Commission approves first reading to vacate plat lots to allow 32 townhomes near Mango Street

The City Commission on Tuesday approved first reading of Ordinance 2026‑11, which vacates platted lot lines and a segment of unimproved right‑of‑way in the Lake Butler Heights subdivision to allow construction of a 32‑unit townhome community accessed from Mango Street.

Interim Planning Director Ali Keene told the board the vacation affects 39 subdivision lots and roughly 3.64 acres of platted lots, plus about 0.5 acres of unimproved right‑of‑way. Keene said utilities were not present in the vacated lanes and that the applicants proposed to reserve an additional 17.5 feet of right‑of‑way along Mango Street to satisfy the comprehensive‑plan standards for any future roadway improvements.

Applicant representative Matt Silver of Gulf Coast Consulting said the townhomes would be for market sale and estimated comparable townhome prices in nearby Pinellas Park at about $360,000 to $390,000; he said the existing narrow lots could not meet modern single‑family standards and that a plat vacation was necessary to assemble a developable parcel.

Staff also noted the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority owns an adjacent lot and will be deeded a portion of vacated right‑of‑way adjacent to that lot, and added a condition to ensure future access if that lot were developed. The board approved first reading and set the second reading for July 14, 2026.

What’s next: Staff and the applicant will return with the companion site plan at the second reading; if the second reading and site plan are approved, the plat will be vacated and the townhome development process will proceed under the conditions adopted by the commission.