OPINION: PROTECT ST. PETE BEACH 

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Read the October Cover Story on The Eco Warriors at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/the-eco-warriors/.
Sign their petition at https://wwwprotectstpetebeach.com

NEW:  ARTICLE UPDATED 11/28/2023

Protect St. Pete Beach advocacy efforts continue. If you are a resident, join them at the Dec. 5 City Commission meeting to discuss Sirata Hotel’s expansion plans. Learn more about the group and its efforts on their website and these news stories. https://www.protectstpetebeach.com/blog/news-2

Sign the petition. https://www.protectstpetebeach.com/petition

Find more information at:

The Protect St. Pete Beach was relaunched in 2023. Protect St. Pete Beach is now a not-for-profit consumer advocacy group. They envision St Pete Beach as a magnet for high-quality development and redevelopment projects that beautify the community for the mutual benefit of residents and visitors alike, without increasing traffic, congestion, demands on infrastructure, or threatening wildlife and natural resources. To date, more than 1,500 residents have signed the petition. Their vision?

  • They recognize that St Pete Beach’s infrastructure and businesses need investment to attract the quality of tourism that will appreciate our unique small-town charm, history, and simple beauty. 
  • They welcome development and businesses working with the community towards this goal. 
  • They are fully invested in seeing that elected officials and appointed leaders make decisions and approve projects that prioritize residents over developers. The PAC attends bimonthly commissioner / board meetings and voice concerns, then communicate with residents to apprise them of the issues facing St. Pete Beach and empower them to express their opinions to our elected officials. 

 “St Pete Beach residents make up the Protect St Pete Beach PAC. Some of us have a long history of generations calling St Pete Beach home. Some have lived here for multiple decades, raised children, owned businesses, served on city boards and committees and others of us are new to the community. We believe residents have a responsibility to ensure our community prioritizes environmental stewardship, preserves our history and family friendly atmosphere. We support quality investment and development that enhances and preserves our community for generations to come,” says chairperson JoLynn Lawson, Protect St. Pete Beach PAC.

KEY ISSUES

Development’s impact on St. Pete Beach Today, St. Pete Beach’s large resorts average 39 rooms per acre. On the horizon, two of the largest resorts want permission from St. Pete Beach City Commission to increase to 75 rooms per acre (Tradewinds, Sirata). The large resort district has parcels of land that have been purchased and owners are submitting plans for redevelopment and are currently in the Technical Review Process with the city of St. Pete Beach. At this time, no firm date has been scheduled for an approval vote.

  • Sirata has submitted a conditional use permit (CUP) that increases density from 43.7 to 74.9 rooms per acre. Adding 290-325 units also adds about 300 employees. See The Sirata’s redevelopment proposal at https://bit.ly/3EOlauW.
  • Tradewinds is also submitting a CUP that adds over 600 rooms in phase 1 and 600 employees. About 650 more guests at Sirata plus 600 employees About 1200 more guests Tradewinds and 600 more employees. See The Tradewinds redevelopment proposal at https://bit.ly/3PRO17Q.
  • According to SPB Comprehensive Plan, 75 temporary lodging units per acre are identified as allowable Within the Large Resort if Conditional Use is approved by city commissioners, that up to 85% of a site can be covered with impervious surfaces,  and building heights of 116 feet are possible.

Residents need to consider these issues regarding development. www.protectstpetebeach.com/manage-density

  • How is this magnitude of redevelopment suitable given the unique character of St. Pete Beach?
  • How is it appropriate to allow up to 85% impervious surface on a fragile barrier island? 
  • How do the potential building heights not invade the privacy and block scenic vistas.
  •  What happens if/when more hoteliers are permitted to increase density? Can our community handle an effective doubling of rooms per acre in the Large Resort District?
  • Is St. Pete Beach prepared for the increased demand for EMS, fire, and police to ensure the safety of residents and visitors? 
  • Can the current infrastructure (water, trash, sewage and power) handle increased development in St. Pete Beach?
  • Can Gulf Boulevard handle the increased traffic and what about parking for visitors in addition to hotel guests?

