As you are already aware, a site consisting of four (4) parcels of property which collectively represent 0.82 of an acre and which is located at the northeast corner of U.S. Highway 19 and Main Street has been proposed for redevelopment. The property is currently occupied by the following commercial businesses: Boost Mobile, F.I. Grey and Sons, Commercial Realtor, F.I. Grey and Sons, Coldwell Banker, Residential Realtor and West Pasco Spine and Injury. The current ISR for the property is 100%.
Also as you already know, the plans for the redevelopment of the property involve the demolition of the existing buildings on the properties and the establishment of a 3,490 sq. ft. building in its place. The Land Development Code requires that the ISR for commercially zoned property shall be 70%. The proposed project as it is currently contemplated provides for an ISR of 81%. Therefore, the applicant has requested a variance from the requirement.
From my perspective, the city’s parking and landscape requirements make it difficult to achieve a 70% ISR and the granting of a variance in this case is in conformity with the intent of the ordinance and therefore should be approved.
The Land Development Review Board considered this matter at their meeting on November 19, 2020 and voted in favor of approving the request for the variance.