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Commission To Vote On Hotel Growth

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 16, 2007

CLEARWATER - Pinellas County commissioners are poised to allow developers to build more hotel rooms on the beach, where condominium conversions have eroded the county's stock of rental rooms.

Commissioners are scheduled to take a final vote tonight on a much-discussed proposal that would allow increased densities for hotels and motels, up to 125 rooms per acre for parcels larger than 3 acres. That's up from 30 to 50 rooms per acre. The vote will come after a public hearing on the measure, which aims to make hotel construction more competitive with condominium development.

County tourism officials fear the condo conversion trend, which has slowed considerably with the downturn in the real estate market, could displace large numbers of visitors.

Since 2001, conversions of hotels and motels into condos have eliminated about 5,000 of the county's roughly 40,000 rental rooms, primarily along the barrier islands between Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach.

Some opponents, though, fear the proposal could lead to a concrete canyon of tall buildings along the Gulf of Mexico, blocking waterfront views and wreaking havoc on roads, public water supplies and other infrastructure. Concerns about municipalities losing control over issues such as the height of hotels also have been raised.

Each of Pinellas' 24 municipalities would have to adopt the plan before it could take effect within their cities or towns.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in commission chambers in the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at cmoncada@tampatrib.com or (727) 451-2333.

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