Council passes first reading of ordinance to revise commercial‑neighborhood rules

On Jan. 8 the Pinellas Park City Council passed first reading of Ordinance number 20 26‑01, which proposes multiple amendments to the Land Development Code’s commercial‑neighborhood (CN) provisions.

Todd Byron, senior planner, outlined the principal changes: correct mapping/designation errors from the 2010 LDC revamp; add community redevelopment district and commercial neighborhood as compatible land uses; add new permitted uses such as art galleries, art studios and a “health globe” (as stated in the presentation); allow recreation open space as a permitted use rather than conditional; reduce the minimum lot area for CN parcels from 12,000 to 8,000 square feet; expand the maximum floor‑area ratio from 0.4 to 0.45; add minimum front, secondary front, side and rear yard setbacks (10 ft front, 10 ft secondary front, 8 ft side, 15 ft rear); and reduce permitted hours of operation from midnight to 10 p.m.

The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval at its Nov. 6, 2025 hearing, Byron said. Council member Butler moved to pass the ordinance on first reading; the motion carried unanimously. The ordinance will return for second reading and final adoption per the council’s ordinance schedule.