Pinellas Comprehensive Plan Update To Be Presented During 2 Zoom Webinars

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Land use, mobility and environmental conservation will be among the topics explored at a pair of webinars this week previewing unincorporated Pinellas County’s proposed comprehensive plan update called PLANPinellas.

County staff will host two Zoom webinars this month to discusss the plan and answer questions:

• Tuesday, Sept. 21 at noon: Future land use, economic prosperity, housing and transportation. Register for Session 1 online.
• Wednesday, Sept. 22 at noon: Natural resources and conservation, coastal management, surface water; and recreation, open space and culture. Register for Session 2 online.

Residents can preview the proposed plan here.

The webinars offer residents a chance to learn more about the final plan draft and ask questions before it goes to the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners for approval in early 2022.

PLANPinellas is the first major update to the county’s comprehensive plan since 2008.

Every county in Florida is required by state law to maintain a comprehensive plan to manage growth and ensure long-term sustainability.

PLANPinellas updates guidance on public health and safety, natural resources, transportation and mobility and other issues that impact quality of life in Florida’s most densely populated county.

It is the result of a multiyear process, including a series of public meetings, digital outreach and coordination with local partners to define a community vision.

The plan provides specific guidance through public policy on areas of unincorporated Pinellas County while coordinating with the 24 municipalities as they update their own plans.

Items addresses include:

Mobility

• Introduces policies to enhance safety for all users of the transportation system, including drivers, transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Promotes a multimodal network with expanded alternatives to car travel, such as trails, sidewalks, bike facilities and public transit stations.

Land Use

• Updates policies to promote targeted redevelopment vs. new development to make the most of the limited available land.
• Promotes redevelopment in urban centers and corridors, especially multi-use, multifamily housing.

Public Health

• The Health in All Policies approach aims to improve the community’s health outcomes through county policies and programs that offer fair opportunities for all residents to make healthy choices.

Sustainability

• Continues to preserve the county’s valuable green spaces.
• Account for sea-level rise and increased flood vulnerability in development and public safety decision-making.

Economic Strength

• Expands opportunities to maintain and build affordable housing to sustain our local workforce.
• Supports small businesses and companies seeking to relocate and bring new jobs to the county.