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Waterfront Land Requests Up For Debate

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By MARK HOLAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 10, 2008

BEACH PARK - Ongoing debates over two slices of the neighborhood's waterfront could flare up again next week but probably won't get resolved.

On Tuesday, the city's Variance Review Board will consider a request to overturn a city staff opinion legalizing commercial activity at Tampa Bay Marina, 205 S. Hoover St.

The losing side is likely to appeal the board's decision to the city council for another hearing this summer.

On Thursday, the council is scheduled to hear a request to vacate city right of way at the end of West Neptune Way.

The 285-foot strip of waterfront land is a favorite spot for walkers and bicyclists to catch a panoramic view of Old Tampa Bay and the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Last year, Brandon surgeon Gregory L. Henderson built a 19,000-square-foot house assessed at $4.3 million at 5224 W. Neptune Way, property records show. Across the street, the 6,800-square-foot house owned by George Hickey is assessed at $517,000.

The property owners say they want the right of way to enhance their security.

Neighbors have opposed the request since it surfaced more than a year ago, fearing they would lose access to the water.

Stephen Michelini, a consultant who represents Henderson and Hickey, said he will ask the council to postpone the hearing so he can meet with neighborhood representatives.

Michelini said he wants to clear up misconceptions about the homeowners' requests, namely that the grassy strip is a city park or that his clients want to block the view.

"What you see right now is what is going to remain," he said.

Less than a mile away, Cast-Crete Corp. owner and Republican activist Ralph Hughes last year built an 11,600-square-foot house assessed at $2.8 million at 2 Sandpiper Road, across from Tampa Bay Marina.

Hughes is appealing the February decision by city zoning administrator Cathy Coyle stating that commercial marine and storage activity along the waterfront is "legally nonconforming" land uses.

Hughes and other Beach Park residents say they don't like the heavy commercial activity at the marina, which is being used as a staging area for repair work on the Howard Frankland.

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.

"A lot of that is irrelevant and has nothing to do with the nonconforming use of the property," said John Grandoff, an attorney for Hughes.

The Variance Review Board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday; the council meeting begins at 9 a.m. Thursday. Both are at city hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd.

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

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