ST. PETE BEACH — City commissioners presented the developer of a revamped Corey Landings project with a lengthy list of demands Oct. 14 before agreeing to vote on the proposal.

After nearly four hours of deliberation, commissioners delayed action on a first reading ordinance that would allocate 25 residential units from the city’s density unit pool reserve, along with a conditional use permit for the mixed-use development. The items will be reconsidered at the Oct. 28 meeting, giving the developer time to address commissioners’ demands.

City planner Brandon Berry told commissioners the developer, KT Corey Ave., is requesting 133 luxury condominium units in three towers reaching 86 feet in height. The project has been significantly downsized from a 2022 proposal for 243 apartments and was further reduced after a community meeting.

“The request as currently proposed is a significant reduction in project scope from the project presented at the February 2025 community meeting,” Berry said.

The developer is returning 125 units to the reserve unit density pool that were approved in 2022 but is requesting permission to use 25 residential units from that pool.

The project includes 11,000 square feet of commercial space, with a 4,500-square-foot restaurant and 6,000 square feet of retail. The developer also plans a public park and a 39-slip dock, with four slips dedicated to restaurant and retail visitors and 35 reserved for residents.

Since the original Corey Landings project was approved in 2022, the former Charlie’s Transmission and Blue Parrot Restaurant have been demolished and vacant parcels added to the development site.

Attorney Elise Batsel, representing the developer, said the property has struggled to attract successful development since 2007-08 and has changed hands multiple times.

“New development would revitalize an area that’s essentially been abandoned and left to grow weeds and to hold the stormwater facility equipment from the city,” Batsel said. “We’re excited about what this project can bring to the east end of Corey Avenue.”

Community benefits

Mayor Adrian Petrila said the proposed community benefits were insufficient.

“I appreciate the initial effort, but that is all that it is — an initial effort, because many of the things that are on this list are things you’re going to have to do anyway,” Petrila said. “So you’re not giving us anything extra, above and beyond; there’s not an additional community benefit.”

The mayor noted the developer would be required to repair the seawall and add landscaping regardless of whether the 25 density pool units were approved.

“We’re going to have to look and see what community benefits we can bring to the table here in exchange for the allocation from the density pool,” Petrila said.

The mayor said four public boat slips — down from eight in a previous iteration — was inadequate and suggested the developer provide eight slips, including one for kayak or paddleboard launches. He also requested additional shade in the proposed park and raised the possibility of a water taxi dock to reduce traffic.

Ken Metcalf, a planner working with the developer, countered that the project exceeds code requirements and noted its density is half that of the previous proposal.

“I’m not arguing with that, and in fact I appreciate it very much,” Petrila responded. “However, my responsibility as a steward of the city’s assets is to make sure that if you ask for something, I don’t give it away for nothing, and the community receives something of like value.”

Several concerns

Commissioner Jon Maldonado said he saw no compensation for improvements to the sanitary sewer collection system, which runs approximately 1.5 miles from the development to pump station one.

Scot Gilner, a civil engineer representing the developer, said the team would replace an 800-foot segment of infrastructure from Bay Street and Corey Avenue to Boca Ciega as part of the development cost. He added the developer is willing to contribute up to $250,000 to line or repair sections of the stormwater system.

Commissioner Lisa Robinson said she is “very concerned about traffic” and will require traffic calming measures along Gulf Winds Drive and Bay Street.

“That’s kind of nonnegotiable for my neighborhood,” Robinson said. She asked the developer to work with the Florida Department of Transportation to eliminate the turn lane at Mangrove Street and suggested closing a section of Bay Street so it would dead-end around 73rd Avenue.

When Batsel questioned whether residents would support closing their street, Robinson replied: “Absolutely. I’ve already been talking to them.”

Batsel noted the developer lacks authority to close a city street.

“I like the project — I’d like to see something over there,” Robinson said. “I think all the residents I talked to are excited about it, but again, they’re not willing to give it up for free. There’s been too much that has been given away for free, and the residents are a lot wiser and the commission is probably a lot tougher.”

Batsel told commissioners the development team would return to the Oct. 28 meeting “with a better proposal that addresses your concerns in a more comprehensive way.”