Palm Lake Christian Church, located at 5401 22nd Avenue North, wants to help answer the prayers of St. Petersburg residents who need affordable housing.

The church has submitted a proposal to the city that, if approved, would result in the construction of 86 new affordable housing units. The project consists of a three-story, concrete-and-block building that would contain 66 one-bedroom apartments and six two-bedroom units, as well as seven one-story, free-standing villas with a mix of one and two-bedroom units.

The 86 residential units would be built to LEED energy-efficiency standards, and the development’s amenities would include a community garden, electric vehicle charging stations, native landscaping, and 63 paved vehicular parking spaces, and 8 bicycle parking spaces.

The church first raised the idea of building housing on its 8.32-acre property in May 2022 and in June met with members of the Disston Heights Neighborhood Association to gather feedback about the plan.

According to the notes from a June 6, 2022, meeting of the Disston Heights Neighborhood Association, residents who live near the church see both pros and cons about the project.

“The concerns most often expressed by neighbors included the belief that affordable housing brings crime and/or lowers property values,” the document reads. “Affirmative ideas conveyed by neighbors included housing for seniors/disabled and open areas for neighborhood recreation.” 

In addition to restricting 72 units for families making 60% AMI and below and 14 units for those making 120% AMI and below, 50-80% of the units will be set aside for residents who are permanently disabled. At least 20% of the units will be set aside for families who would otherwise be homeless.

According to a site plan created by OutsideIn Architecture LLC, the cottages would be built on the southeast side of the property, near the intersection of 24th Avenue North and 55th Street North, with the three-story building going up on the parcel’s west side, abutting 53rd Street North. There would be no changes to the existing church buildings and recreation area immediately south of the church’s memorial garden, nor the small lake on the east side of the property.

The southwest corner of the property would be reserved for green space that can be used for recreation or a temporary overflow parking area.

The property is currently zoned Neighborhood Suburban, which generally allows only single-family homes. However, the church is utilizing a law passed by the Florida Legislature in 2020 that expedites affordable housing developments in areas that would otherwise prohibit the development of multifamily housing.

The proposal, which is estimated to cost $27.25 million, is scheduled to be heard before City Council at 5 p.m. on March 2 at St. Petersburg City Hall. City staff has recommended approval.