[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6357471,"mediaKeyId","2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531","parentId",2215032,"title","Proposed hotel and retail at 405 Coronado: council hears development agreement and traffic concerns","audioSeconds",30,"startMs",394532,"endMs",424815,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531&start=394&end=424","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531/thumbnail_394532.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357471/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Proposed-hotel-and-retail-at-405-Coronado-council-hears-development-agreement-and-traffic-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357471-eabdb49664bd0a1479ef72fa2cf8da0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194282&Signature=RSwXKvjskXK4hIDpVknYkMrtVOBSfpARaclHhAcJH2LCrkdi5nAvcxo0iWWAG-~AJs71h8W-FRJMx5XQRmZVbcpmFhfahqK94~bUZkUfvikVbSZ8W7iWW90YV2V41Ner~RUUQqPQkV7Blzge6AMr0pQLr5mTf~rJSzxfK29jVwHaT-TI72P6nLWyvu-qeSbUihSMCM5PYGq-TSCx3r5h~xdyZb05zJ97WvVplHsXayWGVrFkdz-iLKaum1SRQGM~EfJwGOoUcpQB2LMloXOyUdQFecrSRbgjMEZzwtQ-5yHDsiPhVAYJ3GXtAG9TKgKUigcm41FQCzP0nhcMZrS52w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clearwater, FL","date","2025-02-03T20:10:57Z","article","City planning staff and the developer presented a proposed development agreement on Feb. 3 to allocate 100 units from the hotel density reserve for a project at 405 Coronado Drive that would build 135 overnight accommodation units plus retail and restaurant space.

A planner representing the applicant said the proposal would have 135 hotel units, about 20,000 square feet of retail and 6,825 square feet of restaurant space on a 1.759-acre site. Staff said the current proposal reduces hotel units from a previously approved 166 to 135 to allow for additional amenity, retail and restaurant space while keeping overall intensity at or below the previously approved development assumptions under the Beach by Design plan and the city’s comprehensive plan.

Council members asked about parking and public availability: staff said the building’s garage would include roughly 400 spaces, with about 50 designated for public use. Council discussion focused on traffic and the capacity of South Beach roads. Several members said vehicle congestion on Coronado and adjacent corridors has grown worse, citing recent delays of 30–60 minutes during peak periods and spring-break traffic. One council member suggested trials of one-way street configurations and other traffic-management measures but acknowledged such changes have mixed local support and could require study.

Staff said the site’s previously approved density and infrastructure assumptions support the requested allocation and that project sites in the Beach by Design area were anticipated at those densities. Several council members nonetheless asked staff to continue evaluating roadway, parking and pedestrian impacts and to consider design and traffic-mitigation measures as the development moves through planning reviews. No final council action was taken on the development agreement at the Feb. 3 meeting; staff sought direction and further review.

Notes: Staff and council agreed to continue review of traffic and parking impacts and to ensure coordination with infrastructure capacity analyses as the project proceeds through formal land-use and permitting steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Clearwater - DDB / CRA / Pension / Council Work Session - 2/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff presented a development agreement for 405 Coronado Drive proposing 135 overnight accommodations and 20,000 square feet of retail; council members pressed on parking and traffic issues.","taxTitle","Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",4656,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357477,"Clearwater summarizes federal housing and community development spending in FY2023–24 CAPER",27,301106,328865,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531&start=301&end=328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531/thumbnail_301106.jpg","/articles/6357477/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Clearwater-summarizes-federal-housing-and-community-development-spending-in-FY202324-CAPER","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357477-8588837498a869dc56078309599444ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194282&Signature=S5x6YwH2W4bB2NJbra9E9e3TaFT5zu1F35uvV-9reFCnG~a~xFP862z6es9k4V9~ZQ-lU8Rqqb3b0bKSW5LKimtvCVlfXv8CdTMa3M3iIG5n107QgckalAgpcM-GfYHCUn7GaMba8EJi4vIQKjLKyhSaXuQv0g~0h3a45SnipCBPW28xiSsuAT4zCHO~WrYg3nsW~4KewZdlUTkHrM5cvEVECRl1~WcOFhBtS~ejC3TVgnA8HHt7PyQlb88nGoFYEUFojwknDNBXMQGONyMNx618uHQADBbIVOFLef2cMbRCIBECBLtm~H3y2wiOLexj5IGY2iWOvu5-eGPKIKAAyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on Feb. 3 presented the City of Clearwater’s Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for fiscal year 2023–24, summarizing federal funding uses, housing accomplishments and community-development activity required for federal reporting to HUD.

