FL Church & Developer Appeal Rejection Of $39 Million Sale Of Church Property For $700K -$800K Homes

Photo byDebby HudsononUnsplash

Some Floridians likely have memories of going to church with their grandparents or attending baptisms, weddings, and funerals at vintage churches that hold great sentimental value but are now looking into the future and must adjust to changing times. And one of these Florida churches, St. Petersburg's Pasadena Community Church, is attempting to facilitate development on property it owns that would make way for luxury homes.

About Pasadena Community Church: This church, located at 227 70th Street South in St. Petersburg, hosted its first worship way back in 1925. Initially, it only had 20 members, but by the 1960s, it added a new building that could seat 2,000. The church's website says it strives to create a welcoming atmosphere for all.

What The Church And The Developer Are Appealing: Pasadena Community Church and developer Onyx & East want to facilitate the sale of a 5.77-acre parcel of land that is owned by the church and located at 6942 1st Avenue South.

However, the St. Petersburg Community Planning and Preservation Commission rejected the planned $39 million residential development of the property in question.

Although Onyx+East wants to rezone the property to build 40 townhomes and 20 single-family detached homes, the Commission denied its application in May of 2024.

The developer and the church have recently appealed the decision. The church would like to use the proceeds to renovate and move its preschool.

If approved, the single-family homes that would be built on the property are expected to start in the mid-$700,000s and go up to the upper $800,000s.

The author is not affiliated with any churches or developers.