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Church, Developer Join For Project

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2007

EAST TAMPA - A local church is partnering with a developer to build 32 town homes west of Middleton High School.

College Hill Church of God and Poinsettia Development propose the town homes, about half with attached garages, on about 2 acres at East Osborne Avenue and North 22nd Street, city records show.

A tentative rezoning hearing before the city council is set for Dec. 13. If approved, construction could begin in early 2008.

The town homes would be about 1,300 square feet, excluding garage, records show. At least 72 parking spaces would be required for residents and guests.

Prices would start about $165,000, with buyers eligible for financial assistance through the city's affordable housing program, Poinsettia manager Henry Hicks said.

'We're really trying to provide a nice buffer in the community between single-family homes and the commercial area,' Hicks said.

Two other town home projects in the area of Osborne and 22nd met with opposition from residents, who said they prefer single-family houses.

In a close vote in April, the council rejected a proposed development of 32 town homes on East Palifox Street.

In July, developers withdrew a rezoning request for 28 town homes at 2106 E. Osborne Ave., near Middleton and Osborne Landing Apartments.

'It's been a challenge for developers in that area,' Hicks said.

The Rev. Charles Davis said his church initially planned to build 12 single-family houses but decided 'it was cost prohibitive in terms of land development and sidewalks.'

The property is long and narrow and 'it would be very difficult if you tried to put in individual homes,' Davis said.

The Osborne town home project had difficulty because an entrance was needed beside a residence, Davis said. That's not the case with the church's project, which would have an entrance off commercially developed 22nd.

Additional buffering would be provided by a retention pond on 22nd that the city plans to upgrade into a minipark, Davis said.

Before the hearing, residents will be consulted on the project, he said.

The East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership has recommended contributing $150,000 toward construction of an internal road for the town home project.

The partnership, a coalition of civic, business and neighborhood organizations, works with the city on east Tampa redevelopment.

The money is part of the 2008 budget the council is reviewing for the community's redevelopment area, which is bordered by Hillsborough Avenue, interstates 275 and 4, and the city limits.

A portion of local property taxes within those boundaries must be spent on community projects.

'We made a commitment to build a road,' East Tampa redevelopment manager Ed Johnson said.

Discussion of the project started about two years ago and the money was part of the 2007 budget. Johnson said the money has been reallocated for 2008 in the event the council approves the project.

The cost of the road is unknown. Developers would build it, then deed it to the city and get reimbursed for the $150,000, Johnson said.

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

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