Tag: Pinellas County
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Pinellas County homeowners have until Monday at 11:59 p.m. to apply for the Homestead Exemption, which can reduce the taxable value of their homes by up to $50,000. The assessed value of a home—used for tax purposes—is set by local governments and is often lower than the market value (the price the home would sell…
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For Hillary Simpson and her family, including two young children, some nights are filled with disturbances. “My kids have been jolted awake in the middle of the night more than once,” she explained to WFTS. Simpson attributes these disruptions to constant noise from a short-term vacation rental located mere feet from her bedroom window in…
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St. Petersburg originally planned $960 million in stormwater projects over five years. However, Mayor Ken Welch’s push to tackle growing climate threats has increased the total to $1.5 billion. City council members received their first in-depth briefing on the St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) program Thursday. Launched after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, SPAR aims to…
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St. Petersburg’s booming development has resulted in a backlog of construction permits, further aggravated by an unprecedented hurricane season. Although officials believe a new platform will help address the issue, persistent staffing challenges remain a significant concern. A 2024 independent study echoed local developers’ sentiments: the understaffed permitting department needs more personnel. Elizabeth “Liz” Abernethy,…
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Some St. Petersburg residents can soon receive a full reimbursement to fix faulty sewer laterals, which officials say contribute significantly to flooding and sewage overflows. Private laterals connect a home’s plumbing to public sewer systems, and a new initiative will eventually offer up to $5,000 rebates citywide. Administrators believe the program could reduce inflow from…
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Pinellas County is pushing to launch a beach nourishment project before hurricane season hits, but resident backing is still needed. Time is ticking for Pinellas County officials to secure construction easements for part of the San Key Beach nourishment effort, covering Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores. They’re short about 180 signatures and…
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Tampa Bay rarely sees smooth regional transit teamwork, and the Cross Bay Ferry saga proves why. Pinellas County has bold ideas to expand the ferry, which since October has run year-round between Tampa Convention Center and St. Petersburg’s port. Operated by a private Boston firm and funded by Tampa, St. Pete, and their counties, the…
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Rules Outline Open-Container Policy, Operating Hours, and Noise Restrictions For years, Largo’s city officials, residents, and business owners have dreamed of a vibrant downtown district to draw visitors for shopping, dining, and entertainment. That vision took a significant step forward on February 18 when the City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance to establish the West…
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Generac, a top generator manufacturer, anticipates growing residential demand in storm-prone regions and is expanding its workforce by hiring hundreds to meet the need as hurricane season approaches. In the Tampa Bay area, local companies and Pinellas County building officials report a 50% jump in approved residential permits for generators in 2024 compared to the…
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Pinellas County residents voiced opposition to proposed changes in the short-term rental ordinance during a Tuesday night meeting with county commissioners. The discussion, which lasted over two hours, focused on updates to regulations for properties like Airbnb. More than a dozen residents shared their concerns, prompting commissioners to request adjustments to the proposal. The draft…
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Hurricane Helene’s storm surge last September severely damaged critical infrastructure in Pass-a-Grille, including a beach wall, roadway, and seawall—necessitating costly emergency repairs, according to St. Pete Beach Public Services Director Camden Mills. “This is a top priority project for us, and we are actively investigating solutions,” Mills said. “These infrastructure repairs are crucial for public…
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A legal battle over the presidential administration’s pause and review of federal funding has created uncertainty for the City of St. Petersburg at a critical time. City officials are awaiting approximately $200 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and an additional $160 million in hurricane recovery funds for residents. Frustrated city council members…
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Pinellas County is exploring a plan to ease the burden on hurricane victims by eliminating permit fees for rebuilding efforts. For families in parts of Pinellas County, the aftermath of recent storms lingers, with homes still in disrepair months later. County commissioners are looking at a proposal to waive building permit fees for repair and…
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The St. Petersburg City Council continues to investigate why some residents’ water bills skyrocketed to as much as six times the normal amount following last year’s hurricanes. After Hurricanes Helene and Milton subsided, several St. Petersburg residents were left with astonishingly high water bills. “Imagine my shock when I received my December utility bill for…
