Note: St. Pete Beach is governed by a City Commission. This recap covers the regular City Commission meeting of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 6:00 PM. All five members were present: Mayor Tate, Vice Mayor Robinson, and Commissioners Karen Marriott (D1), Al Causey (D3), and Jon Maldonado (D4). Official minutes not yet posted (agenda checked on CivicClerk); votes from video captions.
NBCA area: St. Pete Beach from 75th Ave north to the Treasure Island line (Blind Pass). Citywide items are still covered.
⏱️ At A Glance (The 60-Second Version)
Planning & zoning fees are going up (first reading): Ordinance 2026-22, the first major fee update since 2016, passed 5-0. Staff will bring changes to the hardship variance and conditional use fees for the second reading.
Pass-a-Grille height rules clarified: Resolution 2026-35 passed 5-0. In the Pass-a-Grille overlay, only non-occupiable features (like mechanical equipment and chimneys) may go into the 4-ft space between 28 and 32 feet.
Next meeting: The City Commission meets Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 6:00 PM at City Hall (155 Corey Ave.). Agendas are posted by 2:00 PM on Oct. 22.
📌 Key Decisions & Impact on North Beach
1. Ordinance 2026-22: Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule (First Reading)
What happened: Planner Brandon Barry and consultant Raftelis presented updated fees for development applications. Staff said the fees had not kept up with the actual cost of review since 2016. The ordinance adds a zoning review fee for commercial building permits ($200–$1,000, depending on scope) and a $50 zoning inspection fee for both residential and commercial projects. Residential permit review fees are not part of this ordinance. Commissioners raised concerns about the hardship variance and conditional use permit fees, and the possibility of a small-business tier. The motion directs staff to look at those fees again before the second reading.
The Vote: Passed 5-0 on first reading. (Mover/seconder: [unverified - check])
North Beach Impact: These fees would apply to North Beach property owners and businesses that apply for variances, conditional uses, or commercial permits. Hardship variances cover docks, multifamily, and commercial projects, which matters for waterfront owners and businesses. Watch for the revised version at the second reading (date [unverified - check]).
2. Resolution 2026-35: Allowable Height in the Pass-a-Grille Overlay District
What happened: The Historic Preservation Board raised questions about how height limits apply. Staff then brought forward an interpretation of the existing code. The overlay allows 28 ft to the top of a flat roof’s parapet and 32 ft overall. Under the interpretation, roofs with a pitch of 2:12 or less count as flat. Only non-occupiable features (water tanks, mechanical equipment, chimneys, cupolas, spires) may extend into the 28–32 ft zone. Enclosed stair towers and elevator overruns would no longer be allowed there. One commissioner asked why the code itself wasn’t amended. Staff said land development code changes are on hold until Senate Bill 180’s restrictions expire in 2027, but staff can draft an amendment in the meantime.
The Vote: Passed 5-0. (Mover/seconder: [unverified - check])
North Beach Impact: This applies only to Pass-a-Grille and doesn’t change North Beach height rules. It does show how the city may handle height and overrun questions citywide once SB 180 expires.
3. Ordinance 2026-15: Green Building Standards in the Community Redevelopment District (Final Reading)
What happened: The ordinance amends Land Development Code Section 39.9 to adopt alternative green-building standards for new construction and major renovation in the Community Redevelopment District. There were no changes since the first reading. Commissioner Marriott abstained, declaring a conflict under Florida Statute 112.3143 because a home she owns is in permitting.
The Vote: Passed 4-0, with 1 abstention (Marriott).
North Beach Impact: This applies to projects in the Community Redevelopment District. Whether specific North Beach parcels fall inside it is [unverified - check].
4. Other Actions
Ordinance 2026-24 (first reading), passed 5-0: Lets the city clerk’s designees (deputy or assistant clerk) accept candidate qualifying paperwork. Qualifications, fees, and deadlines do not change.
Consent agenda, passed 5-0. Included Sept. 21 minutes, Res. 2026-34 (Central St. Pete Beach Historic Survey grant), FY2027 property & casualty insurance renewal with PRM ($972,854), Corey Ave Sip and Stroll street closure (Oct. 30), Builders All Risk insurance for the fire house under construction ($59,544.36), and a Pinellas County budget-services interlocal (≤$31,000). Items E and G were pulled for discussion and then approved together 5-0:
E: Cyber-security insurance renewal with Brown & Brown, $40,350 (Oct. 15, 2026 – Oct. 30, 2027 per the transcript). Vice Mayor Robinson asked why the renewal was effectively single-source. Staff said vendor delays meant quotes weren’t received before the policy rolled over, and that staff will start renewals earlier.
