Long-debated plans to demolish seven structures within the Downtown St. Petersburg National Register Historic District and build a 21-story, $134 million luxury apartment tower can now move forward.
Development Review Commissioners voted 4-1 Wednesday to approve the 370-unit project, dubbed The Pelican. Their approval followed two hearing postponements and a deferral as St. Petersburg-based Stadler Development worked to address city and community concerns.
However, the firm did not reduce the mixed-use development’s height. Commissioners ultimately decided that preserving naturally occurring affordable housing and neighborhood character was beyond their control, and that the project aligns with downtown zoning…