Transit Oriented Development Overlay
At a glance
- What: Proposed new City Code Section 16.30.060 creating Transit Oriented Development districts, including the SunRunner bus rapid transit overlay, with station area types, development and design standards, and parking rules (Ordinance 633-H).
- Where it stands: On April 16, 2026 Council amended the ordinance and advanced it with a May 14, 2026 hearing date. The minutes record 6 ayes, no nays, Floyd absent and Harting recused.
Detail
- Twenty-five people were recorded at the April 16 public hearing: 19 in support, 5 in opposition and 1 who registered opposition without speaking. Planning and Development Director Derek Kilborn (Derek Kilborn) presented.
- Amendment 1 (moved by Gabbard, seconded by Gerdes): zero minimum parking at the stations and within a quarter mile of the station areas. Approved 6-0.
- Amendment 2 (moved by Gerdes, seconded by Gabbard): exempt all buildings 50 years old or older from the floor area ratio (FAR) bonus limits regardless of National Register or Local Landmark designation. Approved 6-0.
- Final motion (moved by Gerdes, seconded by Gabbard): approve the ordinance as amended, with May 14, 2026 as the next hearing date. 6-0.
- Harting filed a Form 8B memorandum of voting conflict, stating he abstained to avoid the appearance of a conflict because he owns a business on industrial property within the potentially affected area.
- The agenda item was revised on April 16 to correct its title. The April 2 minutes also record an ordinance numbered 632-H with the same Transit Oriented Development title adopted on second and final reading 7-0 (Givens absent), although the same meeting's agenda change describes 632-H as a Cone of Silence amendment (City Code Section 2-209(a)); the numbering is unclear in the minutes.
- At open forum on April 9 one resident spoke about the transit overlay development process.
Sources
- City Council regular session minutes, April 2, 2026: https://www.stpete.org/Government/Agendas%20and%20Documents/Council%20Action%20Taken/2026/2026-04-02%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
- City Council regular session minutes, April 9, 2026: https://www.stpete.org/Government/Agendas%20and%20Documents/Council%20Action%20Taken/2026/2026-04-09%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
- City Council regular session minutes, April 16, 2026 (with Form 8B attached): https://www.stpete.org/Government/Agendas%20and%20Documents/Council%20Action%20Taken/2026/2026-04-16%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes_w%20Form%208B%20Attached.pdf
Log
2026-04-16 - City Council
Public hearing with 25 speakers; two amendments (zero parking near stations; 50-year-old building exemption) and the final motion each passed 6-0 with Harting recused and Floyd absent. Next hearing date May 14, 2026.
2026-04-09 - City Council
A resident spoke at open forum about the transit overlay development process. No action.
2026-04-02 - City Council
Minutes record an ordinance 632-H with the overlay title adopted on second and final reading 7-0, Givens absent; agenda change lists 632-H as a Cone of Silence amendment.