Gulfport Planning and Zoning Board Meeting - July 3, 2024

The Gulfport Planning and Zoning Board met on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall. The board considered two applications related to the Sunflower School property at 2624 54th Street South: a subdivision replat (SR24-02) and a conditional use permit (C24-01). After discussion and a reconsideration vote, the board unanimously recommended approval of both to City Council.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the minutes from the February 7, 2024 meeting (no discussion recorded).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public comment period for agenda or non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Subdivision Application (SR24-02): The applicant, represented by David Ottinger (101 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa), sought to subdivide one parcel consisting of four lots of record (Lots 81, 83, 85, 87, Veteran City) into two parcels. The property currently houses Sunflower School and a former preschool (now owned by Quickshaft USA LLC). The subdivision would create an L-shaped parcel for Sunflower School (85 feet wide at 54th Street, 175 feet deep in rear, 120 feet along alley, 240 feet adjacent to 29th Avenue) and a smaller rectangular parcel for Quickshaft (90 feet by 80-120 feet, 10,799 square feet). Variances were requested: a 13-foot front setback variance and 5.2-foot rear setback variance for Sunflower, a 15.5-foot rear setback variance for Quickshaft, and a parking variance to allow continued use of on-street parking without providing on-site parking (the property currently requires 8 parking spaces but has none on-site). City staff noted the buildings were originally constructed in 1958 and 1963. The board initially voted to approve, but after confusion about whether parking variances were included, Board Member Gonzalez Hastings requested reconsideration. The board voted 5-0 to reconsider, then voted again to recommend approval with the condition that the final plat be filed within 90 days of City Council approval, otherwise the lots revert to one parcel.
• Conditional Use Application (C24-01): The same applicants sought a conditional use permit to allow continued operation of schools on the property without the church (the church dissolved in 2022). City staff explained that the conditional use is required because the principal use was the church with the school as an accessory use. The board discussed that two separate applications existed (one for each parcel) but the city presented them as one. Board Member Cowan expressed concern about issuing a single conditional use for two separate properties owned by different entities, especially since the Quickshaft parcel is up for sale. The applicant's attorney clarified that both owners had filed applications. After debate, the board voted to recommend approval with the condition that applicants submit appropriate business tax receipts and building permits within one year of City Council approval, otherwise the conditional use expires.

Key Outcomes

• Subdivision (SR24-02): Approved unanimously (5-0) to recommend approval to City Council with condition: final plat must be filed within 90 days of City Council approval, otherwise the lots revert to one parcel. The vote included all variances discussed (setback and parking).
• Conditional Use (C24-01): Approved unanimously (5-0) to recommend approval to City Council with condition: business tax receipts and building permits must be submitted within one year, otherwise conditional use expires.
• The board noted that the parking variance allows continued use of on-street parking on the city right-of-way. The owner of the Quickshaft parcel agreed to remove unauthorized "no parking" signs from the city right-of-way that had been placed by a former tenant.
• The board also noted that the December 2023 meeting minutes were not posted on the website despite being approved in February 2024; the city clerk was asked to follow up.