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St. Petersburg residents, small business owners, and city employees affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton will soon receive aid. Starting in March, officials will distribute over $800,000 from the We Are St. Pete Fund, which was approved unanimously by the city council. The fund allocates $400,000 for resident grants, $200,000 for small businesses, and $200,000…
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Homeowners in Pinellas County whose homes sustained major hurricane damage last year and were uninhabitable for at least 30 days may be eligible for a partial property tax refund. This marks the second year that Pinellas County has been able to offer tax relief for significant hurricane damage. The deadline to apply for a Property…
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Two lawsuits have been filed against the City of St. Petersburg over unexpectedly high water bills, following complaints from thousands of residents who received charges hundreds or even thousands of dollars above their usual amounts. On Thursday, the St. Petersburg City Council took steps to assist affected homeowners, including eliminating the requirement to hire a…
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Clearwater Beach has secured a coveted place on TripAdvisor’s list of the 25 Best Beaches in America. This accolade, part of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best, celebrates top-tier destinations based on glowing reviews and traveler feedback. Only an elite fraction—less than 1% of the platform’s 8 million listings—earn this distinction each year.…
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On Thursday morning, the St. Petersburg City Council addressed growing concerns over what many residents are calling exorbitantly high water bills. Some homeowners reported receiving utility bills in the thousands of dollars, even while away on vacation. Frustration is mounting as typical bills of a few hundred dollars have surged to over $1,000. Residents are…
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Imagine having a 24/7 bachelor party as your next-door neighbor—every day of the year. For one Pinellas County homeowner, that’s exactly what life has felt like since a neighboring house was converted into a short-term rental. Now, she fears that proposed county changes could make things even worse. “There’s no sense of community. No neighborly…
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In 2024, Pinellas County’s local visitors bureau received eight funding requests for capital projects totaling $67 million. However, tourism officials approved just $24.8 million for five area facilities on Wednesday. Two proposed projects in St. Petersburg remain uncertain. County commissioners will decide next week on the Woodson African American Museum of Florida’s funding, while the…
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Treasure Island leaders are making strides toward aiding local businesses in hurricane recovery. City officials have unanimously advanced an ordinance designed to support restaurants and bars impacted by recent storms. With beachgoers returning, commissioners acknowledge the need for ample dining and leisure options. Mayor John Doctor emphasized, “Without our hotels, without our restaurants, without the…
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Officials in Treasure Island are requesting additional information as they deliberate on waiving permit fees for residents looking to elevate or demolish homes post-Hurricane Helene. A workshop was convened Tuesday evening where city commissioners instructed City Manager Chuck Anderson to compile data on the number of permits already issued. The next session is set for…
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Stakeholders in Tampa Bay’s development industry predict service demand and construction will cool down in 2025, owing to the impacts of an unprecedented hurricane season and rising costs. Nonetheless, they believe even modest growth highlights the region’s resilience to building challenges. Will Conroy, president of St. Petersburg-based Backstreets Capital, and Jonathan Moore, president of Tampa’s…
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St. Pete Beach has initiated a pilot program to strengthen the enforcement of specific ordinances to maintain safety and cleanliness. The city’s Code Enforcement team, in partnership with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, will focus on enforcing rules such as no alcohol consumption in public beach areas, staying off the dunes, and ensuring dogs are…
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Local leaders are pushing back against recent criticism from Tampa Bay Rays executives regarding the $1.3 billion stadium development agreement, with St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch leading the response to what he views as concerning public statements from the team. On February 14, St. Petersburg and Pinellas County officials responded forcefully to accusations made by…
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Five months have passed since Hurricane Helene hit, flooding hundreds of homes in the Tampa Bay area’s beach towns. One resident, Jeff Fuller, is facing significant challenges rebuilding his home after it was inundated by five feet of water. His efforts have been stalled, as he waits for the necessary permits. Fuller, a resident of…
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Treasure Island leaders could take a step forward on Tuesday in supporting business owners still struggling to rebuild months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. City officials plan to discuss a proposal that would allow businesses to apply for “special event permits” to set up tents, temporary bars, food trucks, or trailers for an extended period…
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The City of Treasure Island is set to explore the possibility of waiving additional permit fees for residents rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes. At a workshop scheduled for Tuesday evening, city commissioners will deliberate on the proposal to eliminate permit fees for both elevating existing homes and for new constructions aimed at replacing hurricane-affected properties.…
