SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the annexation, initial Future Land Use Map designation of Commercial General (CG), and initial Zoning Atlas designation of Commercial (C) District for 1903 Douglas Avenue, together with the abutting right-of-way of Douglas Avenue and Sunset Point Road, and pass Ordinances 9884-26, 9885-26, and 9886-26 on first reading. (ANX2026-01001)
Body
SUMMARY:
This voluntary annexation petition involves a 0.28-acre property consisting of one parcel of land occupied by a vacant building. The property is located at the northeast corner of Douglas Avenue and Sunset Point Road. The applicant is requesting annexation in order to receive sanitary sewer and solid waste service from the city. The Development Review Committee is proposing that the 0.001-acres of abutting Douglas Avenue and Sunset Point Road rights-of-way not currently within the city limits also be annexed. The property is proposed to be assigned a Future Land Use Map designation of Commercial General (CG) and a Zoning Atlas designation of Commercial (C).
The Planning and Development Department determined that the proposed annexation is consistent with the provisions of Community Development Code Section 4-604.E as follows:
• The city has adequate capacity to serve this property with sanitary sewer, solid waste, police, fire and EMS service. The property currently receives water service from the city of Clearwater. The closest sanitary sewer line is located in the adjacent Douglas Avenue and Sunset Point Road rights-of-way. The applicant will pay the city's sewer impact and assessment fees and is aware of the additional costs to extend city sewer service to this property. Collection of solid waste will be provided by the city of Clearwater. The property is located within Police District II and service will be administered through the district headquarters located at 645 Pierce Street. Fire and emergency medical services will be provided to this property by Station #51 located at 1712 Overbrook Avenue. Therefore, the proposed annexation will not have an adverse effect on public services and their levels of service; and
• The proposed annexation is consistent with and promotes the following objective of Clearwater 2045, the city’s Comprehensive Plan:
Objective PI 9.1 Continue to work with Pinellas County in the orderly annexation of the city’s existing enclaves.
• The proposed Commercial General (CG) Future Land Use Map designation is consistent with the current Countywide Plan designation of the property. This designation primarily permits commercial and retail uses. The proposed zoning district to be assigned to the property is the Commercial (C) District. The use of the subject property is consistent with the uses allowed in the District and the property exceeds the District’s minimum dimensional requirements. The proposed annexation is therefore consistent with the Countywide Plan and the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Code; and
• The property proposed for annexation is contiguous to existing city boundaries to the north; therefore, the annexation is consistent with Florida Statutes Chapter 171.044.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This annexation petition supports the Deliver Effective and Efficient Services by Optimizing City Assets and Resources goal of the city’s Strategic Plan by reducing enclaves and delivering city services to properties within the city’s service boundary. This petition also supports Ensure Exceptional Communities and Neighborhoods Where Everyone Can Thrive goal by better unifying neighborhoods and reducing issues with multiple jurisdictions.
