The original design for the site would have sacrificed a grand oak. Now council is to pick one building plan, old or new.
By JOHN BALZ
Published May 30, 2003
Residents eager to waive farewell to a grand oak tree to protect their front yards from flooding may be able to keep the foliage and lose the water.
The developer of an office building on S Krental Avenue has crafted an alternative plan that retains the tree. The plan, along with the original one that would kill the tree, goes to the Tampa City Council in a few weeks.
"One way or another we think one plan is going to be approved June 12th," said Michael Horner, development consultant for Nelco Construction. "We're just not sure which one."
In a reversal of typical roles, residents wanted the three-story office building off Kennedy Boulevard near Lois Avenue at the tree's expense. At an April meeting, they argued for the project, which they said would alleviate flooding and traffic problems.
Council Chairwoman Linda Saul-Sena asked the developer to revise the plan in order to save the tree. She also solicited city urban design manager Wilson Stair Jr. to draft a sketch showing how the developer might change the site plan to accommodate the tree.
The new plan calls for a 17,500-square-foot office building with a drive-through bank. The original plan shows just an office building.
Horner said the alternative plan shifts the direction of the building from east-west to north-south. The tree would remain. Some pruning might be required, he said.
The original plan did not provide access to Kennedy but the alternative plan does. Residents had opposed having driveways off Kennedy for fear about noise and traffic.
Both plans include a cul-de-sac on Krental to help block traffic and reduce noise and a stormwater retention system. Horner said both plans fix the site's current flooding problems.
Nelco submitted the alternative plan to the city this week.
Saul-Sena said Tuesday she had not seen the plan but that saving the oak and ending the flooding could both be achieved.
Resident Ernest Reina, 92, said his yard had 12 to 18 inches of water earlier this month. He supported the original plan, even if it meant sacrificing the tree.
"Every time we have a heavy rain late in the afternoon, there's no way for the water to get out," he said.
City Council will vote on the issue at 9:30 a.m. June 12, 315 E Kennedy Blvd.
