St. Petersburg City Council gave initial approval on July 20 to four referendum measures that will appear on the November ballot, covering the removal of two protected park lots, extensions of submerged land leases at Harborage Marina, increased lease limits at the Port of St. Petersburg, and updates to the city charter following the 2022 shift to even‑year elections.

The council set public hearings for July 23, after which the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections will finalize ballot language. The measures are ordered with a $600 million stormwater bond at the top of the ballot.

The first measure asks voters to delete the Methodist Town and Jamestown lots from the city’s protected park and waterfront map, a step that could permit the properties to be sold for affordable or workforce housing. The nine lots have been protected since a 1984 charter amendment, though they have never served as parks; the city acquired them as buffers for the Jamestown Apartments and Townhomes. Four lots are comparable to standard single‑family parcels, while the remaining five could accommodate about 37 housing units. Neighborhood leader Isabella Rios requested that seven of the nine lots be removed, preserving two as community space, arguing that the city can both build needed housing and retain green space. Council members have agreed to meet with neighborhood representatives before the second reading on July 23.

The second measure would extend the city’s lease of submerged lands at Harborage Marina, supporting planned upgrades to the marina. The third measure would raise lease limits at the Port of St. Petersburg, giving officials greater flexibility for long‑term projects and partnerships. The fourth measure would revise charter language to fully implement the 2022 change that moved municipal elections from odd‑numbered to even‑numbered years, a adjustment that previously required temporary fixes after each election cycle.

The council approved the package unanimously and directed staff to continue discussions with stakeholders ahead of the final vote. A formal resolution will later confirm the ballot order.

The referendum package now moves to the July 23 hearings and ultimately to the November ballot, where voters will decide on the land‑use changes, lease extensions, and charter updates.