SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Future Land Use Map amendment from undesignated (Pinellas County) to the Institutional (I) category for 2201 Main Street, Dunedin, Florida, and pass Ordinance 9835-25 on first reading. (LUP2025-05001)
Body
SUMMARY:
This Future Land Use Map amendment involves one parcel of land totaling 0.70-acres located on the southeast corner of Main Street and Belcher Road. The applicant, Largo Medical Center Inc., is requesting to amend the future land use category of the property from undesignated (Pinellas County) to Institutional (I). The applicant has indicated that the property will be used as additional parking for the medical center which has been permitted and is under construction on the abutting parcel to the east. A Zoning Atlas Amendment application (see REZ2025-05001) is being processed concurrently with this case.
At the time of permitting, the subject property was located in the city of Dunedin. However, Dunedin contracted its city limits (6/5/2025) and the property is currently undesignated in Pinellas County. This coordinated process of annexation into the city of Clearwater (ANX2025-05006) and associated map amendments will create uniformity for the development site. It has been determined that the City of Clearwater is able to provide services to the site.
The previous Retail & Services (R&S) category (Dunedin) has a maximum density of 42 dwelling units per acre and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.55. The proposed 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 amendment would allow the property to have a consistent future land use category of Institutional (I) with the surrounding area in addition to the rest of the site.
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 Institutional (I) will necessitate an amendment of the Countywide Plan Map from the Retail & Sales (R&S) category to the Institutional (I) 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 July 15, 2025, 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.
