The St. Petersburg Development Review Commission voted 4-3 Wednesday night to approve a redevelopment proposal for the Tierra Verde Marina, despite strong opposition from hundreds of area residents who packed City Hall to protest the project.
The meeting stretched past four hours, with overflow crowds filling two additional rooms. Opponents submitted more than 200 emails to the city, and nearly 100 people signed up to speak against the development, including Pinellas County Commissioner Vince Nowicki. Many protesters wore neon shirts as a show of solidarity under the group name Tierra Verde Next.
This was developer Greenleaf Capital’s second attempt at approval, after withdrawing an earlier proposal last fall following public criticism. The revised plan includes several reductions: maximum building height was lowered from 90 to 72 feet, and dry boat storage spaces were cut from 711 to 500. The developer also says demolishing a neighboring shopping strip and gas station would reduce daily vehicle trips to the site by roughly 37%, though residents dispute that figure.
The project would also add a marina office, a three-story amenity pavilion, retail and office space, a pool, upgraded fueling facilities, and public dining areas.
Representing Greenleaf Capital, attorney Nicole MacInnes argued the project addresses a significant unmet need, noting that Pinellas County has the second-highest number of boat registrations in Florida and currently lacks storage for larger vessels.
Opponents remained unconvinced. Resident Paul Lee raised concerns about hurricane safety, saying that at 72 feet, the open-bay structures would act like sails in a storm. Others cited traffic congestion, environmental impacts, and incompatibility with the existing neighborhood character.
With the commission’s approval, the developer says permitting will take six to nine months, followed by 18 to 24 months of construction. If the decision is appealed, it would go directly to the circuit court.
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