St. Pete Beach hikes fees for big projects and pier boat rent

St. Pete Beach officials met on Oct. 27 to adjust how the city charges for development and maintenance. The session covered three distinct actions: a new fee structure for planning permits, a rent increase for a commercial boat slip, and an infrastructure upgrade for a wastewater lift station.

The commission unanimously approved an ordinance that revises planning and zoning fees. The new rules create three fee tiers for conditional-use permits and two for hardship variances. Charges now depend on project size and the amount of staff time required for review. The top tier applies to complex projects, such as hotels taller than 50 feet or with more than 30 units per buildable acre, as well as commercial spaces exceeding 25,000 square feet. Applicants in this category will pay $3,500. If the Planning Board must also review the application, an additional $900 fee applies. Previous conditional-use fees typically ranged between $500 and $1,000. Commissioners stated the goal is to ensure large developers cover more of the review costs without pricing out smaller businesses.

Commissioners also voted 4-1 to increase the monthly rent for the Offshore Hustler fishing charter. The rate rises from $500 to $700. The charter had previously paid its rent to a former leaseholder rather than the city directly. With another business leaving the pier, Offshore Hustler is the only commercial operator remaining under the old arrangement. City staff proposed a month-to-month deal while officials decide on a long-term strategy. Options include soliciting proposals from other businesses or having the city manage the lease itself. District 4 Commissioner Jon Maldonado initially proposed a rate of $875 per month, or $25 per foot. The final vote settled on $20 per foot. Mayor Scott Tate, Commissioner Al Causey, Maldonado, and Commissioner Karen Marriott voted yes. Vice Mayor Lisa Robinson voted no. The vote authorizes the city manager to sign the agreement at the new rate.

Commissioners approved a conditional-use permit to upgrade Lift Station 4 near the Wharf Restaurant and Pass-a-Grille Marina. The station serves the area south of 21st Avenue and receives wastewater from Lift Station 5. Staff estimated the total project cost at approximately $500,000. Of that amount, about $375,000 is allocated for flood protection measures. Staff recommended keeping the station's platform size, location, and height. They also recommended removing the existing fence, moving a curb, removing part of a raised median, and relocating signs. The project team must coordinate with Duke Energy to protect or move an electrical box, a change that could improve access to the marina. Maldonado supported removing the fence, arguing it served a mostly decorative purpose rather than providing real security.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify the costs associated with changes to the median, a tree, signs, and electrical equipment. Staff had not provided specific figures for those items. The group also discussed the fence at Lift Station 7 in Belle Vista Triangle Park. That station's current permit requires a fence. Staff noted that removing it would necessitate another publicly noticed hearing. Commissioners agreed to revisit fence requirements as part of a broader review of lift station aesthetics, but they did not vote to remove the fence at that location.

The next St. Pete Beach City Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.