BEACH PARK - The city's Variance Review Board on Tuesday night overturned a city zoning administrator's decision to allow commercial activity at Tampa Bay Marina, 205 S. Hoover St.

The board's decision can be appealed to the city council. The marina's attorney could not be reached for comment today.

The 13-acre parcel was zoned as a commercial district in 1956, but the land use was changed to the more restrictive office professional category in 1987.

An attorney for the marina provided the city with work permits, business tax receipts and occupational licenses issued over the past 20 years showing commercial activity has continued at the marina.

Beach Park residents have opposed the commercial activity.

Ralph Hughes, who owns an 8,800-square-foot house on Sandpiper Road across from the marina, questioned the administrator's ruling that the marina was a legal non-conforming use. Hughes is the owner of Caste-Crete Corp. and a Republican activist.

The west side of the basin closest to Hughes' home is being used as a docking area for tugboats and barges working on projects such as Howard Frankland Bridge repairs.

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.