Town Hall Meeting #4 for Input to Develop the New Property (555 150th Avenue)

MINUTES TOWN HALL MEETING #4 FOR INPUT TO DEVELOOP THE NEW PROPERTY AT 555 150TH AVENUE FEBRUARY 7, 2026 11:00 A.M. A public town hall meeting was held to gather community input on the future use and redevelopment of the recently acquired property located at 555 150th Avenue. The session was designed as an interactive forum to gather resident feedback and explore potential site concepts. City officials present at the meeting: Clint Belk, Acting City Manager/Fire Chief Megan Wepfer, Public Works Director Marci Forbes, Community Develsopment Director Andrew Morris, Long Range Planner Brian Crabtree, Marina Manager Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks Commissioner Housh Ghovaee Commissioner Tagliarini 1. Entertainment Acting City Manager and Fire Chief Clint Belk welcomed attendees and introduced the city staff present: Public Works Director Megan Wepfer, Marina Manager Brian Crabtree, Community Development Director Marci Forbes, Deputy Fire Chief John Mordellite, and City Clerk Clara VanBlargan. Chief Belk explained that after previous town hall meetings, staff gathered 112 suggestions, categorized them, and reduced them to about 80 ideas in three categories: entertainment, outdoor activities, and water/marina activities. Several attendees asked about entertainment options for the property. A resident inquired about the possibility of a riverwalk or baywalk. Chief Belk stated that outdoor activities would be considered. He confirmed that constructing underneath the bridge was feasible with proper coordination with FDOT. A resident raised concerns about the property’s return on investment. Chief Belk acknowledged this was an important consideration, noting they wanted to balance community desires with fiscal responsibility, since options like open space and dog parks would not generate revenue. The resident suggested that if the space were mainly a park, the city could charge vendors fees for events. Page 1 of 3 Another attendee inquired about linking the property to Johns Pass to bridge tourism between the two sites. Chief Belk mentioned that in previous meetings, suggestions had been made for boat docks and a marina expansion to support a boat shuttle connecting the property and Johns Pass. Residents discussed the possibility of including a parking garage on the property. One resident suggested that a parking garage could be designed to be aesthetically pleasing, possibly with only two levels and proper shrouding to minimize visual impact. Chief Belk noted that staff had already discussed making any potential parking garage aesthetically appealing. A resident suggested the property should aim to be a high-quality destination, comparing it to the St. Petersburg Pier. Chief Belk acknowledged the idea, noting that suggestions such as the Coachmen Park model, a wharf with shipping containers, an amphitheater, and live music were among the entertainment options under consideration. There was discussion about avoiding making the property too similar to Johns Pass, as this might detract from Johns Pass rather than complement it. Staff indicated they were aiming to create two distinct areas. Potential commercial aspects were briefly discussed, with staff noting that the overwhelming preference was for a restaurant. A resident emphasized the importance of favoring local businesses over big brands to maintain Madeira Beach's character as a local community. 2. Outdoor Activities Residents discussed the potential for preserving green space on the property. One attendee highlighted that the 4.5-acre parcel with significant waterfront was a rare opportunity, suggesting that while the marine-facing side could generate revenue, the interior land side could be preserved as a natural area to help reestablish Madeira's namesake woods. Community Development Director Marci Forbes noted that green space would be incorporated regardless of the final design, explaining: "This is a great opportunity to capture some biodiversity in our design and be very, very green, very resilient." She emphasized that, even with hardscape buildouts, they could be mindful of natural environment considerations, such as water runoff and sunlight, to create a green infrastructure that is environmentally friendly and forward-thinking. Forbes further explained that the property's location in coastal zones would dictate construction requirements, with portions in a velocity zone and coastal A Zone affecting what could be built at grade level. One attendee asked about kayak and paddleboard access, concerned about safety around powerboats in the area. Chief Belk confirmed this was already included in the marina/water activities category, noting they would need to consider proper placement of such launches for safety. 3. Water/Marina Marina Manager Brian Crabtree reported that marina operations were extremely profitable, with all slips currently full and approximately 400 people on the waiting list for both wet slips Page 2 of 3 and dry storage. He noted receiving 5-6 calls daily from people seeking slips, indicating a significant shortage in Pinellas County. Crabtree explained that many privately owned marinas had been sold to larger corporations, which now charge premium rates, creating a need for affordable boating options for recreational boaters. Regarding marina expansion, Crabtree confirmed that day docks would likely be included in plans if the property were developed as a park or restaurant, allowing boaters to temporarily dock while visiting. He noted that expansion would require environmental impact studies and permitting to determine how far into the water they could extend the marina. Residents inquired about the submerged land lease that would dictate how far docks could extend into the water. Crabtree and Forbes explained that the lease has specific boundaries that "jog around" rather than extending uniformly from the shore. Deputy Fire Chief Mortellite asked whether they should begin the process of extending the submerged land lease sooner rather than later. Crabtree agreed, noting it would likely be one of the first actions taken after rezoning. Community Development Director Forbes explained that the rezoning process would take until approximately the end of the year and would include public workshops and meetings. She outlined that development would likely begin at the water's edge and be built back, with infrastructure such as power and sewer installed before any buildings. Forbes added that construction grants typically require projects to be "shovel-ready," so detailed plans must be in place before pursuing such funding. The possibility of purchasing an adjacent property (referred to as "Dean Pruitt's property, the fish house") was discussed as potentially important for maximizing the site's potential. Chief Belk confirmed that possibilities had been explored but did not elaborate further to avoid compromising any potential negotiations. Next Steps Director Forbes outlined the next steps in the process: • Continue with the rezoning back to C-4, which would happen simultaneously with the visioning process • Learn what neighboring communities experience and issues they face. Conclusion Chief Belk concluded that the next town hall would likely feature visual renderings of potential designs for the property, based on the feedback received. He thanked everyone for attending and noted they would be notified of the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m. Page 3 of 3