Clearwater City Council Meeting - May 21, 2026

The Clearwater City Council met on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, an informational update on Opportunity Zone 2.0, approval of minutes, a consent agenda with one item pulled, public hearings on an easement vacation, a hotel density reserve allocation, a rule amendment to restore public comment, and a contentious citizen initiative petition regarding downtown right-of-way vacations. Council also held second readings on several zoning and annexation ordinances. Significant public testimony was heard on the petition and the hotel project.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 6.1 through 6.9 with the exception of item 6.6 (fire prevention software).
• Item 6.6 was pulled for discussion and approved as amended (reduced cost from $15,910.60 to $15,106.90).
• Items included co-sponsorship of special events, sidewalk project increase, equipment repairs, fire prevention software, overhead crane inspections, sewer point repair, and a supplemental retainer agreement for Bay Esplanade litigation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7.2 (Palm Pavilion Hotel Density Reserve): Several beach residents spoke in opposition to allocating 91 additional hotel density units, citing traffic congestion, infrastructure strain, sewer overflow, loss of historic character, and lack of transparency. Speakers included Neil Diamond, Patrick Raffrey, Teresa Ames, Stephen, and a disabled veteran. The applicant's representative, Katie Cole, defended the project, emphasizing compliance with Beach by Design and willingness to engage with the neighborhood.
• Item 7.3 (Restore Public Comment): Patrick Raffrey, Tony, and others praised the council's decision to extend public comment on non-agenda items, calling it a vital right and urging continued listening.
• Item 7.4 (Citizen Initiative Petition): Over 20 speakers addressed the petition requiring voter approval for vacation of public right-of-way downtown. Most urged the council to reject the clerk's certificate of insufficiency and put the measure on the August ballot. Speakers cited effort of canvassing, concerns about Scientology influence, preservation of public streets, and procedural fairness. Some alleged intimidation or improper rejection of signatures. A small number (e.g., Charles) supported the clerk's determination. Speakers included Jill Gibbs, Todd Moore, Jeffrey Moore, Barbara Sorrelove, Pat Tiemeyer, Fran Heffron, John Wheatman, William Zipper, Janice Basler, Cindy Cash, and others.
• Citizens to Be Heard (Item 9): Rudy Michelak spoke about the need to re-evaluate the hotel density reserve pool and infrastructure capacity. Charles (SBC student) raised concerns about alleged human trafficking and HIPAA violations unrelated to agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations (Items 4.1, 4.2): Council recognized National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) with Betsy Scott of Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-1, who noted 87% of boating fatalities involve no life jacket. Council also proclaimed Code Enforcement Appreciation Week (June 1-5) with Sarah Green.
• Opportunity Zone 2.0 Update (Item 4.3): Christopher Edwards presented an update on the nomination of four census tracts for federal redesignation. The program is now permanent, with a shift from real estate to both real estate and commercial investment. The city has submitted applications to Florida Commerce; final recommendations from the governor expected in July.
• Easement Vacation (Item 7.1): Approved vacating a 20-foot lake drainage utility easement in Clearview Lake Estates with no opposition.
• Palm Pavilion Hotel Density Reserve (Item 7.2): Staff and applicant presented a proposed development agreement for 91 hotel density units at 10 and 18 Bay Esplanade (total 144 units on 1.06 acres). The site includes the existing Palm Pavilion restaurant (to be preserved) and a new 9-story hotel with 75-foot height. Council confirmed a second public hearing for June 4, 2026. Vice Mayor Cotton and Councilmember Manino discussed the process and remaining density units (19 left if allocated). Council voted unanimously to set the second hearing.
• Restore Public Comment (Item 7.3): Council adopted Resolution 26-10, extending the sunset date for citizens to be heard on non-agenda items to August 7, 2026. Approved unanimously.
• Citizen Initiative Petition (Item 7.4): City Clerk Rosemary Cole presented findings: of 8,752 signatures, only 3,023 were valid. Reasons for invalidity included signatures from non-Clearwater voters, mismatched addresses, and forms lacking attached ordinance text. The charter requires 10% of registered voters (approx. 7,100 signatures). Even after reconsideration, the petition remained insufficient. Council members debated the issue. Vice Mayor Cotton and others supported the clerk's determination, arguing the charter must be followed and that making all right-of-way vacations subject to referendum would deter development. Councilmember Alberton noted a vacation does not sell land but vacates a public right-of-way over private property. Councilmember Manino emphasized the integrity of the process. Mayor Rector stated he sought to find a way to count more signatures but could not overcome the inactive voter issue. Council voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the clerk's certificate of insufficiency, effectively rejecting the petition.
• Second Readings (Items 8.1-8.7): All seven ordinances were approved unanimously:
  • 8.1: Land use change from Residential Urban to Residential Medium at 2446 Nursery Road.
  • 8.2-8.4: Annexation and zoning of 2448 Nursery Road (disabled residential facility); Councilmember Alberton asked about awareness of the facility; no other public comment.
  • 8.5-8.7: Annexation and zoning of unaddressed parcel on Sunset Point Road as Residential Urban and Low Medium Density Residential.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved all items except 6.6, which was approved as amended.
• Proclamations: Approved for National Safe Boating Week and Code Enforcement Appreciation Week.
• Opportunity Zone Update: Received by council; submitted to state, awaiting July decision.
• Easement Vacation (Ordinance 9881-26): Approved on first reading.
• Palm Pavilion Hotel Density Reserve: Council directed staff to proceed with a second public hearing on June 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM to consider the development agreement and allocation of 91 density units. No vote on the allocation tonight.
• Public Comment Restoration (Resolution 26-10): Adopted unanimously, extending public comment on non-agenda items through August 7, 2026.
• Citizen Initiative Petition: Approved the city clerk's certificate of insufficiency, finding the petition did not meet charter requirements. The measure will not go to the ballot.
• Second Readings: All seven ordinances (9864-26, 9890-26 through 9895-26) adopted unanimously.