St. Petersburg City Council Meeting – May 14, 2026

The St. Petersburg City Council met on May 14, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including a National Nurses Week proclamation, updates from Tampa International Airport, discussions on the Mahaffey Theater transition, approval of new rules for Albert Whitted Airport, a quasi-judicial appeal of a 619-unit multifamily development, and the adoption of a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) overlay for the Sunrunner BRT corridor. Council Members Gabbard (District 2) and Hanowitz (District 4) were absent for most of the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (with Gabbard and Hanowitz absent):
  • CB 20: Amendment extending BDO's government services contract for disaster recovery. Several residents raised concerns about BDO's award calculation accuracy and compliance. Administration noted only 7 appeals out of 2,500 applications and that HUD concurred with the city's analysis.
  • CA7: Contract with STEM Exposure to operate the Genius Lab after-school program at Enoch Davis Center, offering STEM careers exposure.
  • Other routine consent items.

Awards & Presentations

• National Nurses Week Proclamation (D1): Councilmember Gurtis presented the proclamation honoring nurses. Remarks from hospital leaders and council members highlighted the compassion and dedication of nurses. The week of May 6–12, 2026 was proclaimed National Nurses Week.
• Tampa International Airport Update (F1): CEO Michael Stevens presented the Airside D project (Q1 2029 completion), noting 27% of airport travelers come from St. Petersburg. He discussed regional connectivity, Spirit Airlines' impact (minimal due to market diversification), workforce pipelines with St. Pete College, and advanced air mobility plans with Albert Whitted Airport. Council members praised the airport's efficiency and customer service.

Discussion Items

• Mahaffey Theater Resolution (F2) – Pulled by Councilmember Driscoll: The resolution authorized the city to assume leasing and service contracts after Big Three Entertainment's early termination. Driscoll proposed an amendment to prioritize the Florida Orchestra, citing their uncertain lease status for 2026–2027. After discussion, the council approved the resolution as amended (unanimously with Gabbard and Hanowitz absent), directing administration to work toward a direct agreement with the Florida Orchestra.
• Albert Whitted Airport Rules & Minimum Standards (F3) – Pulled by Chair Hanowitz: Resolution adopting new rules and minimum standards for the airport, updated for federal compliance. Public speakers from Coastal Flight expressed initial concerns but later supported after staff clarified that existing operators are grandfathered and that the new standards would accommodate their proposed flight school. The resolution passed unanimously (Gabbard and Hanowitz absent).
• New Business – Permitting Process (G1): Councilmember Driscoll requested referral to the Public Services & Infrastructure Committee to explore one-day permits for small residential projects and 365-day annual facility permits for routine commercial projects, modeled after Miami's program. Referred unanimously (Gabbard and Hanowitz absent).
• New Business – Ever Forward Youth Programming (G2): Councilmember Gurtis requested referral to the Youth & Family Services Committee for a presentation from Ever Forward on youth programming and community impact. Referred unanimously (Gabbard and Hanowitz absent).

Quasi-Judicial Appeal: 619-Unit Multifamily Development (J4)

• Appeal by Frank Guerrera (Altus Cardinal/Skytown LLC) of DRC approval for a 619-unit multifamily project at 3232 34th Street South (Skyway Marina District).
• Appellant arguments: The project violates RC1 zoning impervious surface ratio (pond should count as impervious, making ratio 81% vs. 75% max) and the Skyway Marina District Plan (no retail provided).
• Applicant response (Coulter): The project meets all code requirements, no variances needed; the pond is pervious as designed; the Skyway Marina Plan is a non-binding vision; the project provides needed market-rate housing at rents $300–500 lower than nearby podium projects.
• Staff and DRC recommendation: Deny appeal; project complies with all standards.
• Council vote: Motion to grant the appeal failed 1–6 (only Councilmember Fig Sanders voted yes). The appeal was denied, upholding the DRC approval.

Public Hearings

• Transit-Oriented Development Overlay (J3) – Sunrunner BRT Corridor: Ordinance creating a TOD overlay with increased density, reduced parking minimums, and design standards. After public comment (support from many residents and business owners; concerns from some about parking spillover into neighborhoods), the council voted to approve the ordinance as presented (unanimous with Harding temporarily absent). Council also approved a referral (passed unanimously, Harding absent) to the Housing, Land Use & Transportation Committee to explore expanding FAR consistency across Grand Central District and other TOD-related refinements.
• Other ordinances passed unanimously:
  • J1: Grant agreement for taxiway rehabilitation at Albert Whitted Airport.
  • J2: Amending Chapter 6 of city code for aviation to comply with state and federal law.

Key Outcomes

• Mahaffey Theater: Resolution approved with amendment directing administration to negotiate directly with the Florida Orchestra.
• Albert Whitted Airport: New rules and minimum standards adopted.
• Skyway Marina District appeal: Denied; 619-unit project moves forward.
• Sunrunner TOD Overlay: Adopted; additional discussion on FAR consistency referred to committee.
• Future items: Discussion on expanded low-impact development (green infrastructure, tree canopy) will be taken up by the Public Services & Infrastructure Committee or Housing, Land Use & Transportation Committee as part of the TOD follow-up.