CLEARWATER – The Board of Pinellas County Commissioners unanimously approved on May 6 an application from the city of Clearwater to construct a pedestrian pier on Clearwater Harbor.
No one spoke during the public hearing and there was no discussion by the commissioners before the vote. The public hearing was necessary because the project exceeds the 500 square foot limit for administrative approval.
According to the application, Clearwater plans to build a pedestrian pier known as The Clearwater Bayfront Promenade. The pier is the first phase of the city’s overall plans for the Clearwater Harbor waterfront.
The county anticipates that Clearwater will submit an application in the future for a municipal marina.
Plans call for the pier to be used for pedestrian activities only, including walking, bicycling, roller blading, etc. Fishing, vehicular access and boating will be prohibited. There are no plans for concessions or restroom facilities on the site.
The proposed 200 foot by 32 foot structure will consist of a platform built on existing pilings from the old Memorial Causeway Bridge. The total area of the proposed structure is 6,400 square feet.
The waterfront width of the city’s property is 1,450 feet. The proposed pier will be located about 830 feet from the north property line and 550 feet from the south property line.
The waterway width is approximately 1,000 feet, and the structure will project 200 feet into the navigable waterway. Depth at the end of the structure exceeds 11 feet at mean low water.
Clearwater also proposes to place additional riprap along the seawall in the project location.
The Department of Environmental Management reviewed the application and reported to the board that it was consistent with the Pinellas County Code. There are no environmental or navigational concerns.
No one spoke in opposition to the project at an administrative hearing on March 31.
