A notoriously strict homeowner’s association in St. Petersburg has revised its roof material rules after one resident’s determination to rebuild stronger following a devastating hurricane season.

Kathleen Suler lost her Venetian Isles home to Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. Determined to protect her family, she pushed for an elevated rebuild with a durable metal roof. She partnered with Pelican Bay Home Builders, a local company that had just launched wind- and flood-resistant spec models tailored for coastal living.

The challenge: Venetian Isles’ HOA only permitted tile roofs. With her son entering his senior year of high school, Suler faced a race against time to amend the deed restrictions. She praised volunteer board members who were willing to listen, though securing the required 66% neighborhood approval seemed daunting.

Suler and her neighbors went door-to-door, rallying support. Against the odds, the measure passed, allowing her to build a 2,848-square-foot elevated home more than 10 feet above grade, topped with a storm-hardened metal roof.

“In the aftermath of a hurricane, you have a choice,” Suler said. “You lose value overnight. The question becomes: how do you rebuild safely while protecting your community?”

Pelican Bay’s president, Darren Brinkley, said his team had begun designing resilient homes months before Helene, but the storm accelerated demand. His company now offers elevated models at nearly half the cost and time of custom projects—provided homeowners can also navigate HOA restrictions.

Both Suler and Brinkley credited the HOA board’s willingness to adapt. “I think Venetian Isles is lucky we have reasonable people who could see past individual wants and think about what’s best for the whole neighborhood,” Suler said.

Construction on her new home began in February and is expected to finish in January 2026. For Suler, the project represents more than just rebuilding—it’s a return to stability.

“Grateful is the word,” she said. “Everything was uncertain, but knowing we’ll be back home soon, and seeing the relief on my son’s face—it means everything.”

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(Image credit: Tony Salazar)

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