G: Service agreement with Intellisite, Inc. to rebuild the Merry Pier bait shack, not to exceed $80,137.94 (earlier bids were reportedly about $150K–$180K). The contract includes longshoreman’s insurance and a $500/day liquidated-damages penalty for late completion.
FEMA/insurance update (presentation, no vote): Public Services Director Camden Mills reported 70 FEMA projects from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, about $11.1M gross. The expected federal share is about $8.5M, and about $6.64M has been received so far. Insurance recoveries total about $3.5M. Two road projects (Pass-a-Grille Way and Gulf Way) were denied by FEMA. The city is appealing and is also pursuing Federal Highway emergency relief funding.
💬 Public Comment & Open Discussion
One speaker (Vincent Tormenia [surname per prior minutes; confirm]) asked the city to dredge the Maritana inlet, which he said hasn’t been dredged since 1983. He also asked that FDOT reroute drainage pipes on 35th–37th Avenues toward the Bayway, citing street flooding, and suggested the city hire a grant writer. The city manager said a public-services analyst handles grants and that a meeting with FDOT about the piping was delayed by hurricane response in the Panhandle.
46th Avenue parking (discussion, no vote): Commissioner Maldonado [attribution from context - check] relayed residents’ concerns that the parking survey included multi-unit properties whose parking wasn’t affected. He said that may have changed the results. Another commissioner said the residents she had heard from supported the change, and cited safety concerns with parking on both sides. Outcome: Staff will send the survey data and respondent map to the full commission. No action was taken.
Commissioner and staff reports:
Election qualifying for the March 9, 2027 municipal election runs Nov. 3 (noon) through Nov. 13 (noon) [end date unverified - check; the clerk said “13th or 14th”].
Dolphin Village (outside the NBCA area): Brixmor plans to rebuild the shopping center with a new Publix prototype store, and entitlements are expected to start in the coming months. The city manager is also reviewing a request to temporarily use 100+ excess parking spaces there for public/beach overflow parking, with conditions still being set.
A Parks & Recreation Committee opening (District 4) was announced, with one-page resumes due to the clerk “by Friday” (Oct. 16). Karen Keywood (Vina Del Mar) was appointed to the Finance & Budget Review Committee.
Pump Station 1 work is wrapping up. St. Alban’s Church (closed since the hurricane) will reportedly not reopen, and the property may be sold.
Staff noted that Pinellas is under a hurricane executive order issued Oct. 10 (storm name [unverified - check]). Under SB 180, the city cannot raise building permit or inspection fees for 180 days.
📅 Upcoming Community Events & NBCA Meetups
Beach Stewardship Committee (public meeting): Wed., Nov. 18, 2026, 9:00–10:00 AM. Location: see the city calendar (link).
MindTravel Live-to-Headphones Piano Concert: Fri., Nov. 20, 2026, Upham Beach Park (on the sand), 6850 Beach Plaza. Ticketed via Eventbrite. Start time: [unverified - check; the listing shows both 5:30 and 6:30 PM].
Library closed for Veterans Day: Wed., Nov. 11, 2026.
Corey Avenue Sip and Stroll: Fri., Oct. 30, 2026 (street closure approved Oct. 13). Belle Vista Halloween Block Party: Oct. 30, 2026 (approved July 28).
Veterans celebration: Nov. 8, 2026 (announced by a resident Sept. 21; details [unverified - check]).
Lift station #4/#7/#10 conditional use hearings: Mon., Nov. 2, 2026, 6:00 PM (continued from Sept. 9).
