ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Pete City Council voted Thursday night after a lengthy meeting to allow adding more units to some single-family homes within the city.
Nearly 3,000 property owners can turn existing homes into quadplexes, no more than four units. It's the latest measure aimed to improve housing in the city amid skyrocketing rent.
During Thursday night's vote, the council was split. The first vote was a tie. Members went and talked with their legal team. The rezoning ended up passing with the amendment that the minimum building setbacks for the interior side go from three feet to five feet.
There are people on both sides of the issue. During the council meeting, people in the public voiced their opinions for hours.
Those against the measure said they worry about factors like congestion and parking. They also argue it would benefit developers more than people.
On the other hand, those in favor feel adding housing units is one way to help keep up with housing demand and argue more people would have options to live in areas at a price they can afford.
"I don't see it that way at all," Stephanie Pitts, a Crescent Heights resident, said.
Pitts said she hopes the city tackles density by looking at other lots that have not been developed.
Others who disagree with the proposal believe the proposal only works in favor of the private sector.
"They do it in the name of progress," Karla Correa with the St. Pete Tenants Union said. "This is not going to help our housing crisis. This is not going to help solve homelessness."
Dubbed the "Missing Middle" housing, city staff recommend building smaller, multi-unit or clustered housing types – from townhomes to fourplexes and courtyard apartments.
Neighbors in favor of the proposal argue the change is necessary.
"Some people told you NTM-1 is a threat to neighborhood character. I think they're misinformed," said one person who spoke at public comments on March 2.
Another person told the council cities have to be allowed to grow and evolve and change.
Properties that could convert must be located 175 feet from the centerline of a designated future major street and have direct connectivity to such street, adjacent to a public alley, and compliant with relevant coastal high-hazard area limitations, according to the agenda.
It's also a means to encourage more people to walk, bike or make use of public transit, according to the city.
Homes that do change must meet certain requirements. For instance, parking, access to alleyways and garbage cans must be included.
A petition in opposition circulating has received more than 3,500 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.
To check if your property would be eligible for zoning changes, visit this link.