Proposed Restrictions on Neighborhood Leaders Serving on City Commissions
Understanding LDR 2026-05 and its impact on neighborhood representation in St. Petersburg.
Last updated: November 15, 2026
Ready to take action?
Timeline and important dates​
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Thursday Nov 19, 2026 · 1:30 p.m. — First reading
City Council is scheduled to consider the first reading and set the public hearing date for the proposed ordinance.
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Thursday December 3, 2026 — Public hearing
City Council is expected to hear public comments and consider the ordinance. Council may adopt, amend, reject or defer the proposal.
What is happening?
The City of St. Petersburg's Planning Department is proposing changes to the City's Land Development Regulations (LDR 2026-05) that would prohibit neighborhood association board members and directors from simultaneously serving on two City commissions:
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Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC)
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Development Review Commission (DRC)
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The proposed restriction is included in a larger package of amendments addressing changes to Florida law, clarifications to existing regulations, and other locally proposed policy changes.
The restriction has not yet been adopted.
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What exactly is being proposed?
The proposed ordinance would amend two sections of the St. Petersburg City Code.
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SECTION 31 — PROPOSED AMENDMENT
16.80.010.2 — CPPC Membership
C. A member of CPPC may not serve as a board member or director of a neighborhood association during their term(s).
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SECTION 32 — PROPOSED AMENDMENT
16.80.020.2 — DRC Membership, Terms, Vacancies and Removal
C. A member of DRC may not serve as a board member or director of a neighborhood association during their term(s).
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The proposed language applies to all neighborhood association board members and directors, not just presidents or other officers.
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Read the full proposed ordinance and City Council agenda packet​​​​​​​​
Ready to take action now?
According to statements made by City staff during the Nov 10 CPPC meeting:
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The issue has previously been discussed informally during commissioner onboarding.
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There has not been an official policy prohibiting simultaneous service.
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Staff recently received public comments regarding potential conflicts of interest.
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The proposed amendment is a staff recommendation intended to address actual or perceived conflicts.
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Several current commissioners also hold neighborhood association leadership positions.
Staff did not identify specific incidents of misconduct or instances in which existing recusal procedures had failed during the recorded discussion.
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A commissioner also expressed concerns that the proposed restriction would limit participation by individuals involved in historic preservation who frequently serve on historic neighborhood association boards.
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Why does this matter to neighborhoods?
Neighborhood association leaders bring firsthand experience in addressing issues that affect residents, including housing, development, transportation, infrastructure, historic preservation and public safety.
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The proposed amendment raises questions about how neighborhood representation is valued in the City's planning and development review process.​
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Affiliation or profession - Specifically prohibited by proposed language?
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Neighborhood president - Yes
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Neighborhood director - Yes
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Neighborhood board member - Yes
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General neighborhood member - No
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Chamber of Commerce board member - No
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Real estate professional - No
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Developer - No
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Construction company owner - No
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Business association board member - No
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The table addresses the proposed restriction only. Other applicable eligibility requirements and ethics rules would continue to apply.
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Existing conflict-of-interest procedures
Commission members already have procedures for addressing conflicts of interest, including disclosure and recusal when appropriate.
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Florida Statute 112.3143 also establishes voting conflict and disclosure requirements for public officers, including appointed officials.
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The proposed ordinance goes beyond addressing conflicts involving individual decisions by establishing a restriction on who may simultaneously serve in certain leadership roles.
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Read Florida's voting conflict statute
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Questions CONA is raising
We support transparency, accountability, public participation and consistent ethical standards in local government.
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In response to this proposal, CONA is seeking further information regarding the following questions:
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What specific public comments prompted this recommendation?
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Have there been documented conflicts that existing procedures failed to address?
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Why is neighborhood association leadership being treated differently from other organizational affiliations?
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How would the amendment affect commissioners currently serving on neighborhood boards?
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Were neighborhood associations consulted before the restriction was proposed?
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Would the restriction extend to leadership positions within CONA or other citywide civic organizations?
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What alternatives to a categorical restriction were considered?
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CONA's concern is that neighborhood leaders should have the same opportunities for public service as other qualified residents, subject to appropriate conflict-of-interest standards.
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Understanding the two commissions
The Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC) and the Development Review Commission (DRC) are voluntary groups of citizens appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
Each Commission is responsible for considering different types of land use and planning related requests:
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CPPC- The CPPC is responsible for reviewing requests such as amendments to the Future Land Use Map, Rezoning requests, and Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) for Local Historic Landmarks and Districts, designation applications, adaptive reuse and other applications relating to historic resources.
DRC- The DRC is responsible for reviewing requests such as site plan approvals, special exceptions, variances, redevelopments, reinstatements, vacations of rights-of-way, and text amendments to the Land Development Regulations. Many public hearings conducted by each Commission, as well as appeals, local landmarks and map amendment-related public hearings conducted by the City Council, are quasi-judicial proceedings, meaning that the hearings are executed similarly to a court proceeding.
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Learn more about City boards and commissions
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Timeline and important dates​
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Thursday Nov 19, 2026 · 1:30 p.m. — First reading
City Council is scheduled to consider the first reading and set the public hearing date for the proposed ordinance.
​
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Thursday December 3, 2026 — Public hearing
City Council is expected to hear public comments and consider the ordinance. Council may adopt, amend, reject or defer the proposal.
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Meeting dates and agendas are subject to change. Residents should consult the latest City Council agenda before attending.
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How to participate at City Council
Residents have several opportunities to participate in the City's legislative process, and share their perspectives.
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St. Petersburg City Hall
175 5th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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Attend and speak in person
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Arrive approximately 15 minutes before the meeting.
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Check with the City Clerk about signing up to speak.
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Identify the proposed ordinance as LDR 2026-05, specifically Sections 31 and 32.
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Follow the Chair's instructions regarding when public comments will be heard.
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Be prepared to provide your name and address when requested.
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Prepare remarks that can be delivered in three minutes or less.
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The City generally provides three minutes for individual public comments. Meeting-specific rules may apply.