Council must weigh Old Hyde Park Village uses

Some uses are supported, some are not as the City Council prepares to consider a rezoning request.

By SUSAN THURSTON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 20, 2002

Last week, Tampa's Architectural Review Commission spent hours debating a list of appropriate uses for Old Hyde Park Village.

Members nixed a parking lot, tennis courts and some other uses, but okayed a variety of others, such as restaurants, offices and stores.

It was a tough sell. Many area homeowners oppose a high-traffic grocery store, including the rumored Publix.

"I don't think we should give blanket approval," said Randy Hollingsworth, a member of the Architectural Review Commission. "It doesn't give consideration to the neighborhood."

Next week, the City Council gets the final word.

The council expects to act Thursdayon a request to rezone the former Jacobson's store and buildings north of Swann Avenue, including the AMC movie theater. The rezoning would include lots behind the theaters that the village plans to buy.

Village officials say the rezoning is needed to expand the list of tenants that can move into the center. The current zoning restricts the Jacobson's site to a department store and the theaters to a movie complex.

Residents sympathize but worry about granting too much leeway. The village has refused to identify prospective tenants. Jacobson's has been vacant since March, and the theaters may move out next year.

The architectural board on Sept. 11 supported the rezoning, but with many restrictions. The panel limited offices to the second floor and said access to a grocery store must be from Rome Avenue.

Village officials opposed the limits and plan to seek broader flexibility from the council.

"It really ties our hands. When the malls are talking to people, they don't have to say, 'We can put you in there, but you can't go in there,' " said general manager Pat Westerhouse.

Parking will likely be a hot issue during the council meeting. Area homeowners have said putting a large lot behind the theaters would destroy the historic feel of the neighborhood. Village officials have said the lot may be necessary to accommodate new businesses.

Westerhouse said the village will ask the council to keep the lot as an option, even though the architectural board opposed it. The council can accept or deny the commission's recommendations.

Denying a parking lot would not stop the village from bringing in a grocery store, but it could make the plan unfeasible, she said. The commission left open the possibility of a parking garage.

Lee Schwartz, who once ran a market on MacDill Avenue with his father, said it would be nearly impossible to open one without convenient parking. He has considered the site for a specialty grocery.

"I can't imagine being in a situation where a reasonable number of customers would have to park on a second floor," he said. "You are asking people to jump through hoops to come into your business."

Homeowners think a big grocery would increase traffic and pollution. They oppose the idea of runaway carts, Dumpsters and frequent delivery trucks.

Jeanne Holton Carufel, president of the Historic Hyde Park Neighbors Association, said the area has plenty of grocery stores. She argued that it's unfair for the village to ask for residents' support without giving them information about tenants.

"We moved here to have a nice, residential neighborhood. Business was not our first concern," she said.

The council meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 315 E Kennedy Blvd.

-- Susan Thurston can be reached at 226-3394 or thurston@sptimes.com.

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