Dylan Mayhew, acting housing manager, said the CAPER pulls federal data from HUD’s IDIS system and supplements narratives with state and local data. Highlights in the presentation included assistance to 64 applicants for housing-related services, construction of 14 rental units and rehabilitation of 179 rental units as part of the Palmetto Preservation project. Additional activity included 48 units at Norton Apartments funded with SHIP, six newly constructed homeowner units with federal funds and seven additional homeowner units using SHIP, 10 homeowner rehabilitations (a mix of federal funds and SHIP), and 19 down-payment assistance awards funded by a mix of ARPA, SHIP and HOME funds.

Mayhew additionally noted approval and funding for an 81-unit tax-credit development (Clearwater Gardens) under construction. For public facilities, the city expended $1,675,939 on 15 projects (10 completed, five ongoing) including safety and facility improvements for nonprofit partners and a playground using CDBG-CV funds. The city expended $292,765 for operational support of 11 public services, with $136,917 in CDBG and $155,848 in CDBG-CV funding. Staff reported $161,800 in technical assistance to Prospera and Upwards to assist 42 microenterprise businesses.

Mayhew explained program rules and budget nuances, including that HOME funds often roll over and CDBG public service spending is capped at 15% of annual entitlement. He said the public housing authority (reported separately) assisted 952 voucher clients and 245 public-housing families. Staff emphasized ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with federal rules.

Council members thanked staff and emphasized the CAPER’s importance for continued federal and state program participation. Staff said the CAPER will be uploaded to HUD after council approval.

Clarifying details: figures reported in the CAPER reflect federal funding in HUD reporting tables; narratives incorporate nonfederal programs for context; specific funding sources cited include CDBG, HOME, CDBG-CV, SHIP, ARPA and the Pinellas County Housing Trust Fund.","City staff presented the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) summarizing federal and related housing and community development activity: housing units constructed and rehabbed, public facilities spending, public services, and technical assistance to microenterprises.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357481,"Clearwater council opens discussion on fluoridation; schedules fuller review for April meeting",249,467440,716800,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531&start=467&end=716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531/thumbnail_467440.jpg","/articles/6357481/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Clearwater-council-opens-discussion-on-fluoridation-schedules-fuller-review-for-April-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357481-33ac39c42db82968fb101e8993ed9f09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194282&Signature=Z5it2Fx-jFwTD1qAtP3iPaA~PWli01bp9yhA8TpG-07bOkvuERCcakYNVFamEbkjFBv-8eOVtN5cEiaMJeVI2K2dvKJ4SNQbeMgEE04IEaGi9dSp-jlkviijgsseD68PaD~pkwGc0k6LNa8UtcFZIEoxGjB2cvrkMwr8fijwxP7NO2JYtvl8Yk7qau6rHbWgT5Gx0jVT-BTF8MW5iXpLQzAkyMkk3GyhdgvTlzcE701igTP1m7xDdDeGwHgDEsk~uMSnDa9KimYU-OfdddpdUBisazVeE4FKI9X9Qw8s~C4MXtzClV3pE7x7LxqHnKpNHhnW3zYJ4hoIYnfrk19efw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Clearwater council member raised the question of removing fluoride from the city’s drinking water during the Feb. 3 work session, triggering a broad discussion and a decision to schedule a fuller review for the council’s first meeting in April.

The council member who introduced the matter summarized scientific studies and recent actions in other jurisdictions, citing a September 2024 federal court ruling and a January 2025 JAMA network review that they said linked fluoride in drinking water to reduced IQ in children and other health concerns. They told colleagues the city currently spends about $50,179 annually on fluoride treatment and urged the council to consider removing systemic fluoridation in favor of topical measures such as toothpaste and mouthwash.

Several council members urged caution. One council member with clinical research experience said many online studies are poorly controlled, recommended relying on randomized and peer-reviewed trials and suggested the council seek expert medical and neuroscientific review before making policy changes. The city attorney explained council rules and recommended using the regular work-session process to give council members time to prepare; the attorney noted that individual council members do have the right under the charter to place items on the agenda, but that bringing items to future work sessions avoids blindsiding colleagues.

