Subject:
Title
Case No. ZON-26-03 (Al Rahman, Inc.)
A request for a zoning change from R-A, Residential Agriculture, to LI-CO, Limited Institutional with Conditional Overlay, for approximately 2.69 acres located at 2577 Keystone Road in East Lake Tarpon. (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-26-03 is recommended for approval:
A resolution approving the application of Al Rahman, Inc., for a change in zoning from R-A, Residential Agriculture, to LI-CO, Limited Institutional with Conditional Overlay.
• The applicant is seeking a zoning change on a 2.69-acre parcel.
• The request would allow for the current community assembly facility to redevelop and come into compliance with current Code Requirements.
• A companion Future Land Use map amendment (Case No. FLU-26-01) is also proposed.
• The applicant has agreed to the following conditions as part of the conditional overlay:
o Limiting the allowable uses to a community assembly facility with accessory storage
o Limiting the maximum floor area ratio to 0.30
o Limiting the maximum impervious surface ratio to 0.60
o Increasing the minimum building setbacks for the primary building to 50 feet for the front, side, and rear yards
o Restricting vehicular access to only East Lake Drive
o Reducing the maximum building height to 35 feet
o Providing a minimum 5-foot landscape buffer along the East Lake Drive frontage
o Providing a 10-foot landscape buffer along the Keystone Road frontage consistent with the Scenic Noncommercial Corridor requirements.
• The Local Planning Agency recommended approval of the request (Vote: 6-0).
o No one appeared in opposition or support, and no correspondence was received.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.4 Enhance educational and cultural opportunities.
Summary:
Summary
The subject site is approximately 2.69 acres in size, located at 2577 Keystone Road in East Lake Tarpon, and is currently developed with a community assembly facility with an accessory storage building. The applicant intends to demolish the existing facility and redevelop the site with a slightly larger facility, new parking area, and stormwater retention, along with the removal of a driveway off of Keystone Road. A zoning change to Limited Institutional with Conditional Overlay (LI-CO) is being requested to facilitate the proposed use. A companion Future Land Use Map (FLUM) amendment from Residential Rural (RR) to Institutional (I) is also proposed.
The subject property is zoned R-A, Residential Agriculture, which allows for single-family residential lots (2-acre minimum) and a range of agricultural activities. Community assembly facilities, educational uses, and other similar public/semipublic uses may be permitted as a Type-2 use in an R-A zone. The proposed zoning designation, LI, Limited Institutional, would allow for the community assembly facility use by right. According to the Land Development Code, “The purpose of the LI, Limited Institutional District is to designate, develop, and accommodate public uses that serve the needs and interests of the surrounding community.”
The proposed Conditional Overlay associated with this request would limit how the property is used and ensure compatibility with surrounding uses. The conditions include: limiting the allowable uses to a community assembly facility with accessory storage, limiting the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) to 0.30, limiting the maximum impervious surface ratio (ISR) to 0.60, increasing the minimum building setbacks for the primary building to 50 feet for the front, side, and rear yards, restricting vehicular access to only East Lake Drive, reducing the maximum building height to 35 feet, providing a minimum 5-foot landscape buffer along the East Lake Drive frontage, and providing a 10-foot landscape buffer along the Keystone Road frontage consistent with the Scenic Noncommercial Corridor requirements.
The subject property is adjacent to single family residential development on the north, and to the south across Keystone Road. To the west there is an assisted living facility and a community assembly facility. To the east and northeast is a large office complex and single-family residence. There are other institutional and non-residential uses in the area along the Keystone Road corridor.
The subject property has a minor flood risk. The subject property is neither within the Coastal High Hazard Area (CHHA) nor the Coastal Storm Area (CSA). The northern portion of the subject property is within the Pinellas County’s Lake Tarpon Floodplain; however the proposed concept plan shows the main building not located in the floodplain.
The subject property fronts Keystone Road, a designated Scenic/Non-commercial Corridor (SNCC) as recognized by the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan. Because of this, additional landscaping will be required along the site’s Keystone Road frontage. The exact amount and nature of the additional landscaping requirements will be determined during site plan review. It should be noted that low density residential development is the preferred land use along designated SNCCs, although institutional uses may be located along these corridors as they provide beneficial services to the community, provided the traffic carrying capacity and scenic nature of the roadway is protected.
Staff are of the opinion that the proposed Zoning Atlas amendment, with the inclusion of the Conditional Overlay, is appropriate for the subject property and will allow the site to be redeveloped to the County’s development regulations in a more consistent manner. The proposed Zoning Atlas amendment is also compatible with the surrounding development pattern. Staff also find the amendment is consistent with the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan, subject to the approval of the companion FLUM amendment case (FLU-26-01).
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Background Information:
The LPA unanimously recommended approval of the request during its May 13, 2026, public hearing (Vote: 6-0)
Surrounding property owners within 300 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
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution
LPA Staff Report
Case Maps
Application Documents
Survey
Certification of Ownership
Legal Ad
Staff Presentation