Gulfport Planning and Zoning Board Meeting - June 4, 2025

The Gulfport Planning and Zoning Board met on June 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The board approved minutes from a previous meeting, heard a presentation on EAR-based amendments to the 2018 Comprehensive Plan, and elected a chairperson and vice chairperson. No public comments were made.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the meeting held on July 3, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comment.

Discussion Items

• Evaluation and Appraisal Review (EAR)-Based Amendments to the 2018 Comprehensive Plan: Linda Fisher of Forward Pinellas presented the proposed amendments. The amendments are required by state law and include: a new Private Property Rights Element, housekeeping additions to the Future Land Use Element (policies 1.1.9 and 1.8.2), updates to the water supply work plan and capital improvements schedule, and corrections to typographical errors. Fisher noted the plan must be updated every seven years; the city submitted its EAR letter in March 2023 but is behind on adopting the amendments. She explained that the changes are ministerial and do not alter the city’s policy direction. Board members asked about specific policies, including references to the Tampa Bay Regional Transit Authority (no longer exists), outdated advisory committee names, and a mathematical error in flood zone percentages on page A2. Fisher acknowledged the errors and agreed to correct them. A discussion also arose about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and whether they would conflict with the comp plan; Fisher clarified that ADUs are not counted as density increases under the countywide plan, but policy decisions on ADUs would be deferred until after the comp plan adoption. The board then made a motion to recommend approval of the amendments to city council with the corrections discussed.

• Selection of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson: A motion was made and seconded to elect a chairperson and vice chairperson. The board voted unanimously to approve the motion. The transcript indicates Mary (likely Board Member Hanarhan) was recommended and elected to chair, and the vice chair was also elected (no name given).

• Discussion on Board's Role: During other business, board members discussed the role of the Planning and Zoning Board in relation to city council. Deputy City Clerk Hartman explained that the board is advisory and takes direction from council. It was clarified that the board does not initiate policy changes but waits for council direction.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of minutes from July 3, 2024.
• Motion to recommend the EAR-based amendments to city council with corrections. The motion passed unanimously (all ayes, no opposed).
• Election of chairperson and vice chairperson by unanimous vote.
• No formal action on ADUs or other policy changes; these will be addressed after the comp plan adoption in approximately 4–6 months.