Here are five sample letters on this topic.
If you would like to let your elected representatives and city staff know your thoughts on the subject, you can easily copy/paste the content of any of these letters into email, edit it as you see fit, and send the email to:
mayor@stpete.org
council@stpete.org
with a copy to:
elizabeth.abernethy@stpete.org
derek.kilborn@stpete.org
cynthia.sheppard@stpete.org
president@stpetecona.org
OR, JUST CLICK HERE TO CREATE A PREADDRESSED, EMPTY EMAIL MESSAGE
Sample letter 1:
Respectfully, I ask that you exempt ADUs in the Coastal High Hazard areas of St. Petersburg. The character of my neighborhood is at risk when you add to the density. I bought in this neighborhood specifically to insure I would be living amongst other homeowners and not renters. Adding numbers of builds to obviously include more people makes no sense. We are asked to evacuate when hurricanes to our City are imminent. Why add to the number of people, especially elderly, during those times?
The pattern and compatibility of our neighborhood should not be put at risk for ADUs. They should be considered in other areas of Pinellas County not near flood zones.
Sample letter 2:
The recently enacted Vision 2050 addresses the great importance of protecting community and neighborhood character. While considerable information has been provided the public regarding the location of additional ADUs throughout the city there’s been little to address how that expansion would assure that the Vision 2050 requirements for neighborhood character and compatibility are assured. I would also draw your attention to the flooding component in the coastal high hazard areas. Why add to the density in areas that are already prone to flooding? It seems to me that by adding more structures and therein reducing the permeable surfaces, the city would be adding to the flooding problem rather than helping with a housing issue. I respectfully ask that you not approve the building of ADUs in the coastal high hazard zone.
Sample letter 3:
Hear what the experts say about the effects of rising temperature on our City and our waters. Tampa Bay has risen almost eight inches since 1946. For that reason I ask why there could be any logic in promoting the development of ADUs in the coastal high hazard areas? We know the waters will continue to rise and instead of further build outs in the CHHA, we need to manage development to prevent further degradation. Allowing more build outs reduces the permeable surface for drainage. Adding to density is exactly the wrong move under these conditions. Additionally I want to maintain the character and desirability of our neighborhood and not dot it with small structures to take away the character of my neighborhood. ADUs are not compatible with our neighborhood and I ask you to reject this ADU amendment in the Coastal High Hazard Area.
Sample letter 4:
I write you today asking that you exempt ADUs from approval in the Coastal High Hazard Areas. Besides the fact that they do not fit the pattern and compatibility of our neighborhood, building ADUs means more concrete and less permeable surface. Additionally, our neighborhood does not have alleys making parking a serious issue. Quite a bit of my neighborhood has no sidewalks and reduction of parking requirements would exacerbate this issue. Has the City considered the impact of these potential changes to our infrastructure? The recent sewage spills have cost us dearly and I hear little about how tax dollars are being spent to upgrade our aged system. ADUs will have an impact on every neighborhood! Don’t make changes to our neighborhoods without considering these adverse consequences. The charm, desirability and rich history of coastal neighborhoods is too important to lose!
Sample letter 5:
Respectfully, I ask that you disallow the builds of ADUs in the Coastal High Hazard Areas. A big concern is the stress on our city’s infrastructure which is years old and with the additional density, compounds that problem. More population requires more water, sewer, electrical, cable and drainage is already an issue! Flooding will not decrease in the CHHA. While the impervious surface ratio will remain the same, adding 800 square feet plus of building per lot will obviously have a significant impact on ground water absorption. Cat 6 hurricanes are already being discussed in the scientific community. A flood vulnerability mitigation plan should be required prior to any further approved development in the Coastal High Hazard Area.
