadena Neighborhood Association strongly opposed the rezoning, saying it threatened the neighborhood’s character. Some Old Pasadena homes were built around the same time as our 99-year-old church itself.
Councilwoman Gina Driscoll said the proposed rezoning was “a very careful density increase.” She added, “It just makes sense.” She said allowing low-density townhomes along with the 20 single-family homes proposed for the “soccer field” property will add “good homes” that the city needs. Driscoll said, “It is a fantastic neighborhood, something very special.” Then she added, “But I don’t think all of this should be single-family homes.” She said, “This is calling out for sensibly increased density.”
Councilman Ed Montonari said considering the city and state’s population growth, “Where are the people going to go?” Reading the application, he said, “What I see seems reasonable.”
Councilman Richie Floyd said, “NSM is the gentlest way to increase density.” Floyd reminded the audience that considering there is commercial property across 1st Avenue South from the two parcels, an applicant might have asked for “more intense zoning, but this is a gentle touch.”
Church leaders told the council that there were bidders for the property who made significant offers but wanted to build hundreds of apartments or condos. Joe Borgia, a church lay leader, said the Building Oversight Committee rejected those offers over concerns about how such projects might impact the neighborhood.
Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders, who has been a loud advocate for more housing in St. Petersburg, called the decision “super, super difficult.” Like other Council members, she was reluctant to overturn a city committee’s decision. Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard said that she would be undecided “until I push the button to vote.” She said she shared concerns about how new construction would affect the character of the area. Both FIggs-Sanders and Gabbard voted in favor of the rezoning.
Councilman Copley Gerdes, who represents the council district that includes the church property and the surrounding neighborhood, opposed the rezoning. Gerdes said he agreed with the Community Planning and Preservation Commission and said he did not agree even with the idea of building the single-family homes that Onyx+East proposed adding, “And that does not even touch the townhomes.” He said, “I love this neighborhood and would move there if I could.”
Several church leaders explained to the Council that Pasadena Community Church faces significant financial pressures and that the church needed to sell the property in order to reduce operating costs and pay for renovations to existing buildings. Councilwoman Lisset Hanewicz explained before voting against rezoning that the council could only consider factors affecting the city’s zoning map and land use plan and “We are not going to consider if the church is in financial distress.”
Onyx+East representatives showed the council graphics of what the developers said the two neighbors adjoining the west end of the property would see once the single-family homes are built.
For the first time, the developers showed the public a concept drawing of the 40 townhomes proposed for the parcel which currently is home to the PCC preschool and thrift mall. The drawing showed five buildings with four townhomes each facing 1st Avenue South and five more facing the church sanctuary.
(Concept drawing presented by Onyx+East)
(Concept drawing presented by Onyx+East)
What’s next
The Council vote allows the developer to move forward to create detailed construction and site plans while church leaders say they must act quickly to hire an architect to begin detailed designs for church renovations. Both processes take months to complete, followed by the complexities of closing on the property sales and obtaining permits to begin work on the sites.
In short, church leaders stress that nothing will change for the PCC Preschool anytime soon, not likely until late 2025 at the earliest. But we will keep you apprised of plans as they develop.
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