Council members discussed timing and public engagement. Some council members requested that any future review include historical materials previously prepared for prior city discussions and suggested staff gather prior analyses and technical details about which portions of the city's water supply are treated locally versus supplied by other utilities. Aware that portions of the city’s water distribution are provided in partnership with adjacent systems, council members asked staff to clarify the technical and jurisdictional implications of any change.

By consensus the council set the item for further discussion at the first regular council meeting in April to allow members and staff time to assemble scientific background, treatment-cost information, and an outreach plan for public input. Several council members also said they favored public hearings or other engagement before any decision was made. No policy decision to add or remove fluoride was taken at the Feb. 3 work session.

Comments and next steps: the council asked staff to compile prior materials, water-treatment system coverage and cost detail and to circulate those materials to council members well before the April meeting; members asked for time to review independent scientific evidence and for a plan to solicit community input before voting on any change.","Council members debated removing fluoride from the city’s drinking water, with proponents citing recent studies and a federal court ruling and opponents urging more scientific review and public engagement. The council agreed to schedule a fuller review at the first April council meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357486,"City staff identifies 85 Clearwater-owned parcels for possible surplus; trustees told residential lots will go to market first",64,159149,224129,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531&start=159&end=224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531/thumbnail_159149.jpg","/articles/6357486/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-staff-identifies-85-Clearwater-owned-parcels-for-possible-surplus-trustees-told-residential-lots-will-go-to-market-first","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357486-f838c593c470fcbd288d39f55fdc0871/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194282&Signature=CM~Q6LKtoaHTlbZbtGtNrdHleQ~OL4KzzvvsGpecRJ9jfs0AJSwwwfXrGnd2xDkLq0MFyVm5qmtnT7w9I74FVeoPIWVsU1oAVNvSoV6b-9dA-2f71kdMbwMgIwG8xgVmD9EQzUkAO8xxz~PW12BvIKDlBuGYhq~vJPQiaTWj-bzRtsd1YYIsb0N7uGickuRWAJJ0nvsQ6u9oUeCDr4hn~P~BQ6eRBwuCDv6XLAfJ2EAzCu4kVkiiHBA4eAgIkT4a5RBGwoIlWHqcIRHEZ7~8VG1fJG~uJEW8VWiU8561XbUnsFrIv26y0aPdPDZ2xo2VQSUhCYrbHIqSOPIrAsDMOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Clearwater staff on Feb. 3 presented an initial evaluation that identified 85 city- and CRA-owned properties as possible surplus and outlined a staged strategy for marketing and disposal.

Phil Kirkpatrick, economic development and housing, led the presentation and said staff began with a list of more than 400 city-owned parcels, sought departmental input, and narrowed the list to 85 candidate properties. He described four categories: undevelopable parcels (e.g., small remnants from road work), residential parcels suitable for single-family or multifamily development, North Greenwood CRA parcels (both residential and commercial) that may be sold individually or packaged, and commercially zoned parcels suited for denser development or site packages.

Kirkpatrick showed map examples: a triangular undevelopable parcel near Landmark Drive, a 91,100-square-foot low-medium density residential parcel east of Clearwater Country Club, four adjacent parcels near Curtis Elementary in North Greenwood that could be sold together, and several downtown gateway parcels that could be combined for larger mixed-use projects. He said staff’s recommendation was to market the residential category first in curated groups to avoid flooding the market and depressing values.

Trustees asked about timing and next steps. City staff said some parcels already are posted on the city website to facilitate developer inquiries; trustees were told the process for final surplus declarations would include departmental and community input and come back to the CRA trustees and city council for formal approval. Jesus Nino, CRA executive director, and Phil Kirkpatrick cited one parcel, 1105 Carlton Avenue, that already moved through an evaluation committee and is expected to return to trustees with a recommendation after receipt of proposals.

Multiple trustees said they supported starting with residential parcels to reduce city maintenance costs and place properties back on the tax rolls. Trustees also asked for community engagement in North Greenwood before final action.

