Tony Markopoulos' four-year campaign for a beach resort clears the Community Development Board, over staff objections.
By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published August 18, 2004
CLEARWATER - A city board deviated from a staff recommendation Tuesday and approved the design of a $100-million resort hotel that would anchor development on a portion of Clearwater Beach.
The project, the Clearwater Beach Resort, still needs several approvals from the City Council, but Tuesday's 4-2 vote from the Community Development Board is a victory for hotelier Tony Markopoulos, who has pushed for the destination resort for four years.
City planners argued the 150-foot high, 14-story hotel was too massive and didn't meet the city's beach redevelopment rules.
Board member Dan Dennehy understood the city's interpretation, he said, but ultimately sided with developers.
"Philosophically, this project should happen," said Dennehy, a board alternate who took the place of chairman Ed Hooper, a Markopoulos consultant. "I don't think staff has the ability to weigh this philosophically."
Planning director Cyndi Tarapani said the city wants to encourage upscale resort redevelopment along the beach, but not at any expense. Two other resort projects, one adjacent to Markopoulos' proposed development, also are being considered by city staffers.
"You can't separate use from design," Tarapani said. "Design matters."
At issue, Tarapani said, was the mass of the resort above 100 feet. Planners contended the resort was bigger than allowed. Markopoulos' architect said the resort met the city's rules.
"There's a clear difference in opinion here," said board member J.B. Johnson, who voted to support the design. "But it's not everyday someone will go to the beach and bring $100-million. If we ever need a first rate hotel on the beach, it is now."
An attorney for the developer, Lisa Shasteen, said Markopoulos is a pioneer for wanting to develop an upscale, 3-star resort amid Clearwater Beach's aging hotel stock.
If the board sided with city planners, Shasteen said Markopoulos would either continue to operate the existing hotels, which include the Days Inn, or turn the nearly 3-acre property into condominiums.
"We've got quite an opportunity here at this moment to redefine a keystone property on the beach," she said.
Shasteen's warning sounded like a threat to board member Alex Plisko. He, along with board member David Gildersleeve voted against the resort design.
Both praised the proposal, but said Markopoulos could better conform to redevelopment rules.
"I'm still convinced we can have this type of resort that meets the guidelines," Gildersleeve said.
Along with Dennehy and Johnson, board members John Doran and Shirley Moran approved the resort design. Board member Kathy Milam left Tuesday's meeting early and did not vote.
During the more than three hours of discussion, several beach business owners spoke in support of Markopoulos' plan. The Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Island Estates Civic Association also praised it.
Only one beach resident, Harriette Weller, said the new resort would be disastrous.
"It's a solid wall enclosing the entire piece of land," Weller said. "It's too much."
