St Pete Beach: City Commission Meeting - January 27, 2026
Summary. The St. Pete Beach City Commission met on January 27, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM with all commissioners present, including Commissioner Reznicki participating via Zoom from Tallahassee due to exigent circumstances. The meeting included several presentations covering federal legislative updates, capital improvement plan progress, and proposed modifications to the TC2 Coquina West zoning district. The commission recognized five employees of the quarter and approved the final reading of ordinance 2026-01 regarding residential development standards. Major agenda items included a comprehensive capital improvement plan update showing 53 active projects totaling $56.6 million, discussion of modest zoning modifications for the TC2 Coquina West area to allow standalone multifamily and lodging development, and complex deliberations on property easement vacations. The most significant item involved consideration of a special magistrate's recommendation regarding the Windward Pass development project following FLUEDRA mediation proceedings, where the applicant presented a substantially revised hotel project reducing units from 104 to 100, eliminating parking garage, and creating 50% open space. The commission ultimately denied the special magistrate's recommendation 4-0 for the Windward Pass project, citing concerns about lack of community benefits, insufficient public input, and significant density allocation requests. Commissioners encouraged the applicant to reapply with greater community engagement and tangible public benefits. Two easement vacation requests faced complications, with one continued to February 10th due to neighbor disputes and another failing to receive the required votes.
Agenda Items
1. Employee Recognition - First Quarter
Recognition of five employees of the quarter selected through internal employee committee process
- Changed from one $500 award to five $100 awards per employee vote
- Recognized employees from different departments: Liana Grimes (Library), Chris Tarkenton (Finance), Captain Lance Volpi (Fire), Joanne Bolen (Community Development), Luke Jacobson (Public Services)
2. Federal Legislative Update
Presentation by federal lobbyists on current federal priorities and opportunities
- Continuing resolution expires January 30, 2026
- DHS bill including $4.7 billion FEMA increase pending
- ACA subsidies extension discussions ongoing
- FEMA review council recommendations still pending
- Congressionally directed spending (earmarks) opening in February
3. Capital Improvement Plan First Quarter Update
Comprehensive update on 53 CIP projects totaling $56.6 million in FY26
- 24% of planned spending encumbered through Q1
- New project tracking dashboard being developed for transparency
- 10 projects currently in active construction phase
- Multiple grant applications totaling $13.8 million submitted
- $335,000 awarded for shoreline master plan
- FEMA public assistance projects: 74 for Helene, 12 for Milton
4. Town Center 2 Coquina West Modifications
Proposed zoning modifications to allow standalone multifamily and lodging development
- Three block area on west side of downtown
- Allow standalone multifamily at 18 units per acre, 3 stories max
- 800 sq ft living space cap for units
- Parking challenges on small lots addressed
- Planning board and community input process planned
6B. Resolution 2026-01: Vacation of easement at 103 24th Avenue
Request to vacate 3-foot easement with complications due to neighbor sewer line dispute
- Property owners in dispute over shared sewer line across property
- Demolition contractor cut neighbor's sewer line without authorization
- Property owner seeks resolution requiring neighbor to connect to Passagrille Way
- City attorney advised this is private civil matter for circuit court
- Initial motion failed, later reconsidered and continued to February 10
6C. Resolution 2026-03: Vacation of easements at 645 78th Avenue
Request to vacate two 5-foot drainage and utility easements between adjacent lots
- Property owner owns both lots requiring easement vacation
- All utilities issued letters of no conflict except TECO Peoples Gas pending
- Standard easement vacation for development permit purposes
- Motion failed to receive required four votes
6D. Special Magistrate Recommendation - Windward Pass Project
Consideration of mediation settlement for modified hotel development project
- Significantly revised project: 100 units (down from 104), no parking garage, 50% open space
- Eliminated water sports rentals and third-party vendors
- Relocated pools to interior courtyard away from water
- Concerns about lack of community benefits and public input
- Commissioners emphasized need for genuine community engagement
- Comparison made to successful projects with substantial community benefits
Motions & Votes
Motion to approve the agenda as amended
Moved by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Vice Mayor Marriott
