St. Pete Beach City Commission Meeting - March 9, 2026

The St. Pete Beach City Commission met on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The agenda included final readings of ordinances on parking fees and small wireless facility design standards, presentations on seawall code updates and a parking rate study, and a discussion on the proposed "Country Thunder" event. Major themes included balancing resident safety, environmental protection, and infrastructure resilience against legal risks and economic benefits.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the February 24, 2026 meeting minutes, the Fiscal Year 2026 Compensation Pay Plan, and an amendment with Cotton Global Disaster Solutions for Don Vista Art Center repairs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Small Wireless Facilities: Multiple residents (including Lauren Monas, Kelly Lee McFedrick, Roger Hood, Dean and Nancy Lurker, John Kurzman, Kathy Garshau) spoke strongly in favor of the citizen-proposed 40-foot setback and 500-foot separation requirements for small wireless facilities in rights-of-way. Arguments centered on the risk of poles falling on dwellings, aesthetic blight, negative impacts on property values, and health concerns regarding 5G radiation. Several speakers criticized utility company neglect of existing infrastructure.
• Seawalls: Residents highlighted issues such as regulating historic docks, commercial property compliance, homes without existing seawalls, and the need for cost-effective solutions and backfill requirements. The Don Vista Place property owners board expressed strong support for the temporary waiver of permit fees for seawalls abutting city rights-of-way.
• Parking: A resident expressed support for passing credit card fees onto users, stating the public is accustomed to it.

Discussion Items

• Small Wireless Facilities (Ordinance 2026-03):
  • Scott McCullough (residents' attorney) argued for a mandatory 40-foot setback from dwelling units and a 500-foot minimum separation distance, citing safety, aesthetics, and legal justifications under concealment provisions. Matt Mochi (AT&T) stated opposition, claiming the proposal violates state statute.
  • City Attorney Brooks advised that a rigid 500-foot separation distance explicitly contradicts state statute's prohibition on minimum separation distances for small wireless facilities, creating a high litigation and attorney-fee risk for the city. He recommended against a fixed minimum. Commissioner Maldonado used a measuring tape to physically demonstrate the inadequacy of a 30-foot setback against a 40-foot pole.
  • The commission ultimately voted 4-1 (Vice Mayor Marriott dissenting) to adopt the ordinance with modifications including a 40-foot setback from dwellings and a 500-foot separation requirement enforced "where possible and technically feasible."
• Seawall Code Updates (Presentation):
  • Building Official Luke Curtis presented potential code modifications for administrative seawall height variances, discussing challenges with pre/post-FIRM structures, stormwater mitigation, and requiring provisions for future height upgrades.
  • Commissioners generally supported directing staff to draft language requiring engineered caps for future upgrades, creating a financial hardship threshold (e.g., 20% of structure value) for stormwater mitigation exceptions, enforcing compliance for new construction, and establishing an appeal process for variance denials.
• Parking Rate Study (Presentation):
  • Staff presented a la carte revenue options: a $0.50/hr increase, credit card fee pass-through, sunset and seasonal surges, and higher holiday flat fees. A morning rate reduction was also proposed but was not supported by the Finance and Budget Review Committee.
  • Commissioners supported drafting a resolution aligned with most committee recommendations (rate increases). Commissioner Maldonado requested an analysis comparing holiday flat-fee revenue to hourly pricing to mitigate impacts on Pass-a-Grille businesses, favoring hourly rates. The proposal to lower morning rates was not pursued.
• Country Thunder (Discussion Item):
  • Commissioner Maldonado initiated a discussion on the proposed large music festival. Commissioner Robinson strongly opposed its timing during sea turtle and black skimmer nesting season, calling it hypocritical given the city's environmental policies. Commissioner Resnicki echoed environmental and parking concerns, noting the city had not been formally included in the state permitting process. A consensus emerged against the proposed beach location and timing.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2026-02 (Parking Fees by Resolution): Adopted unanimously on final reading, allowing the commission to set parking fees by resolution.
• Ordinance 2026-03 (Small Wireless Facilities): Adopted 4-1, modified to include a 40-foot dwelling setback and a 500-foot facility separation "where possible and technically feasible."
• Resolution 2026-06 (Duke Energy Easement): Approved unanimously, granting a 10x10 ft utility easement at Pump Station 1.
• Resolution 2026-05 (Seawall Permit Fee Waiver): Approved unanimously, temporarily waiving building permit and plans examination fees for private seawall permits adjoining city rights-of-way for two years, amended to be retroactive to Hurricane Helene.
• Parking Rates: Staff was directed to draft a resolution* implementing most rate increases, with further analysis on the impact of the holiday flat fee on local businesses requested before adoption.
• Seawall Code: Staff was directed to draft code amendments incorporating future upgrade provisions for seawalls receiving variances, a financial hardship threshold for stormwater mitigation, requirements for new construction, and an appeal process for variance decisions.