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A Guiding Document for Developers
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Tierra Verde residents ask court to overturn approval of 72-foot boat-rack towers on Pinellas Bayway
Developer Caught Violating Public Trust
Greenleaf Marina Expansion Faces Major Regulatory Setbacks
Greenleaf Accused of Violating Public-Access Requirements at Tierra Verde Marina
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In the News
Tierra Verde residents ask court to overturn approval of 72-foot boat-rack towers on Pinellas Bayway.
St. Petersburg ignored the County's 50-foot height limit and let the developer use a hurricane-recovery law to bypass rules intended to protect the island community.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TIERRA VERDE, Fla. — June 9, 2026 — Tierra Verde Next, LLC, representing more than 1,000 residents of the Tierra Verde community, has filed a petition for writ of certiorari in the Sixth Judicial Circuit asking the court to quash the City of St. Petersburg's approval of a major expansion of the Tierra Verde Marina at 100/128 Pinellas Bayway. The City's Development Review Commission (DRC) approved the project on a narrow 4-3 vote following a nearly six-hour public hearing on May 6 at which an overflow crowd of residents urged denial.
The proposal by TV Investment Holdings LLC, the development arm of Greenleaf Capital, would add two 72-foot-tall open boat-rack storage towers — 30 feet taller than the existing marina and longer than a football field. The proposal also calls for a restaurant with rooftop bar, a club pool, and additional retail and office space on a compact site bordered by single-family homes.
WHAT THE PETITION ARGUES
THIS MARINA EXPANSION PROJECT CANNOT STAND ON ITS OWN MERITS
Tierra Verde Next contends that the developer cheated both the community and the process by making invalid use of a hurricane-relief law, as well as invalid parking and noise claims. In addition, the DRC does not have the power to declare a county ordinance null and void.
At its core, this is a development that cannot meet the rules as written. Rather than earn approval through a variance process, the applicant:
Tierra Verde Next argues the DRC's approval rested on a series of unprincipled acts at the community's expense. The group is asking the circuit court to quash the approval and require the project to be measured against height restrictions, noise ordinances, land-use planning, and hurricane safety regulations that actually apply.
Tierra Verde Next, LLC is a community organization representing more than 1,000 residents and stakeholders of Tierra Verde, Florida, dedicated to responsible development that respects the island's residential character, safety, and quality of life.
CONTACT INFO:
Melanie Coleman Simon, TV Next spokesperson, tierraverdenext@gmail.com; 727-458-8864
Raphael Perrino, Steering Committee chair, astronomer49@yahoo.com; 703-307-5309
Our Mission:
Tierra Verde Next's Mission is to speak for residents, homeowners, and island friends to protect and preserve Tierra Verde. We want to help islanders envision the future and achieve their goals. In this effort, we will promote island-wide communication, the exchange of ideas, group coordination, and new volunteer opportunities. Tierra Verde Next is all of us.
VOLUNTEERSare needed to assist with FUNDRAISINGand to help with a variety of tasks. If you can help us, please contact Raphael Perrino, TV Next Steering Committee Chair, at astronomer49@yahoo.com
Steering Committee
Raphael Perrino,Chair
Paul Lee,Political Action, Communications
Geoff Comrie,Land Use and Legal Action
Rajan Kaul,Land Use and Legal Action
Roslyn Feierstein,Environmental Stewardship
Vicki McCash Brennan,Communications
Evelyn Bless,Communications, Fundraising
Melanie Coleman Simon,Communications, Fundraising
Kathryn Challenger,Fundraising, Community Outreach
Colleene Parodi,Community Outreach
About our Chairman
Raphael Perrino is a relative newcomer to Tierra Verde, having been a snowbird and then a homeowner here for less than a decade. He holds a master's degree in public administration and a doctorate in education, both from George Mason University. He served as chief of staff for an elected official in Fairfax County, which taught him the true inner workings of local government. He served as chairman of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.
As a civic activist in Arlington, VA, he founded and led an effort to revitalize South Arlington. In that capacity, he lobbied local elected officials, businesses, developers and county staff to seek funding for an area adjacent to the Pentagon. The process worked there. It was done in a cooperative, constructive, ethical manner. Dr. Perrino brings this attitude to his leadership of Tierra Verde Next.
Other members of the Tierra Verde Next leadership team, all longtime residents, also have advanced degrees and background in fields such as business administration, real estate, entrepreneurship, psychology, environmental education, and journalism. Together they bring a wide variety of expertise and experience to accomplish our goals.
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