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Bridge inspectors can no longer use home as office

Treasure Island bought a house in Causeway Isles for work purposes. St. Petersburg residents didn't like the idea.

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published August 24, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Engineers working on the new Treasure Island bridge will have to stop using a Causeway Isles house as an office.

Residents of the waterfront community persuaded St. Petersburg's board of adjustment Friday not to extend a variance allowing the home at 8031 Causeway Blvd. S to be used for business.

Treasure Island bought the house, on the southeast corner of the new bridge, for use during the three-year construction project. In January, inspectors for the bridge got temporary permission to use the house as its weekday headquarters. Last week, city public works officials asked to extend the variance until 2007.

Even though city staff members supported Treasure Island's request, the board members voted unanimously in favor of the St. Petersburg residents.

In a letter to the adjustment board, the Causeway Isles Neighborhood Association said the continued use of the property as a business would be "inappropriate for a quiet waterfront residential neighborhood, where the citizens of St. Petersburg value their solitude and privacy."

On behalf of the residents along Causeway Boulevard S, association president Dan Kunitzer said the neighbors have been concerned about safety, construction vehicles on their streets and lower property values since the inspectors took over the one-story house.

Treasure Island public works director Don Hambidge said he was taken aback by the board's decision. He said the bridge inspectors have been good neighbors.

"The house was simply used as an office, and we didn't park more than two cars there," he said. "It's good to have your inspectors right on the job site. It made for very good work relationships."

Treasure Island bought the home a few years ago for $225,000 and spent $20,000 renovating it. The home was rented for more than a year before the construction project began.

Hambidge said the city has until Sept. 22 to stop using the house as an office. He said the city probably will rent a trailer as a temporary office within Treasure Island until the $50-million bridge is complete.

[Last modified August 24, 2005, 01:15:20]