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Station May Sell Beer, Wine

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - In some cases, the third time is the charm. For the owner of a Hillsborough Avenue gas station and convenience store, it was the fifth or maybe the sixth or seventh time.

No one could swear how many times Neil Yildirim had come to the city council before finally getting approval last week for conditional beer and wine sales at his Valero gas station, 806 E. Hillsborough Ave. He has reapplied every six months as city code allows.

In a 4-2 vote, council agreed to a one-year trial wet-zoning with a stipulation of no single or quart-size beer sales. The restriction might not hold legal water, city attorneys said, but Yildirim said he would abide by the rule.

"He just wants to be treated like everyone else," his attorney, Luke Lirot, said.

Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena made a motion to deny the application, saying the store is too close to homes.

"Seminole Heights has worked so hard to clean up their act," she said. "They have come down here five previous times to oppose this. This is not what they need to see in their neighborhood."

Councilman Joseph Caetano initially objected to banning single and quart-size beer sales.

"I personally don't think we should start restricting people on how they run their business," he said. "I don't think it's right."

He voted for the conditional license after discussion with city attorneys, who said state law might prohibit the ban's enforcement. A second vote on the ordinance is scheduled for Feb. 7.

Lirot took the council on a slide show of the "beers of the world at every corner of Hillsborough." He said he bought beer at five gas stations and convenience stores within a mile of Yildirim's store and Seminole Heights Baptist Church across the street.

The church's pastor sent a letter in opposition but did not attend Thursday's hearing. The church has opposed the wet-zoning at every hearing as, at various times, have the Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association and Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association.

The neighborhood is "buried" in convenience and package stores, said Susan Long, president of the Old Seminole Heights group.

"If it were up to us, we would unwet some of them," she said.

Randy Baron, the group's former president, said the church and residents worry that more alcohol sales mean more police calls. Church officials have found people sleeping outside the church and litter in the parking lot, he said.

"They sell singles in plain paper bags, and you do find the bottles and bags all over the place," he said.

Police had no objection to Yildirim's request but noted 78 service calls since 2004, most of them for vehicle crashes and security alarms, at or near his gas station.

Councilman Charlie Miranda said the station is near the busy Nebraska Avenue and Hillsborough intersection.

"With or without alcohol, you're going to continue to have the accidents," he said.

And as to anyone crossing six-lane Hillsborough to drink on church property, he said, "Not even Road Runner could make it across there and survive."

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

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