Clearwater Community Development Board Meeting – August 20, 2026

The Community Development Board (CDB) met on August 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the City of Clearwater Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. The board approved the minutes from the July 21, 2026 meeting. No citizens addressed the board on non-agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• FLD2009-02002B: Flexible Development approval for a medical clinic (radiology building) at 2650 Landmark Drive. Approved unanimously.
• FLD2026-03007: Flexible Development approval for a storage, warehouse, and distribution facility at 706 N. Missouri Avenue. Approved unanimously.
• FLD2026-02005 was removed from the consent agenda and heard as a regular item.

Public Comments & Testimony (for FLD2026-02005)

• Carolyn Rodi (304 S. Mars Ave.) – Adjacent property owner and resident. Expressed concerns about noise, traffic, lack of sidewalks, and the project’s compatibility with the residential neighborhood. Noted that 150 people signed a petition in opposition. Questioned whether the project qualified as a Comprehensive Infill Redevelopment.
• Lisa Caterino (306 S. Mars Ave.) – Bedroom 130 feet from proposed vacuum area. Described the noise as potentially relentless, citing examples from other communities. Urged the board not to rely solely on the sound study, as compliance on paper may not match real-life impact.
• Charlene Welsh (312 S. Mars Ave.) – Lives in a ground-level efficiency apartment immediately adjacent to the site. Questioned whether the sound model accurately represented her apartment’s location. Concerned about the six-foot barrier wall enclosing her living area and increased vehicle activity.
• Daniel Jeffery (300 S. Saturn Ave.) – Property owner and chairman of a nonprofit. Argued the application is a car wash, not a true comprehensive infill project. Raised concerns about pedestrian safety, water usage during a modified Phase 3 extreme water shortage, and the lack of community support. Cited 150 petition signatures.
• Fred Jeffery (300 S. Saturn Ave.) – Co-owner of the building. Emphasized lack of sidewalks on Saturn and Mars, and that traffic from the car wash would force vehicles through quiet residential streets, disrupting the “quiet and peaceable life” of neighbors.
• Afroom Seriani (owner of Sunshine College) – Owns two car washes in Clearwater. Opposed adding another car wash 200 feet from an existing one, noting 17 car washes already in the city. Stated that car washes operate 12-15 hours daily with noise, music, and vacuum activity.
• Ann Harmon (Pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church) – Supported the project. Stated the church prioritized a development that would benefit the neighborhood, provide jobs, and be a good neighbor. Praised Woody’s community involvement and commitment to hiring locally.
• Jackson Bacchus (speaking for Half-Less Sunshine) – Shared firsthand experience with noise complaints at another car wash location, noting traffic backups during events.

Discussion Items

• FLD2026-02005 – Woody’s Wash Shack Car Wash at 407 S. Saturn Avenue:
  • Staff Presentation (Austin Dole, planner): The site is three parcels zoned commercial, currently home to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The proposal is for a limited vehicle service (car wash) as a Comprehensive Infill Redevelopment Project. The car wash building would be 32.6 feet tall (requesting flexibility for height, use, and setbacks). The site plan includes 24 self-service vacuum stations, a 10-foot landscape buffer, a six-foot fence for noise mitigation, and hours of operation 7:30 AM–7:30 PM Mon–Sat, 8:30 AM–7:30 PM Sun. Staff recommended approval based on compatibility with surrounding commercial corridor and mitigation measures.
  • Applicant Presentation (Peter Pensa, AICP certified planner): Woody’s is a locally owned and operated car wash chain with 85,000+ active members. The traffic study was based on worst-case scenarios (including potential future coffee shop on adjacent parcel). The sound study by BAC showed that with mitigation (sound-dampening materials, screening wall, fence), noise levels at the nearest property line would be 50.6 dB, within the existing ambient range of 49–55 dB. The applicant agreed to staff’s conditions for sound mitigation.
  • Board Discussion:
    • Several board members questioned the tunnel orientation relative to Gulf-to-Bay, noting a code requirement that tunnels be parallel to the abutting street. Staff clarified that the project is a Comprehensive Infill Redevelopment, which is a separate use with different criteria, and the code provision does not apply. The board accepted this interpretation.
    • Concerns about traffic safety on Saturn and Mars Avenues, lack of sidewalks, and pedestrian safety were raised. The board requested a recess to discuss potential additional conditions.
    • After a 10-minute recess, staff proposed three additional conditions: (1) on-site signage per MUTCD standards addressing safety concerns; (2) directional signage and pavement markings directing traffic to Gulf-to-Bay; (3) sidewalk extensions to Rainbow Drive along Saturn and Mars, if feasible and to the satisfaction of Public Works. The applicant accepted these conditions.
  • Vote: Motion to approve FLD2026-02005 with the staff conditions and the three additional conditions. Passed unanimously (all in favor).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (Consent Agenda): FLD2009-02002B and FLD2026-03007.
• Approved (Regular Item): FLD2026-02005 (Woody’s Wash Shack) with conditions, including three additional conditions for signage, traffic direction, and sidewalk extensions.
• Next Meeting: No September 2026 meeting. The next scheduled CDB meeting is in October 2026, likely at the new City Hall. The board will receive a proclamation declaring October 2026 Community Planning Month at the October 1 City Council meeting.
• Board Member Announcement: Chair will present to the Clearwater Neighborhood Coalition on September 14, 2026, explaining the CDB process, party status, and expert testimony.