Clearwater Residents Invited to Participate in October 20 Community Development Board Meeting

Clearwater residents have an opportunity to engage directly with local development decisions at the upcoming City of Clearwater Community Development Board (CDB) meeting. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The city encourages public participation and provides clear guidelines for how residents can make their voices heard on agenda items.

The CDB meeting will include an oath administered to all participants in public hearing cases, including those who wish to speak. Residents can participate in two main ways: by requesting Party Status for quasi-judicial hearings or by offering general public comments. The city aims to ensure an informed and accessible process for all.

For those seeking deeper involvement in quasi-judicial hearings, Community Development Code Section 4-206 outlines the requirements for requesting Party Status. Individuals granted this status receive specific rights, including five minutes to present to the Board, time for cross-examining witnesses, and three minutes for closing remarks. The CDB Chair will invite those requesting Party Status to identify themselves at the beginning of each applicable case.

Residents not requesting Party Status can still provide comments on a case. The Chair will announce the appropriate time for public comments. Individuals wishing to speak should approach the podium, wait to be recognized, then state and spell their name and provide their address. Speakers are limited to three minutes, though a Chairperson may authorize up to 10 minutes for individuals representing a group.

The City of Clearwater fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and offers accommodations for participants. Assisted listening devices are available. Residents requiring special accommodations should advise the city at least 72 hours prior to the meeting by calling 727-562-4567. For specific questions about a case, residents can contact the assigned planner from the Planning and Development Department at the same number. Further information is available online through the Clearwater Citizens Guide to Community Development Board Hearings at http://myclearwater.com/communitydevelopmentboard.