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CANDACE RONDEAUXA new subdivision seeks less space between homes. Tarpon Springs gives a tentative okay in the latest debate.
TARPON SPRINGS - After months of controversy, city officials tentatively approved a rezoning to allow the houses in a new subdivision on Florida Avenue to be built closer together than permitted under current city guidelines.
City commissioners voted 3 to 2 Tuesday night to allow a developer to build at least 16 homes on the east side of Florida Avenue between Tessier Drive and Avoca Drive. The vote will let the developer build larger homes with side yards narrower than current city zoning restrictions. The homes could be just 15 feet apart instead of the 20 or 30 feet now required.
"I looked at its merits and felt that it was a viable project for Tarpon Springs," said Mayor Frank DiDonato. "I think that should be up to a homeowner to decide whether they want to buy a home that has less yard space."
DiDonato was one of three city commissioners who voted in favor of the project. Commissioners Karen Brayboy and Peter Nehr opposed the change, citing strenuous objections to the plan by several neighbors.
"When we're talking about rezoning, I think it's imperative to look at the reasons for the need to change something," Brayboy said. "In this case, I can't find a compelling reason why I need to rezone this lot."
The decision comes a little more than three months after neighbors circulated a petition opposing a similar zoning change for the property requested by a previous developer. Residents complained that reducing lot sizes on the 4.8-acre site would make the neighborhood look cramped and lower property values. The City Commission voted against changes proposed by that developer in May.
Debate resurfaced again in July, after local developer Kenneth Linn requested a change in the zoning so he could essentially keep current zoning restrictions but allow for less yard space.
Linn has proposed building single-family homes 60 feet wide with side yards of 71/2 feet. The current zoning requires side yards at least 10 or 15 feet wide.
Neighbor Nancy Stack begged commissioners to vote against Linn's request. She echoed concerns that developers might not honor promises to adhere to current restrictions and worried that the change would set a precedent for other developers.
"It is not necessary for us to be challenged every time a new developer appears demanding a change," Stack said.
But Linn dismissed those objections. He said neighbors' fears were overblown and cited the city's approval of the project Tuesday as proof.
"Right now it's strictly a concept," Linn said. "Nothing is written in stone. I'm not trying to impinge on adjacent property owners."
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the rezoning at a second reading Sept. 30.
- Candace Rondeaux can be reached at 727 771-4307 or rondeaux@sptimes.com