Treasure Island considers development ordinance to attract new business

June 3, 2026 - 08:14

Treasure Island officials are moving forward with a new development ordinance designed to reshape the city's commercial landscape and attract fresh investment. The proposed rules aim to reduce the dominance of surface parking lots and encourage mixed-use projects that bring more foot traffic and retail options to the area.

Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez did not mince words about the current state of the city's business districts. "The one thing we can't do is be the city known as parking lots, which is where we're at right now," she said during a recent city commission meeting. Her comments underscored a growing frustration among leaders that the city's reliance on sprawling asphalt has discouraged developers from building the kind of vibrant, walkable spaces residents and visitors want.

The ordinance would set new standards for how land is used, potentially requiring new developments to include ground-floor retail or residential components rather than leaving large swaths of land empty for cars. City planners argue that the current zoning code has made it too easy to build parking lots as a placeholder, stalling economic growth and creating gaps in the urban fabric.

Supporters of the change believe it could finally unlock development on several key parcels that have sat vacant or underused for years. Critics, however, worry that stricter rules might push away small businesses that rely on easy parking access. The city commission is expected to hold a public hearing on the draft ordinance next month before voting on its adoption.