SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Future Land Use Map Amendment from the Residential Urban (RU) category to the Residential Medium (RM) category for 2446 Nursery Road and pass Ordinance 9864-26 on first reading. (LUP2025-11004)
Body
SUMMARY:
This Future Land Use Map Amendment case involves a property consisting of one parcel totaling 0.40 acres, located on the north side of Nursery Road, approximately 186 feet east of Rosetree Court, at 2446 Nursery Road. The property is owned by Lantern Senior Care LLC. Lantern Senior Care is an assisted living facility that focuses on memory care and Alzheimer’s disease. The request is to change the Future Land Use Map designation of this property from Residential Urban (RU) to Residential Medium (RM).
The current 4,017-square-foot building is located along Nursery Road. The structure has been operating as an assisted living facility for ten years. If the proposed amendment is approved, the existing assisted living facility use will continue to be allowed within the Residential Medium (RM) designation. The property’s current zoning designation of Medium Density Residential (MDR) District is consistent with the current and proposed future land use designations, and assisted living facilities are permitted as a Level II Flexible Development use. The owner of the subject parcel has submitted an application for an annexation (ANX2026-02002) for the abutting parcel to the northwest. The parcel is under the same ownership. The applicant has indicated plans to combine the two parcels and continue operating as an assisted living facility.
The requested amendment to the Residential Medium (RM) category is generally consistent with the surrounding parcels and would allow for future development that is compatible with surrounding uses and appropriate for a location along Nursery Road. An amendment to the Countywide Plan Map will be required to ensure consistency between the City’s Future Land Use Map and the Countywide Plan Map. The applicant understands that all necessary approvals and permits must be obtained prior to development of the subject 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 the 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 Residential Medium (RM) will require an amendment to the Countywide Plan Map from the Residential Low Medium (RLM) category to the Residential Medium (RM) category.
In accordance with the Countywide Plan Rules, the land use plan amendment is subject to approval by 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; therefore, 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 March 17, 2026, 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.
