Commercial setback variance for The Shops at Meres
Summary
A long-vacant 1.83-acre corner at South Pinellas Avenue and Meres Boulevard could get a new multi-tenant retail center, but the developer wants buildings pushed far back from the street, conflicting with the SMART Code's walkable-development vision for the sponge docks gateway. The board denied the variance 2-1 after a lengthy hearing.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 1
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Apr 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
Denial delays redevelopment of a prominent vacant gateway parcel; the applicant must wait a year before reapplying for the same variance.
Supporters of the SMART Code's walkable downtown vision, who see the denial as protecting the character of the city's southern gateway.
The property owner and any future tenants, who remain without an approved path to develop the site after 15 years of attempts.
Mentions & discussions (1)
Related development
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Tarpon Springs
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.