Planning board adds CRA item; staff reports commission accepted finding of necessity and updates on SB 840

At the start of the meeting the planning board voted to add agenda item 5(d) for a community redevelopment area (CRA) update.

Staff reported the city commission earlier this week accepted a finding of necessity for a CRA, the statutory first step in establishing a redevelopment area. That finding initiates next steps including issuing a request for proposals to select a consultant, preparing a CRA plan that lays out funding and priorities (staff said infrastructure is a likely focus), public engagement with stakeholders and coordination with Pinellas County on possible tax‑increment financing decisions months from now.

Separately, staff and the city attorney briefed the board on Senate Bill 840, which staff said passed the Florida Senate by a 38‑0 vote and had been transmitted to the House without a companion house bill at the time of the meeting. Staff said the bill as drafted would preserve a one‑year post‑storm moratorium but narrow local options for extending issuance time frames; the board discussed procedural impacts and the timing of any local code changes in light of state action.

No formal recommendation or legislative action was taken by the planning board on the CRA or SB 840 during this meeting; staff said they will return with more detailed plans and public engagement timelines.