For further understanding of this Comprehensive Plan Update please see these additional resources:
- Please click Public Events to access scheduled Public Hearing dates and recordings of the virtual presentations.
- Comprehensive Plan Policy Comparison
- Please see responses to submitted comments (through October 29, 2021). Additional responses to comments (through April 2022).
What Is PLANPinellas?
At A Glance
- Updates Pinellas County’s comprehensive plan, a set of policies that guides county decisions for land use, mobility, natural resource conservation, public health and safety, economic development and more.
- Provides guidance to our 24 municipalities to ensure better coordination across the entire county.
- Every county in Florida is required by state law to maintain a comprehensive plan to manage growth and ensure long-term sustainability.
Pinellas County is updating its long-range plan to guide everything from how our neighborhoods and business community evolve, to how we continue to protect natural resources and promote public health and safety.
PLANPinellas is the proposed policy document that guides decision-making by setting policies for future land use, mobility, public services and many other issues that shape the quality of life for nearly one million residents.
Major Topics Of The Plan
A countywide plan must address complex social, economic and environmental issues to improve quality of life for our residents. PLANPinellas can be seen as a wide range of policies visualized as five primary gears, all moving each other and turning around a core vision: to build a better future together where everyone can thrive.
PLANPinellas supports five key components of a community including Housing, Jobs, Education, Mobility and Livability. These components influence development patterns, protect natural resources and improve services that enhance our quality of life. Select a gear to learn more about each component and view individual Plan chapters.
Mobility
In our densely-populated, diverse community, the local transportation system must be varied enough to serve everyone’s needs. That means safe, convenient travel for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and transit riders, especially finding new ways to link population centers with job locations, businesses, parks and other basic services.
Relevant Chapter
Jobs
Attracting and retaining high-wage jobs, whether through small entrepreneurs or larger companies expanding in our community, is essential for a strong, resilient local economy. Setting policies that continue to make Pinellas County an attractive place to do business is a top priority.
Relevant Chapter
Vision
The Vision details how the plan aims to meet the complex challenges of the future. The principles supporting the vision address key issues identified by our community: economic and environmental sustainability, creating healthy communities, offering quality housing options, providing multimodal transportation, using smart technology and building partners to promote responsible regionalism.
Relevant Chapter
Housing Options
Safe, quality housing located near jobs, schools, basic services and recreation is an essential need for every resident. Spurring housing options that are affordable and accessible to everyone is key to this community’s future.
Relevant Chapter
Livability
How do we make the best use of our natural resources while improving the services and amenities that make Pinellas County a favored place to call home? Livability means safe neighborhoods with convenient access to parks, businesses, transportation and cultural activities that improve residents’ health and quality of life. It’s based on stewardship of the natural environment – protecting our coastline, green spaces, water and air quality, while minimizing risks from hazards such as flooding and sea level rise. It is sustained by consistent everyday services, such as sustainable drinking water and solid waste management.
Relevant Chapters
Education
Education is the foundation for a skilled workforce to support businesses looking to grow here. Linking the County’s educational system – from pre-kindergarten to college – to the evolving job market ensures workers today and tomorrow can thrive in this community.
Relevant Chapter
Envisioning Our Future
This plan was tailored to address the changing needs specific to Pinellas County, a coastal peninsula that has become Florida’s most densely-populated community.
PLANPinellas is the result of a multiyear process, that was kicked-off with a series of public meetings, digital outreach and in-depth coordination with local partners to define our community vision. This fall, you – the Pinellas community, are invited to share your thoughts about the proposed plan, which will be scheduled to go to the Board of County Commissioners in early 2022. This website offers an opportunity to review the entire draft plan and provide your feedback.
The Vision details how the plan aims to meet the complex challenges of the future.
Draft Chapters Of The Plan
What Is New In The Plan?
Pinellas County has changed a lot since our last comprehensive plan update in 2008. Our public policy must evolve to match our changing community. Here are a few examples of how the updated plan addresses some of the key challenges and opportunities for our future.
Mobility
- Introduces policies to enhances safety for all types of transportation users as more people use alternative transportation.
- Promotes a multimodal network with expanded alternatives to car travel, such as trails, sidewalks, bike facilities, and public transit stations.
Land Use
- Updates policies to promote targeted redevelopment vs. new development to make the most of the County’s limited available land.
- Promotes redevelopment in urban centers and corridors, especially multi-use, multifamily housing.
Public Health
- The Health in All Policies approach aims for equitable access to countywide medical, mental health and nutritional resources.
Sustainability
- Continues to preserve the County’s valuable green spaces.
- Accounts for sea-level rise and increased flood vulnerability in development and public safety decision-making.
Economic Strength
- Expands opportunities to maintain and build affordable housing to sustain our local workforce.
- Supports small businesses and companies seeking to relocate and bring new jobs to the County.