I said on Twitter I wasn’t going to do a Preview or Wrap-Up this week because I didn’t have anything nice to say and was tired of explaining what a reimbursement resolution really does and that hasn’t changed. However, I also made a commitment to myself to consistently publish the newsletter. So, to try and meet myself in the middle, I’m writing up a single post that will double as the newsletter this week.

To the biggest issue, Tampa Fire Rescue budget, bonding and reimbursement resolutions, I wrote up a piece on the last minute change that cuts consideration for 3 new fire stations. I also wrote up how I would have sold the reimbursement resolution in a factual representation of the situation.

The other major item addressed by Council last Thursday was a petition for review of a design exception. Specifically, a neighbor questioned the application of the rules by the Zoning Administrator in determining the build-to-line for two homes in Seminole Heights. Council voted to overturn the Zoning Administrator’s decision. This item highlights an issue many people in the public have raised. Giving staff the ability to make administrative decisions on certain types of variance requests. The argument for is that they are professionals and that without this step, Council would be overwhelmed with variance requests. The argument against seems obvious after watching a hearing like this one. The problem here is that the homes were already built. The developer seems to have a valid legal argument for building the homes based on the initial approval and building permits being issued. I don’t see them being torn down and moved back. But this may prevent other homes from being built with the same defense.

Looking ahead, there is a CRA meeting during the day Thursday but I did not see any major issues or votes the Board will be considering. Council will be consumed with the Land Use hearings Thursday evening, specifically the latest proposal by Rodeph Sholom and Related Group for the congregations property on Bayshore Blvd. Previously Council denied their application for a development of luxury townhomes based on variances requested in the application to change the planned development (PD) to include residential multi-family housing.

They are back this time with an application that does not appear to have any variance requests beyond what was granted with approved PD in 2006. Additionally, they are offering in a development agreement with the city to provide $150,000 in improvements to nearby Fred Ball Park plus $50,000 in landscape architectural work. The plan is primarily for some sidewalks and benches. Based on the last hearing, beyond any variance requests in the previous application, there is widespread opposition to the project by supporters of the non-profit Bayshore Garden Club next door. There were a lot of presentations depicting the natural beauty of their private club and its view of the water. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see throwing a few dollars at a public park is an attempt to mitigate opposition from a private club.

The congregation will probably issue the same statement that if this plan isn’t approved, they will be forced to sell the entire lot and move the synagogue because they won’t be able to afford to stay. With that declaration they insinuate that a much larger project could be built with administrative approval. It’s worth noting that this is the first public hearing on this and the second isn’t scheduled until the end of March.

Based on the volume of comments already attached to the item in Onbase I would put the over/under of the meeting ending at midnight. Currently there are 9 other items on the agenda and all should get the same level of consideration from Council as the marquee item does.

Finally, unrelated to issues directly before Council this week but more broadly related to the week-in-week-out discussion in the community a few links I found interesting this week.

• Streets MN has a post this week Ten Active Transportation Trends to Watch in 2024 with some good information on federal dollars and where the conversation is going.
• I discovered a new site focused on parking and they shared 6 surprising parking reform ideas.
• Reading through their older posts, I found a link to a map I may have seen before, but now it’s bookmarked. It’s a parking lot map of 100 major cities’ downtown parking coverage. Tampa is at 29% and doesn’t rate well in comparison.
• Another new site I discovered this week is Next City. From their site “Next City is a nonprofit news organization that believes journalists have the power to amplify solutions and spread workable ideas from one city to the next city.”
• Finally I thought it was interesting to see how other cities, in this case Austin, are trying to advocate for equitable, transit oriented development.