[NBCA: North Beach Civic Association Re-Launch Meetup, date/time/location TBD]: RSVP at [NBCA: link TBD]
[NBCA: North Beach Beach Cleanup, date/meeting spot TBD]: Sign up at [NBCA: link TBD]
🏗️ Around North Beach
Items inside or on the edge of the NBCA area (75th Ave north to the Treasure Island line at Blind Pass), dated on or before this meeting. - FDOT Blind Pass Rd repaving now slated for 2028: FDOT’s page lists the 1.459-mile SR 699 repaving (north of 75th Ave to north of W. Gulf Blvd) as in design, with construction anticipated to begin in 2028. That is later than the early 2027 date mentioned at the Sept. 21 meeting. (FDOT 449213-1) - Blind Pass Rd storefronts refilling: The Helm now operates at 7800 Blind Pass Rd, and its former space at 7736 Blind Pass Rd is planned as The Scullery (retail and classes; “a few months out” as of Aug. 5). Mastry’s Brewing Co. at 7701 Blind Pass Rd marked its 10th anniversary Oct. 10. (The Link Property Group blog, Oct. 8, 2026) - Upham Beach dune planting complete: Pinellas County reported planting finished May 21, 2026. (Pinellas County)
🗳️ What’s Next & How to Get Involved
City Commission: Tue., Oct. 27, 2026, 6:00 PM, City Hall, 155 Corey Ave. (agenda posted by 2:00 PM Oct. 22). Later meetings: Mon., Nov. 2 (lift station CUPs return); Tue., Nov. 17; Tue., Dec. 1; Tue., Dec. 15.
Watch for: The second readings of Ordinance 2026-22 (fees) and 2026-24 (qualifying), and any follow-up on 46th Ave. parking and the Dolphin Village overflow parking request.
Speak at a meeting: Fill out the speaker form on the city’s Agendas & Minutes page.
[NBCA: next North Beach Civic Association gathering, date/location TBD]
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Sources: Meeting video (YouTube) · 2026 Commission meeting schedule · Oct. 13 agenda (CivicClerk file 8127) · Agendas & Minutes. Based on the meeting’s auto-generated captions; official minutes were not yet available.
📊 Presentations & Documents
FEMA & insurance reimbursement update (Helene/Milton) — Oct 13 Commission agenda packet (packet p. 4-25) - Helene: 61 projects, ~$8.4M gross cost, ~$5.88M federal share disbursed to the City. Milton: 9 projects, ~$2.7M gross, ~$760K disbursed (p. 5). - ~$1.9M in obligated funds is pending disbursement, with 16 projects in Phases 3-4 and 54 at Phase 5 or beyond (p. 6). - North Beach: “75th Ave/78th Ave Seawalls” (project 811068) is listed as Pending Initial Project Development (p. 7).
Ord. 2026-22 – Planning & zoning fee amendments — Oct 13 Commission agenda packet (packet p. 220-227) - Proposed: a $100 variance pre-application meeting fee and a $750 practical-difficulty variance base fee, up from $500 (p. 221). - Comparison table: SPB’s proposed hardship variance fee is $1,500, vs. $500 and $2,000 in two other listed jurisdictions (p. 224). - Proposes a $50 residential inspection fee for 0-3 inspections per permit (p. 223).
🎙️ From the Meeting Video (unofficial)
Source: City YouTube video, auto-generated captions via YouTube’s public transcript. Captions are machine-made and may mis-hear words. Official minutes remain the authority for votes and motions.**
Audience comments start around 28 min. See the video for full remarks.
16 min: “…we can get that valuation um increased. And then our various seaw walls. Um this includes 14th Avenue, 18th Avenue, 75th, 78th, and our recreation center. Um the the reason this doesn’t include all of the city seaw walls citywide is is part…”
52 min: “…community redevelopment district, which is most of Gulf Boulevard from 37th Avenue North and Blind Pass Road south of 83rd Avenue. Um, outside of the community redevelopment district, there…”
64 min: “…development where there may be additional considerations. I would maybe place the Blind Pass Marina project somewhere between that and a large hotel redevelopment where there are additional requirements. So, we can look at, you…”
📍 North Beach Locations
7701 Blind Pass Rd — Image: Google Street View (© Google, captured Jan 2026) Open in Google Maps Street View (coordinates: OpenStreetMap Nominatim)
7736 Blind Pass Rd — Image: Google Street View (© Google, captured Jan 2026) Open in Google Maps Street View (coordinates: OpenStreetMap Nominatim)
7800 Blind Pass Rd — Image: Google Street View (© Google, captured Jan 2026) Open in Google Maps Street View (coordinates: OpenStreetMap Nominatim)