NORTH REDINGTON BEACH — Corey Thornton and Kevin Kennedy will be returning to their posts on the Town Commission.
No residents qualified to challenge the incumbents so Thornton, who has held Seat 3 on the commission for four terms since his appointment in 2019, will begin his fifth term in March.
Kennedy, who has been Commissioner Seat 4 for six terms since he was first elected in 2014, will be sworn in again for his seventh term as well. Currently, Thornton’s supervisory area is as commissioner of safety, and Kennedy’s supervisory area is as vice mayor.
A resolution canceling the 2026 municipal election passed unanimously 5-0 at the first Town Commission meeting Jan. 8.
Ordinance increases building height
During old business, an ordinance increasing the maximum height of residential buildings from 30 feet to 36 feet above base flood elevation passed unanimously on its second and final reading.
In the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton, with properties sustaining “substantial damage,” requiring those properties to be brought up to floodplain management standards when being repaired or rebuilt and some property owners “opting to elevate their homes out of the floodplain,” the ordinance increased the maximum height an additional 6 feet above the floodplain from the ordinance it is replacing.
The height increase applies to the RS-150 Residential Single-Family District and RS-60 Residential Single-Family District to accommodate and encourage elevating properties out of the floodplain while also allowing property owners more flexibility in the design of their homes.
Flood risk group introduced
During both public input and again requested by Mayor Jay Super during miscellaneous segments, resident Katrena Hale spoke to introduce the option the town has to participate in the Pinellas County Flood Risk and Mitigation Public Information Working Group.
Hale explained that the group’s focus is to develop, review and update the Program for Public Information regarding anything that has to do with hurricanes and flood risk and mitigation. In their efforts to coordinate consistent messaging countywide, this multi-jurisdictional committee consists of members inside and outside local government.
According to Hale, one town official and one town resident/business owner could represent the town in the group. Participants in the group would be required to attend all the group’s meetings. If the town chooses to participate, the benefit to the town would be a better CRS rating for the town’s insurance.
Mayor Super said he would investigate the possibility further.