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve Commissioner Reznicki participating via Zoom as an exigent circumstance
Moved by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Vice Mayor Marriott
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve the consent agenda
Moved by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Unidentified member
Passed 5-0
Motion to adopt ordinance 2026-01 as written
Moved by Vice Mayor Marriott, seconded by Commissioner Robinson
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve resolution 2026-02 (retirement health care funding plan)
Moved by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Mayor Petrella
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve resolution 2026-01 as amended
Moved by Commissioner Maldonado, seconded by Vice Mayor Marriott
Passed 3-2
Motion to reconsider resolution 2026-01
Moved by City Attorney Brooks, seconded by Commissioner Robinson
Passed 5-0
Motion to continue resolution 2026-01 to February 10 commission meeting
Moved by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Commissioner Maldonado
Passed 5-0
Motion to approve resolution 2026-03 vacating two 5-foot drainage and utility easements at 645 78th Avenue
Moved by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Vice Mayor Marriott
Failed - vote count unclear from transcript
Motion to deny special magistrate recommendation for Windward Pass project mediation settlement
Moved by Commissioner Maldonado, seconded by Commissioner Robinson
Passed 4-0
Action Items
Follow up on Coquina Way cul-de-sac traffic circulation issues and furniture removal
Assigned to City Manager
Contact Walter Sowa regarding air conditioning condenser setback issues
Assigned to Assistant City Manager Adam Poyer
Proceed with TC2 Coquina West zoning modifications through planning board and community input process
Assigned to Planning Department · Due Mid-2026 for final adoption
Launch capital improvement project tracking dashboard
Assigned to Public Services Department with IT support · Due Before next quarter update
Work with sheriff's office to ramp up enforcement of dogs off-leash ordinances in neighborhoods and parks
Assigned to City Manager
Address parking pass issues for Pass-a-Grille and Upham Beach businesses in context of parking study
Assigned to City Manager · Due February 4 Finance Committee meeting
Clarify county ordinances regarding dogs off-leash on sandbar area formerly known as Dog Beach
Assigned to City Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The St. Pete Beach City Commission met on January 27, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM with all commissioners present, including Commissioner Reznicki participating via Zoom from Tallahassee due to exigent circumstances. The meeting included several presentations covering federal legislative updates, capital improvement plan progress, and proposed modifications to the TC2 Coquina West zoning district. The commission recognized five employees of the quarter and approved the final reading of ordinance 2026-01 regarding residential development standards. Major agenda items included a comprehensive capital improvement plan update showing 53 active projects totaling $56.6 million, discussion of modest zoning modifications for the TC2 Coquina West area to allow standalone multifamily and lodging development, and complex deliberations on property easement vacations. The most significant item involved consideration of a special magistrate's recommendation regarding the Windward Pass development project following FLUEDRA mediation proceedings, where the applicant presented a substantially revised hotel project reducing units from 104 to 100, eliminating parking garage, and creating 50% open space. The commission ultimately denied the special magistrate's recommendation 4-0 for the Windward Pass project, citing concerns about lack of community benefits, insufficient public input, and significant density allocation requests. Commissioners encouraged the applicant to reapply with greater community engagement and tangible public benefits. Two easement vacation requests faced complications, with one continued to February 10th due to neighbor disputes and another failing to receive the required votes.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 7 agenda items: Employee Recognition - First Quarter; Federal Legislative Update; Capital Improvement Plan First Quarter Update; Town Center 2 Coquina West Modifications; Resolution 2026-01: Vacation of easement at 103 24th Avenue; Resolution 2026-03: Vacation of easements at 645 78th Avenue; Special Magistrate Recommendation - Windward Pass Project.
How many motions were voted on?
10 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
7 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
5 members were recorded as present: Mayor Petrella, Vice Mayor Marriott, Commissioner Robinson, Commissioner Maldonado, Commissioner Reznicki.
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
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