SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Accept the annual report of the status of Transfers of Development Rights (TDRs). (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
Pursuant to Community Development Code Section 4-1403.H, a record of Transfers of Development Rights (TDRs) must be maintained and reported annually to the City Council and the Pinellas Planning Council (Forward Pinellas).
A Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is the conveyance of development rights by deed, easement, or other legal instrument from a parcel or parcels of land (the sending site) to another parcel or parcels of land (the receiving site). Transfer of Development Rights are enabled through the Countywide Rules and are governed by Article 4, Division 14 of the City’s Community Development Code (Code). The Code sets forth the requirements for the conveyance of the development rights, certain limitations to how much and where additional development potential can be used, and the process for approval to use any TDRs through a Level Two Flexible Development (FLD) application and approval by the Community Development Board (CDB). The Code prohibits TDRs to or from parcels in the Low Density Residential (LDR) or Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) Districts, as well as into the coastal storm area from outside of the coastal storm area. Additionally, properties located within the city’s redevelopment areas (governed by Beach by Design, Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan, or US 19 District) may only transfer development rights to another property within the same plan area. Through this program, development rights may be sold by one property owner (sending site) to be used by another property owner (receiving site), which would allow the receiving site to utilize the extra density or intensity on the receiving site; it does not create new density or intensity, but rather shifts where it may be used, pursuant to the standards in the Code.
There have been no additional TDR applications approved since last year; however, two applications have been submitted and are currently in review. Case TDR2023-05001 proposes to transfer 25 hotel units from 830 Bayway Boulevard to 301 S. Gulfview Boulevard, and case TDR2023-08001 proposes to transfer 1 hotel unit and 2 dwelling units from 692 Bay Esplanade and 64 Somerset Drive to 685 Bay Esplanade.
Since 1999, 37 TDR applications have been submitted to the Planning and Development Department for consideration by the Community Development Board. The statuses of those applications are as follows:
• 11 have been completed and built
• 6 applications were approved but the associated projects have not been constructed
• 17 TDR applications have expired as the projects were not constructed within the required timeframe
• 1 application was denied
• 2 applications are currently in review
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This report supports the High Performing Government goal of the city’s Strategic Plan by providing an evidence-based measurement tool to promote accountable governance.
