SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Residents got hands-on as they walked neighborhood streets with measuring sticks; inked maps with a wish list of bicycle lanes, shops and houses; and built town centers with stacks of Legos.

In four workshops, ideas for a renewed Seminole Heights were crafted into building blocks for redeveloping the neighborhood.

The results will be on display from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Seminole Garden Center, 5800 Central Ave.

City staff reduced six maps created during the workshops to three and added a fourth to show the neighborhood as status quo.

But it isn't a case of choosing one plan over another, city zoning administrator Cathy Coyle said. The city wants to know residents' likes and dislikes as a way to find consensus.

On Feb. 5, the city launched a two-year pilot project in a nearly 5-square-mile area covering the three neighborhoods of Old Seminole Heights, Southeast Seminole Heights and South Seminole Heights.

City land development staff met with residents, business and property owners, and others, including representatives from Hillsborough County, Tampa Electric Co. and the Florida Department of Transportation.

The goal is to create city codes to make the community's vision happen. This approach, known as form-based zoning, focuses on the layout of buildings, residences, streets and public spaces. A building's use is less important.

Form-based zoning generally creates more mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

If the pilot project proves successful, the city might consider similar projects in 15 or so other areas.

Following the four-day open house, the city plans to schedule a walking tour and additional workshop in May to review the community's options. The city council could have a final plan for review by the fall.

Land development staff would begin writing new codes for Seminole Heights in January with the goal of bringing those to the council by summer 2009.

For information, call Tampa's land development office at (813) 274-8405.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.