Subject:
Title
Case No. ZON-25-05 (275 HYW Holdings, LLC)
A request for a zoning change from L-FBC, Lealman Form Based Code to C-2, General Commercial and Services on approximately 0.60 acre located at 2500 55th Avenue North in Lealman. (Quasi-Judicial).
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Based upon the evidence and findings contained in the staff report and attachments, Case No. ZON-25-05 is recommended for approval:
A resolution approving the application of 275 HYW Holdings, LLC for a zoning change from L-FBC, Lealman Form Based Code to C-2, General Commercial and Services.
• The applicant is seeking a zoning change on a 0.60-acre parcel.
• The request would allow the applicant the ability to combine an adjacently owned, commercially designated property into a cohesive vehicle towing business.
• The subject parcel is on the edge of the Lealman Form Based Code District, adjacent to I-275 and City of St. Petersburg jurisdiction.
• A companion Future Land Use amendment request (case #FLU-25-07) is also proposed.
• The Local Planning Agency recommended approval of the request (vote 5-1).
o One person appeared in opposition, citing increased traffic, unsafe vehicle movement, noise, and compatibility.
o One letter in opposition has been received.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.5 Foster business growth
Summary:
Summary
The property is designated as Mixed-Use Corridor-Primary-Commerce, MUC-PC on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM). The site is zoned L-FBC, Lealman Form Based Code which allows for a broad range of both residential and nonresidential uses.
The applicant wishes to redevelop this site and the adjacent site together as a vehicle towing business. A rezoning to the C-2 zoning district is proposed as the current L-FBC zoning district does not allow the proposed use. The subject site is approximately 0.60 acre in size located at 2500 55th Avenue North in Lealman. The property is currently being used to store tow trucks and towed vehicles; however, there is no approved site plan on file authorizing this use.
The subject property is located approximately 650 feet away from Haines Road and is adjacent to I-275. The surrounding area contains a variety of uses that consist of a mix of retail, commercial/business services to the west and south and residential uses to the north. Across 54th Avenue to the south of the subject parcel is a mobile home park, along with retail commercial and the 54th Avenue westbound contains a mix of commercial, office, and residential uses along the corridor.
While the subject property is located along the boundary of an established single-family neighborhood directly to the north, the subject property is within a block of C-2 and L-FBC zoned commercial parcels that are located between 55th and 54th Avenue North. The proposed C-2 zoning can be considered an appropriate transition especially when considering its limited access and adjacency to I-275.
The subject property is not within the Coastal Storm Area and has a low flood risk.
Staff is of the opinion that the proposed Zoning Atlas amendment is appropriate. Additionally, when evaluating the overall compatibility of the request with the surrounding area, especially when considering the site’s frontage along 54th Ave North and adjacency to I-275, the proposed use is compatible with the neighboring commercial uses and will allow for the proposed use. Staff also finds the amendment consistent with the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan subject to the approval of the companion FLUM amendment (case no. FLU-25-07).
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Background Information:
The LPA recommended approval of the request during its September 10, 2025, public hearing (Vote 5-1).
Surrounding property owners within 250 feet of the subject property were notified by mail. A sign advertising the public hearing was posted on the subject property.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Kevin McAndrew, Director, Building and Development Review Services
Scott Swearengen, Long Range Planning Manager, Housing and Community Development
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution
LPA Staff Report
Case Maps
Applicant Application
Survey
Certification of Ownership
Opposition Letter
Legal Ad
PowerPoint Presentation