St. Pete denies plans for 12-story condo tower at Marina Bay in southwest St. Pete
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Plans for a new residential tower within the gated waterfront community of Marina Bay in southwest St. Pete were unanimously rejected last week.
St. Petersburg’s Development Review Commission voted to deny both a height variance and a site plan modification for a proposed 12-story, 96-unit condo building on a five-acre vacant parcel on Harbor Way South near Eckerd College.
Since acquiring the 67-acre property from Eckerd College in 2003, developer Reza Yazdani has developed it into a coastal residential community with a deep-water marina and 187 homes, including single-family residences, villas, and condominiums along nearly 2,000 feet of the Intracoastal Waterway.
On Wednesday, Yazdani sought approval for a new 150-foot-tall building, exceeding both current zoning limits and a previously approved plan for the site.
The site was approved in 2005 for a 96-unit residential building with a maximum height of 85 feet. A 2007 citywide rezoning later reduced the allowable height to 36 feet when the property was rezoned to Corridor Residential Suburban (CRS-1).
A proposed 12-story, 96-unit condominium building (in red) within the gated waterfront community of Marina Bay (in blue) in southwest St. Pete was denied approval | Google Maps
According to plans presented to the commission, the new $120 million building would include 96 units, the same number approved under the previously approved plan, with 90 units on the third through twelfth floors and six single-story villas along the southern edge.
The condo units would range from 1,500 to 3,050 square feet, with eight two-story penthouses with four bedrooms each.
Resident amenities would include a third-floor deck with a pool, cabanas, and a sports court, as well as an additional rooftop amenity deck.
A 250-space parking garage would occupy the first two levels with additional surface parking along Harbor Way South.
Site plan for a proposed 12-story, 96-unit condo tower at Marina Bay in southwest St. Pete | Anderson Lane Inc
Attorney Brian Aungst of Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen, representing the developer, argued the height variance was justified due to what he described as a zoning inconsistency created during the city’s 2007 rezoning.
He said the property had been planned for a higher-density residential building and that the current zoning made it “physically impossible” to construct the previously approved 96 units without additional height.
“This property was an oversight in the citywide rezoning,” Aungst told commissioners, arguing the height restriction created a hardship not caused by the current owner.
However, city staff disagreed.
In its staff report, the Planning Department concluded the request failed to meet the criteria required for a height variance, noting the property can still be reasonably developed under existing approvals.
Staff also noted that the proposed building height was “greatly out of character” with surrounding development, where nearby buildings range from one to seven stories.
“There are no other structures located within a quarter mile of the property with a building height of 150 feet,” the report stated.
The entrance to a proposed 12-story condo building within Marina Bay in southwest St. pete | BDG Architects
Dozens of nearby residents came out to voice their opinion during Wednesday’s meeting.
Opponents argued the project would alter the character of the existing low- and mid-rise waterfront community and said the variance request did not meet the legal standard for hardship.
“This is a self-created hardship,” argued registered opponent Kara Brooks.
She stated that when Yazdani purchased the site for $7.75 million in September 2024, he acknowledged the condo building would be “non-conforming” with the zoning.
There were some proponents of the project as well, including Pinellas County Commissioner Renee Flowers, who submitted a letter of support, reading, “The project’s thoughtful design allows for a slimmer main building than an already approved plan for the site. It will improve open spaces, improve drainage, and increase setbacks from the main building, and the views from the similar condominium buildings in the area will not be compromised.”
Commissioners ultimately sided with staff, focusing on the variance criteria and compatibility with the surrounding area.
“As a developer, you should look at what the rules are and apply those rules,” said Commissioner Charles Flynt. “This isn’t going to kill the city if it doesn’t get a variance.”
Resident amenities would include a third-floor deck with a pool, cabanas, and a sports court, as well as an additional rooftop amenity deck | BDG Architects
Commissioner Joseph Griner echoed staff’s concerns about scale while acknowledging the quality of the proposal.
“Unfortunately for the development height, this is out of character,” said Griner, simultaneously complimenting Yazdani’s development team on their design and presentation of the project.
Despite the denial, the site remains entitled for development under the previously approved plan, meaning a 96-unit residential building up to 85 feet high can still be constructed without a variance.
Yazdani is confident the property will be developed into a high-end residential product, marking the completion of the Marina Bay community.
“We remain convinced Marina Bay Residences will be an outstanding project that will reflect the character of Marina Bay and benefit the entire community,” Yazdani said in a statement to St. Pete Rising. “While we are disappointed by the Development Review Commission’s decision, we will continue to explore our options on moving forward with this landmark project.”
