What Could Five or Seven Stories See From 5th Ave N?
HEADS UP, CENTRAL OAK PARK: Across Pinellas County, county and city leaders are rewriting planning rules to encourage more housing and, ideally, more housing people can afford; now St. Petersburg’s Development Review Commission has unanimously recommended allowing taller, denser buildings along many commercial corridors, with City Council deciding what happens next. The proposal would move many sites from today’s 36–48-foot limits toward 60 feet—about five stories—while seven stories has also been discussed. Breezeway used Google Earth near the geographic center of Central Oak Park to give neighbors a simple look at what that change could feel like: at three stories, trees and rooftops still screen much of the surrounding neighborhood; at five, nearby homes and yards become more visible; and at seven, those sightlines can reach several blocks. More height can help create housing, but it does not automatically
create affordability—especially when private developers receive added development value while providing only the minimum required affordable units. That is exactly why Breezeway is testing a community-owned, permanently affordable alternative through our Affordable Housing Innovation Lab: growth should create lasting value for the people who live here, not simply maximize what can be extracted from the neighborhood. Watch, share, and decide whether this is something you want to discuss with City Council before the rules change. breezewayco-op.org
(These graphics are intentionally rough—and if you can help us do better, we would gladly welcome you as a volunteer.)
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