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Controversial Bayshore Condo Project Clears Another Hurdle

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By KATHY STEELE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 5, 2009

TAMPA - The latest, and maybe final, round went to the developer of a 346-foot Bayshore Boulevard condominium tower after nearly six years of legal wrangling.

The city's Architectural Review Commission on Wednesday gave final approval, with four conditions, to The DeSoto project. Commission staff will work with the developer, Citivest Construction, to resolve issues related to the type of windows, placement of air conditioners and generators, grilles on the tower's facade and buffering to block views of the three-story garage.

Citivest owner Bill Robinson said construction can't begin before 2010. Even then, the economy will be a controlling factor on building the 60-unit tower.

About 20 residents opposed to the tower attended the commission's hearing. Attorney James De Furio, representing residents of the adjacent Bayshore Royal condominium, said his clients will weigh legal options.

Commissioners said court and Tampa City Council decisions limited their review of the project to architectural guidelines, not issues of height or mass.

"It's destined to be a big building there," David Ferrill said. "I think this commission tonight is responding only to what it feels it can respond to."

The building is slated to rise on a vacant 1.5-acre lot at Bayshore and Desoto Avenue, on the southern end of the Hyde Park Historic District. The lot is zoned to allow high-rise development.

In 2003, the commission refused to approve the tower because it did not meet historic district guidelines. The city council agreed and also turned down a compromise 230-foot tower.

In nearly three years of litigation, courts upheld Citivest's right to build, and the council reluctantly gave its approval in 2007.

The project is subject to review by several city departments, including transportation, before construction permits can be issued. So, the four conditions imposed by the commission might not be the last hurdles for Citivest.

"My concern is we're going to be back reviewing this building," commission Chairman Craig Ross said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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