Despite opposition, St. Petersburg leaders approve church's plan to build affordable apartments

The St. Petersburg City Council approved Palm Lake Christian Church's plan to construct affordable housing for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, despite considerable opposition from local residents. The proposal includes 86 housing units split between a three-story building and 14 cottages on the church's property. During a lengthy public hearing, many neighbors voiced concerns about how the development would fit into the existing single-family home neighborhood and raised fears about potential safety issues related to housing individuals with disabling conditions. Some residents were particularly worried about the proximity of the housing to Northwest Elementary School, fearing that tenants with severe mental illnesses could pose risks to children.

In response to these concerns, the church's development team clarified that they would not seek tenants with serious mental health or substance abuse issues. Instead, the focus would be on providing homes for low-income seniors and individuals with physical disabilities. A small number of homeless occupants would be housed in the cottages, but this was presented as a minor aspect of the overall project. The decision reflects the ongoing challenge of balancing community concerns with the pressing need for affordable housing.