Nimby Group Discusses Bayshore Vision
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By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS The Tampa Tribune
Published: Aug 26, 2006
SOUTH TAMPA - Bayshore Boulevard conjures visions of a historical, scenic greenway with an open vista and room for recreation.
It also is a crowded major road that is the threatened symbol of Tampa, said about 40 residents, developers and community activists who gathered this week to discuss development along "Tampa's jewel."
"We are here out of fear," Bayshore resident Marilyn Weekley said. "We want to preserve what's left of Bayshore before it becomes a condominium cliff."
City staff presented the group with maps showing land-use and zoning categories for each parcel along the Bayshore corridor. The initial study area is east and south of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway from Gandy Boulevard to downtown, but it is expected to eventually include just Bayshore.
The meeting Tuesday at the Kate Jackson Community Center stemmed from a number of groups protesting Bayshore development or other issues to the city. It was a way to get them together to reach consensus, said Vicki Pollyea, president of the Bayshore Gardens Neighborhood Association.
"I'm hoping people are going to work together," Pollyea said. "We have to recognize builders' rights and work to protect this treasure."
She wants the group to talk about setbacks, height restrictions, maintaining single-family homes and wholesale improvements as opposed to single topics such as a disputed emergency generator enclosure in the median outside the Monte Carlo condominium tower.
Harry Lee Coe IV, a Bayshore Overlay District committee member, said an overlay district is the proper middle ground for guiding development. The committee proposes a minimum 40-foot front yard setback and a maximum height of 120 feet for condominium towers.
"This is really about addressing the corridor through the [city's comprehensive] plan," Coe said. "We need to stick with the existing laws and rules in place until that time."
Tim Powell, a developer's representative, said creating an overlay district throughout the corridor is unrealistic because there are too many competing interests.
"We already have good, sound and established neighborhood policies in those areas," he said.
Pollyea said her neighborhood has fought as many as four condo tower projects in the past two years, with each seeking waivers for extra height or other variances.
"It should not be the neighborhoods always fighting these battles," Pollyea said. "The zoning code should."
City staff will report to the city council Oct. 19.
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