How will development affect St. Pete Beach tourism and its national and international reputation as one of the world’s best beaches and destinations? St. Pete Beach has been a signature destination for 100+ years. International and national visitors and part-time residents (snowbirds)come to bask in the sun, walk the pristine white beaches, capture a sunset, fish, boat, and dine. Florida has 825 miles of sandy coastline and visitors chose to come to this small piece of paradise. St Pete Beach is unique – it’s not Clearwater – it’s not Daytona – it’s not St Augustine. SPB is about seven miles long with less than 9,000 residents and thousands of people who visit monthly. Like any community, keeping our wildlife safe and nourishing our beaches are a constant challenge. Protect St. Pete Beach is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of life with the mantra “One Beach, One Community” a clarion call to action.

Protecting our wildlife and having a sustainable environmental plan is key when considering increased development.

Tampa Bay Watch, Seacoast Seabird Sanctuary, Eckerd College’s marine education programs, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and other eco-conscious and wildlife groups watch over turtle nests, rescue animals and help marine life or birds tangled in fishing lines. And that’s just the tip of the eco-iceberg. We need to know developers plans for “green” building and be sure the do not impact wildlife and beach health negatively.

NEWS UPDATE 8/24/2023 (Tampa Bay Times) The SunRunner rapid bus service, which is projected to transport its millionth passenger next month less than a year after launching, will cost riders the same fare as any other county bus starting Oct. 1. Members of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority board voted today to impose full fares on the SunRunner, which shuttles between downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, a month earlier than planned. The move comes in the wake of pressure from St. Pete Beach residents, who have complained about homeless people riding the free bus into their community, and from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who said he saw imposing a fare as the only way to stem an increase in activities such as panhandling, sleeping on the beach and shoplifting.

July 2023 Public transportation is contributing to increased crime The SunRunner opened in October 2022; what started out as a potential asset for tourism in St. Pete Beach from downtown is proving to be a detriment. Crime statistics from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s database shows crime increasing 36% year over year in the first six months of 2023. Consider these statistics of crime in St. Pete Beach. SPB went from a single assault in the first six months of 2022 to ten in 2023.  Mental health arrests (“Baker Acts”) are up 79%. Battery is up 21%. Burglary is up 23% Theft is up 93%.Trespass is up 128%. Vandalism is up 127% 

Members of the PSPB PAC presented at the July PSTA Board meeting highlighting the increased crime in our community
and asking for the “free” promotion to end. “We strongly support the Pinellas County Sheriff’s efforts to ensure the
SunRunner begins charging a fare for all passengers. We appreciate the PSTA and sheriff’s department collaborating on
increased security and enforcement to make sure St Pete Beach is safe and enjoyable for all. However, we agree with
Sheriff Gualtieri that charging a fare for all passengers is the only sustainable long-term solution.”

UPCOMING 2023 EVENTS

Upcoming St. Pete Beach Commissioners Meetings

Learn more about St. Pete Beach current density report: https://www.protectstpetebeach.com/manage-density

Emergency Beach Restoration Projects are working hard in Sunset Beach, Treasure Island and Pass-A-Grille. Learn more at https://www.stpetebeach.org/756/Post-Storm-Updates.

For more details, visit https://www.stpetebeach.org/756/Post-Storm-Updates

GET INVOLVED  For more information, contact protectstpetebeach@gmail.com

  1. Sign The Petition  www.ProtectStPeteBeach.com  
  2. Attend St. Pete Beach City Council meetings to stay informed. https://www.stpetebeach.org/250/Agendas-Minutes
  3. Learn more on the website:  www.ProtectStPeteBeach.com
  4. Donate time or money to the Protect St. Pete Beach PAC.
  5. Email or write a letter to St. Pete Beach City Commissioners. https://www.stpetebeach.org/222/City-Commission
  6. Post on your social media and let your neighbors know what’s going on. 
  7. Like us on social media

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