Kirkpatrick said staff will return with a detailed marketing plan and recommendations for specific parcels to officially surplus, and that residential parcels would be the first “go-to-market” group. Trustees did not vote to surplus any parcels during the meeting; staff requested confirmation of the approach and said formal surplus actions would return in future agenda items.

Clarifying notes from staff: staff removed parcels from an initial inventory of 400+ and grouped 85 candidate parcels into four buckets; residential parcels were identified as likely to attract quicker sales and a larger buyer market; staff recommended staggered listings.","City staff presented an evaluation identifying 85 city and CRA parcels that may qualify as surplus, organized into four categories. Trustees were asked to confirm a strategy to market residential parcels first and to provide input on North Greenwood CRA sites before final surplus recommendations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357491,"Clearwater Downtown Development Board approves $6,200 grant for Unimex Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest",3,34102,37205,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531&start=34&end=37","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215032-3de0b77dc18ee6f626de5b13780d7531/thumbnail_34102.jpg","/articles/6357491/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Clearwater-Downtown-Development-Board-approves-6200-grant-for-Unimex-Cinco-de-Mayo-Taco-Fest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357491-1d796ab23fba24b0e7565b7f4e6f78b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194282&Signature=F7B1LIyou4Nyv9l-xlO6crqUVn680gLe5N~keSFu-Ok5TC9n1Smsb7dwL~aEOJJJ0y7YwBE9veLYYP1cPKByqED3Km6gyFioVeQKVJ~2d2E0NE22YUTYdQt1tg64TORiMHqUhvJ-IrcEtz8m8c37BJ-KzQy-Hj~mq063oSBHFM60HbEKruk06xnHQJroFgAEknJb3Oo2QDwjNV5Hwz8r8P0yRhDfpCKtZRiznppeyGLNfg1~ScHD58yjTHmKiFfJvk3VufXJgv08OAmhw~7J1DGnk6sJQe9pJA4kvqdL~33SIFaLwKT41QV1dsU28azVoZLVojXS6Vd8-hwnlBxeAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clearwater Downtown Development Board on Feb. 3 approved a special grant of up to $6,200 to Unimex to support the Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest at Coachman Park on May 4, 2025.

Board members approved staff’s recommendation after a brief discussion of the event’s 2024 turnout and budget. Vicky Shire, CRA division manager, told the board Unimex submitted an event budget of $23,665 and requested $10,800 in DDB grant funds. She said the city has separately approved a $10,000 community special event co-sponsorship that will cover many park expenses. Under Section 3 of the DDB grant policy, Shire said, grants may fund marketing, entertainment, insurance and city fees; staff calculated total eligible expenses at $16,200 and recommended awarding $6,200 to cover insurance, marketing, entertainment and any remaining city fees.

Unimex representatives described last year’s event as community-focused and said they expect about 1,500 attendees. Erica Escamilla, a Unimex representative, said musicians and vendors donated significant support in 2024 and that the organizers hope to reduce vendor fees to encourage participation. Edgar (vice president, Unimex) said the organization will emphasize family-friendly programming and youth employment opportunities.

Board member discussion praised the relatively modest grant request and noted a preference that events grow self-sustaining vendor and sponsorship revenue over time. The board moved and approved the item; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

The city’s Parks and Recreation sponsorship was described as separate from the DDB grant. Shire said Parks and Rec’s $10,000 co-sponsorship is intended to cover city fees, equipment and public communications; the DDB grant would apply only to eligible expenses not already covered by that co-sponsorship.

The board closed public comment with no members of the public speaking on the item. The grant award authorizes appropriate officials to execute related agreements and payments.

Notes: The event will run 2 p.m.–10 p.m. on May 4, 2025, at Coachman Park and is planned as a fee-free community celebration featuring food trucks, vendors, live music and family activities.","The Downtown Development Board awarded Unimex a $6,200 special event grant for the Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest at Coachman Park on May 4, 2025, after staff explained the organization's budget, city sponsorship and eligible expenses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Proposed hotel and retail at 405 Coronado: council hears development agreement and traffic concerns

Clearwater summarizes federal housing and community development spending in FY2023–24 CAPER

Clearwater council opens discussion on fluoridation; schedules fuller review for April meeting

City staff identifies 85 Clearwater-owned parcels for possible surplus; trustees told residential lots will go to market first

Clearwater Downtown Development Board approves $6,200 grant for Unimex Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest