City approves South St. Pete townhome project

A local development firm plans to transform blighted vacant property in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area into attainable townhomes.

St. Petersburg-based Namaste Homes requested two zoning changes that increase density allowances for a .58-acre site in the Cromwell Heights neighborhood. The property at 919 21^st Ave. S. encompasses four parcels and once included two single-family homes.

The affordable housing-focused firm plans to create 28 townhomes at the site. After a brief presentation Aug. 8, city council members unanimously approved associated land use and zoning changes.

“Thank you to Namaste Homes for bringing this forward,” said Councilmember Gina Driscoll. “Seeing the development you’ve already done just north of that on MLK Street South – all I can say is, let’s have some more.”

The unnamed development will sit between 20^th and 21^st Avenues South, directly west of Dr. MLK Jr. Street. The council agreed to change the site’s land use from Planned Redevelopment Residential to Redevelopment Mixed-Use and zoning from Neighborhood Tradition to Multimodal Corridor.

City planner Andrew Jurewicz said Namaste could utilize three adjacent vacant parcels to the west and, with workforce or missing middle housing bonuses, build a total of 35 or 37 units on the combined 1.16-acre site. Administrators found the proposal consistent with several comprehensive plan policies and recommended approval.

“The proposal has the potential to contribute to the provision of safe and sanitary affordable housing,” Jurewicz added. “It provides for an orderly transition from Dr. MKL Jr. Street South to the east and neighboring single-family residences to the west.”

An overhead map of the subject property. Screengrab, city documents.

City officials consider Dr. MLK Jr. Street and 22^nd Ave. South – 350 feet north of the site – high-frequency transit corridors. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority serves both roadways.

In addition, documents state that the site’s “proximity to commercial uses will ensure that future residents will have safe and convenient access to needed goods and services, resulting in reduced automobile trip lengths.”

Jurewicz said the project is “generally compatible” with the neighborhood’s character. A service level impact analysis found the project would not significantly impact municipal utilities, traffic or stormwater management.

The property’s owners demolished two dilapidated single-family homes on the site in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Frederic Samson, president of Namaste, noted in his application that the site “has been vacant for some time and is contributing to urban blight.”

Jurewicz noted that the zoning changes align with the city’s “Housing Opportunities for All” initiative and the county’s “Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact.” He said the project would support affordability by increasing the number of workforce units.

Samson wrote that the 28 townhomes will support “a mix of household incomes in an inclusionary community.” He said the project would increase the number of available homes for those earning below 120% and 100% of the area median income (AMI).

In St. Petersburg, 120% of the AMI is roughly $104,280 for a four-person household. The application states the townhomes “will also be held as fee-simple ownership and restricted to two stories in height. The applicant believes that the development will enhance the value of adjacent properties.”

Namaste completed the 16th Square Townhomes in January. Photo provided.

The city’s Community Planning and Preservation Commission approved the proposal in May. Chair Lisa Wannemacher noted the site plan shows two-story units encompassing 1,300 square feet, “an appropriate modest development in this area.”

Local leaders celebrated Namaste completing the Sixteenth Square Townhomes at 1523 Dr. MLK Jr. Street S. in January. The development provided 11 homeownership opportunities for residents earning less than 100% of the AMI.

The initial maximum home sale price at 16^th Square – less than a half mile from the new proposal – was $275,000. Driscoll credited the firm for an “excellent job” on the previous project.

“You’re really connecting people with homeownership who may not otherwise have that opportunity,” she added. “So, thank you for all that you’re doing. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this in our community.”