TAMPA - A proposed high-rise condominium on Bayshore Boulevard narrowly has received the go-ahead from the Tampa City Council.

But an appeal in circuit court could be next step for a project that has been in dispute for seven years.

"I have to talk to my clients," said lawyer James De Furio, who represents residents of Bayshore Royal condominium who oppose the planned 346-foot condominium tower at 2001 Bayshore Blvd., at DeSoto Avenue.

Residents say it will block their view of Bayshore and increase noise and traffic.
Council members voted 4-3 last week to deny Bayshore Royal's appeal of a prior decision by the city's zoning administrator and Architectural Review Commission that cleared the way for the tower.

The issue centers on the zoning administrator's decision not to apply development guidelines for the South Howard Avenue commercial area to the project. The decision was upheld on appeal to the architectural review commission last year.

The corner parcel consists of two lots, the smaller of which is within the South Howard district, though it does not front Howard Avenue.

Council initially voted on the appeal on Feb. 4, but with only five members present they fell short of the required four-vote majority to settle the issue. Council members Joseph Caetano and Gwen Miller were absent.

Last week, Caetano and Miller provided the votes to deny the appeal.

Prior to the vote, Caetano read a statement explaining why he agreed with the decision not to apply the Howard Avenue district guidelines. He bolstered his position by citing city code.

It led to a testy exchange between Caetano and Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena, who wanted to grant the appeal.

"Did zoning staff help you write that?" Saul-Sena asked.

"I don't think I need to be quizzed on that," Caetano said. "I wrote it."

If the appeal had been granted, Citivest's proposed tower would have been stalled but not necessarily killed.

Councilman Charlie Miranda said zoning codes still would allow Citivest to come back and seek a tower closer to Bayshore and 40 feet taller. "You'd have less of a view," Miranda said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.