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A couple in Gulfport, Becky McCoy and Jim Newman, faced a significant setback in their recovery efforts after waiting nearly five months for a permit from city officials to repair their roof and the damage left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Initially, a substantial damage determination letter from November indicated that their home suffered less…
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The tourism industry in Pinellas County is on the mend after the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Local business owners and employees are eager to welcome back snowbirds and vacationers. The effects on tourism trends will become clearer in the coming months and years, particularly during the peak season. Sean Green,…
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After five months of restoration, the popular beach at Pinellas County’s largest public park is set to reopen on Presidents’ Day. Fort De Soto Park sustained significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While most of the 1,136-acre park reopened weeks ago, North Beach remained one of the final areas under repair. Park Ranger Marina…
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Residents of storm-battered St. Petersburg, along with several real estate agents, have voiced worries after city officials initiated nearly 11,000 code enforcement cases on properties potentially affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many residents argue that their properties do not exhibit significant damage, while others worry that open cases could tarnish property reputations, complicating sales. …
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During a pre-recorded segment on WDAE-AM’s “Countdown to Opening Day” podcast, Tampa Bay Rays presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld voiced their opinions on the storm-damaged Tropicana Field and strained relationships with local authorities. The conversation aired nine days after St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch declared that the city would not chase a new stadium…
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After being closed for months due to significant damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton, local favorite, Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, is set to fully reopen. The park has been gradually reopening in phases, with dedicated crews and volunteers working tirelessly to clean up and repair the damage caused by Helene’s powerful surge and…
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As St. Petersburg residents continue rebuilding after last year’s Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many are encountering code enforcement violations for making repairs without the required permits. The city currently has nearly 11,000 open code enforcement cases, primarily focused on homes that may not have obtained proper permits for storm-related repairs. Officials say this effort is…
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As spring break nears, several major beach parking lots remain closed. Visitors hoping to park at Madeira Beach and Treasure Island sections report difficulties finding available spots due to the closure of large lots. With improving weather drawing more visitors to southwest Florida, securing beach parking is becoming increasingly challenging. In regions hit hard by…
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After more than four months of rebuilding, Tampa Bay’s largest American Legion post is officially reopening following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. American Legion Post 273, located just east of the 150th Avenue drawbridge leading to Madeira Beach, suffered severe flooding when the hurricane struck, with over three feet of water inundating the building.…
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The St. Petersburg City Council will soon receive an updated report concerning code enforcement, particularly focusing on properties damaged by storms. This update follows recent discoveries by residents unaware of existing code enforcement cases against their properties. Typically, the number of open code cases hovers between 1,000 and 2,000. However, in January, this figure surged…
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Some St. Petersburg residents have reported unusually high water bills that are more than double their typical amount. Last week, the city council accelerated discussions on the issue, scheduling it for further examination on Feb. 20. If you’ve received a significantly high water bill, you’re not alone. Residents’ Complaints Many residents have reached out to…
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At a special meeting on Feb. 7, Treasure Island commissioners unanimously approved extending a temporary waiver of permit fees for specific storm-related repairs. However, many residents will need to wait for further discussion in a work session and another regular hearing to see if relief will be expanded to include more costly permits for raising…
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Pinellas County officials are making a fresh attempt to secure easements for critical beach renourishment projects, following devastating damage from two Category 3 hurricanes last fall. The situation has become increasingly urgent after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the area in September, effectively erasing previous shoreline restoration efforts. The county’s coastline was already facing severe…
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Pinellas County has been awarded $512,36 in federal funds to rapidly rehouse residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. County commissioners will now approve grant recipients to prevent potential controversies. Initially, staff intended to rank and award applicants without commission oversight. However, Commissioner Vince Nowicki raised concerns about the Homeless Leadership Alliance (HLA) of Pinellas…
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