SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Future Land Use Map Amendment from the Institutional (I) category to the Commercial General (CG) category for 407 South Saturn Avenue and pass Ordinance 9765-24 on first reading. (LUP2024-02001)
Body
SUMMARY:
This Future Land Use Map Amendment involves three parcels of land totaling 2.284-acres located on the northeast corner of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and South Saturn Avenue. The applicant, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Inc., is requesting to amend the future land use category of the property from Institutional (I) to Commercial General (CG). The applicant has indicated that the property will be used for a future commercial use, but no site plans have been submitted at this time. A Zoning Atlas Amendment application (REZ2024-02001) is being processed concurrently with this case.
The subject property is currently occupied with a place of worship (church) and associated parking. The church has occupied this property since at least 1957, when the earliest structure, located on the northwest corner of the larger parcel fronting Gulf to Bay Boulevard, was constructed. The church expanded in 1958 with the construction of the two-story structure east of the original building, and then with the construction of the third structure currently fronting Gulf to Bay Boulevard in 1970. These three buildings contain just over 25,000 square feet of building area.
The existing Institutional (I) category has a maximum density of 12.5 dwelling units per acre and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.65. The proposed Commercial General (CG) category has a maximum density of 24 units per acre, a maximum overnight accommodation (hotel) density of 40 units per acre, and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.55. The proposed amendment would allow the property to have a consistent future land use category of Commercial General (CG) with the remaining block and surrounding area and allow for the development of the property with a commercial use, consistent with uses in the area.
The Planning and Development Department has determined that the proposed future land use amendment is consistent with the provisions of the Clearwater Community Development Code as specified below:
• The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Countywide Plan Rules.
• The proposed amendment is compatible with the surrounding properties and character of the neighborhood.
• Sufficient public facilities are available to serve the property.
• The proposed amendment will not have an adverse impact on the natural environment.
• The proposed amendment will not have an adverse impact on the use of property in the immediate area.
The proposed City of Clearwater future land use category of Commercial General (CG) will necessitate an amendment of the Countywide Plan Map from the Public/Semi-Public (P/SP) category to the Retail & Sales (R&S) category. Additionally, the proposed City of Clearwater future land use category of Commercial General (CG) will also necessitate an amendment to the Land Use Strategy Map, which is part of the Countywide Rules, to amend a portion of the property from the Scenic/Noncommercial Corridor, Residential Category to the Scenic/Noncommercial Corridor, Mixed Use Category.
In accordance with the Countywide Plan Rules, the land use plan amendment is subject to the approval of Forward Pinellas, in its role as the Pinellas Planning Council, and the Board of County Commissioners acting as the Countywide Planning Authority. The application is a small-scale amendment so review and approval by the Florida Department of Commerce (DOC), formerly known as the Florida DEO, is not required.
The Community Development Board, in its capacity as the Local Planning Agency (LPA), reviewed the proposed amendment at its meeting on May 21, 2024, and unanimously recommended approval.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This proposed amendment supports the Community Well-Being goal of the city’s Strategic Plan by providing for targeted revitalization through responsible development standards.
