A proposed zoning change would allow up to four units on almost 3,000 additional parcels.
The St. Petersburg City Council is moving forward with a proposal to permit denser housing development, reports Veronica Brezina in St. Pete Catalyst.
According to Brezina, “The language in the first reading of the city-initiated Neighborhood Traditional Mixed Residential (NTM-1) zoning application calls for an increase in the building density, allowing up to four units on nearly 3,000 parcels across the city.”
City councilmembers pushed back on neighborhood associations who oppose the move out of concern for “neighborhood character,” adding that “the proposed zoning change does list specific requirements related to the parking, setbacks, alleyways, facades and roads.”
Supporters of the measure argue that more housing is crucial in a county where one-third of families spend over 40 percent of their income on housing and professionals such as firefighters and teachers are increasingly pushed out. Anthony Close of urban development blog St. Pete Rising, pointed out in a public meeting that NTM-1 zoning would only apply to under 3 percent of the city’s lots.
The city council will take up the issue again on March 23.
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