HORIZONS 2024 ST. PETE BEACH

By Brian Hartz

St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila took office earlier this year at a tumultuous time. Some of the issues facing the city – such as the fate of embattled City Manager Alex Rey and problems with homeless people coming to the community via free rides on the SunRunner bus route – have been resolved. Post-hurricane clean-up and beach renourishment proceeded forward thanks to the city’s diligent efforts. 

Downtown Corey Avenue is currently under discussion to be re-imagined with public input on converting part of the main street to a pedestrian and dining friendly area (like Chill’s new alfresco space), re-invigorating empty spaces (Beach Theater) and other neighborhood-friendly ideas. Traffic, clean water, wildlife protection, livability and density are also big issues under discussion. One advocacy group, Protect St. Pete Beach – which Petrila founded – is working hard to make sure that St. Pete Beach does not transform into Clearwater Beach.

There is no doubt that both hotels have contributed to the community and charities over the years. The issue in St. Pete Beach is one facing Pinellas County as well, with an influx of visitors and new residents.

A big concern for St. Pete Beach residents focuses on hotel expansion and its impact on the community. Sirata Beach Resort and TradeWinds Island Resorts have submitted proposals that, if approved and executed, would expand their already sizable properties. Sirata’s request for a conditional use permit was reviewed by the city’s Planning Board on Nov. 13, which voted 4-1 to advance the proposal and has been forwarded to the City Commission for further review at its Dec. 5 meeting. There is no doubt that both hotels have contributed to the community and charities over the years. The issue in St. Pete Beach is one facing Pinellas County as well, with an influx of visitors and new residents. 

Sirata’s plan would add two new hotel buildings and a total of 420 guest rooms to its existing property at 5300 Gulf Blvd. The result would be an increase in room density from 44 rooms per acre to 74.9 rooms per acre. TradeWinds’ proposal would add three new hotel towers and a total of 629 rooms to the sprawling resort at 5500 Gulf Blvd. The expansion would increase density from 44 rooms per acre to 63 rooms per acre.

A development moratorium had been effect until last year, but it’s since been lifted, giving resorts an opportunity to expand. “One of the things that I proposed was that we pause development while we’re doing the review,” Petrila said. “It will be up to the commissioners to decide if that’s something that they want to include.” 

The large-scale development moratorium could be instituted during the city’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan review.  Despite his history with Protect St. Pete Beach, “I don’t say ‘no’ to development,” Petrila said. “We want to make sure that any redevelopment or development protects the quality of life of our residents.”

JoLynn Lawson, one of the leaders of Protect St. Pete Beach – an organization that was founded by Petrila – says she is encouraged by the fact that more St. Pete Beach residents are actively engaging in going to city meetings and airing their concerns about the future of St. Pete Beach. The 11/13 meeting was so well-attended that many people had to listen in the City Hall lobby, and others gathered outside the building.

“I think just energizing the residents to get involved and pay attention is a big thing,” she said. “We’ve grown our membership and subscriber list to over one thousand. And St. Pete Beach only has about 9,000 residents. We’re continuing to try to grow that base even more, but a thousand, that’s significant.” To learn more, visit www.stpetebeach.org and www.protectstpetebeach.com. Read Protect St. Pete Beach’s Opinion Feature at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/opinion-protect-spb/.