St. Pete Beach City Commission Meeting - November 3, 2025

The St. Pete Beach City Commission convened on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM to discuss a wide-ranging agenda. Key topics included the results of a comprehensive citywide parking study, redevelopment concepts for the Town Center 2 (TC-2 Coquina West) district, the demolition of the historically designated Shuffleboard Building, and a detailed plan by the Mayor to address an estimated $200 million in infrastructure needs.

Call to Order, Roll Call, and Agenda Amendments

Mayor Adrian Petrila called the meeting to order with all commissioners present. The agenda was amended to add a consent item (a financial services contract with Sheila Dalton not to exceed $50,000), and three discussion items: Standards of Conduct and Civility (Commissioner Maldonado), Economic Development (Vice Mayor Marriott), and Infrastructure and Revenue (Mayor Petrila). The amended agenda was approved 5-0.

Presentations

Parking Study Results Assistant City Manager Adam Poirrier introduced Julie Dixon of Dixon Resources Unlimited. Data was collected via license plate recognition and drone imagery. The online survey received 658 responses. The study found that paid parking spaces achieve faster turnover than free spaces. Recommendations included pursuing shared-parking agreements, implementing demand-based pricing (potential revenue increase of $300,000 to $800,000 annually), modernizing enforcement technology, increasing citation fines, and introducing a residential parking permit program. Commissioners questioned the aggregation of data, noting that including heavily residential areas lowered overall occupancy averages. Commissioner Maldonado expressed concern for volunteer safety regarding the proposed "parking ambassador" role. Consensus supported exploring shared parking agreements, higher fines, and data-driven pricing, but stressed the need for more community input from businesses on Corey Avenue and 8th Avenue.

TC-2 Town Center Corey Circle Community Forum Follow-Up Senior Planner Brandon Berry presented a follow-up to the October 9th community forum (40-50 attendees) regarding redevelopment in TC-2 Coquina West. Community feedback supported allowing standalone multifamily residential, lower building heights (3-4 stories), and elevating commercial space above the floodplain. Staff outlined five concepts, including extending the Town Center Core west, partial rezoning, and easing nonconformity restrictions. Commission discussion favored a blend of these concepts. There was strong support for preserving existing workforce housing and using multifamily as a buffer between commercial and single-family zones.

Public Comments & Testimony

On the Parking Study:

• Amy Auerbach (46th Ave, Lido Beach Civic Association) opposed establishing a parking lot at the Plaza Beach Hotel property, citing code violations, flooding concerns, and proximity to a children's park. She questioned the need for more parking given the study's 37% average occupancy rate.
• Ronald Vigneault (Gulf Way) spoke in favor of allowing homeowners to rent their private driveways for a fee as an overflow solution once public parking is full.
• Lauren Mones (Gulf Way) described severe parking shortages in Pass-a-Grille and requested the city allow residents to rent their driveways to visitors, rather than adding more technology.
• John Kurzman (Bahia Honda Way) suggested purpose-based, validated parking on Corey Avenue and designating short-term resident-only parking near playgrounds.

On TC-2 Zoning:

• Bill Thompson (76th Ave) supported allowing residential use on both sides of 76th Street to allow property owners to lawfully rebuild, suggesting adding "or multifamily residential" to the existing zoning and slightly lowering the acreage assemblage requirement.

General and Other Comments:

• John Kurzman raised concerns about expanding residential uses on Corey Avenue, citing a realtor.com sound map showing high noise levels. He also requested the city remain aware of legal public beach access rights.
• Bill Loughery (Pass-a-Grille Way, Historic Preservation Board) supported demolishing the Shuffleboard Clubhouse but urged the Commission to evaluate relocating a historic 100-year-old home from 24th Avenue to the site as a replacement.

Action Items

5a. Collaboration on Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan Representatives from the National Wildlife Federation presented the four-year, $2 million grant-funded regional resiliency initiative. The Commission unanimously authorized (5-0) collaboration, designating the City Manager as liaison.

5b. Resolution 2025-25: Demolition of the Shuffleboard Building The building was deemed 100% substantially damaged. A low rebuild bid of ~$192,000 was received versus a low demolition bid of ~$8,000. Both the Historic Preservation Board and FEMA recommended demolition. Following public comment, the Commission expressed support for exploring the relocation of a historic home to the site. The resolution authorizing demolition was approved unanimously (5-0).

5c. Resolution 2025-26: Administrative Authority for Plats and Replats City Attorney Ralf Brookes stated this resolution is required by a new state statute that designates the City Manager as the administrative authority, eliminating public hearings. The Commission expressed strong disappointment with the state's infringement on home rule but approved the resolution 5-0. Consensus directed the City Manager to notify commissioners of all applications and to maintain a public list on the city website.

5d. Acceptance of the Substantial Damage Administrative Procedures (SDAP) Plan Building Official Luke Curtis presented the plan as a flexible, evolving framework for responding to building damage after a disaster. The plan was unanimously accepted (5-0).

Items for Discussion

6a. Standards of Conduct and Civility Commissioner Maldonado introduced a proposed framework for fostering mutual respect and trust among elected and appointed officials. The Commission agreed to review the materials and revisit the discussion in January 2026.

6b. Economic Development Vice Mayor Marriott initiated a discussion on potentially establishing a more formal economic development function to help connect landowners, entrepreneurs, and available properties, particularly following the hurricanes. Staff has begun benchmarking with Pinellas County Economic Development. The City Manager will evaluate options and report back during the next budget cycle.

6c. Infrastructure and Revenue Mayor Petrila presented a seven-part plan to address the ~$200 million infrastructure need without raising resident taxes. The plan includes: an Island Access Fee (toll), parking revenue enhancements, a CRA, a commercial parking assessment, grants, and TDT recapture. Commissioner Marriott expressed strong concern that a toll could deter visitors and harm the business community, citing high tolls elsewhere. Commissioner Robinson supported the idea, referencing Treasure Island's successful use of a toll bridge. Legal questions about the city's authority over Gulf Boulevard were raised. The Commission agreed to have the City Attorney provide an initial memo on the feasibility of the access fee by January 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Parking: Staff will return with phased proposals focusing on shared parking, increased fines, and demand-based pricing. Changes to Corey Avenue and 8th Avenue require further public input.
• TC-2 Zoning: Staff will refine a mix of concepts allowing standalone multifamily residential, lower heights, and commercial retention, while preserving workforce housing. A further community workshop will be scheduled.
• Coastal Master Plan: Approved 5-0.
• Shuffleboard Building: Demolition approved 5-0 with a directive to evaluate moving a historic home to the site.
• Plat/Replat Authority: Approved 5-0 with transparency directives for commissioner notification and a public listing.
• SDAP Plan: Accepted 5-0.
• Standards of Conduct: Discussion deferred to January 2026.
• Economic Development: Staff will explore options for the next budget cycle.
• Infrastructure Plan: Generally received for discussion; City Attorney to provide a memo on the feasibility of the Island Access Fee by January 2026.