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Developer vacillates just before meeting

Belleair says the Biltmore resort is still on Wednesday's agenda despite DeBartolo canceling its presentation. Preservationists will attend.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published September 6, 2005

BELLEAIR - One day before DeBartolo Development planned to unveil its intentions for the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, the Tampa company changed its mind.

Two weeks ago, after 10 months of public silence, DeBartolo said it was ready to discuss plans for the resort's properties. Then, Tuesday morning, a secretary for the company called the town to cancel the presentation without offering an explanation.

Officials do not know what to make of DeBartolo's latest move.

"I would have certainly liked to hear it, and I would have liked the people to hear it," said Commissioner Gary Katica.

The company did not reschedule its presentation as of Tuesday afternoon, Town Manager Steve Cottrell said.

Representatives of DeBartolo, which has a contract to buy the hotel, have hinted that they intend to save part of the resort. But Thursday, less than a week before DeBartolo's scheduled presentation, the resort's owner, Urdang & Associates, filed additional plans to raze the entire hotel.

The owner filed its original application to demolish the Biltmore in April. DeBartolo has been involved in the application process, attending a private conference on the matter and submitting responses to Belleair officials' concerns about demolishing the landmark.

Preservationists are conflicted. They want information, but want DeBartolo out of the picture.

"DeBartolo should reveal his plans as soon as possible and he should really back away," said Diane Hein, who heads the Save the Biltmore Preservationists.

DeBartolo's game plan also puzzles Clearwater development attorney Ed Armstrong, who represents homeowners who live near the Biltmore's 136-acre golf course.

"Their approach has been unconventional," Armstrong said. "There's a total lack of communication with the parties that have a vested interest in the outcome. Most developers use a more collaborative approach."

DeBartolo's plans for the golf course also are murky. Architect Don Evans told guests at a building conference that DeBartolo planned to incorporate elements of the hotel into a town center. But it was unclear whether the center would be built on the 21-acre hotel site or its golf course on Indian Rocks Road.

Scott "Skipper" Peek, a development officer for DeBartolo, had initially called Cottrell to set up a private meeting with commissioners. Cottrell told Peek that a closed-door meeting was out of the question, but suggested an appearance at tonight's work session instead.

Ed Kobel, president of DeBartolo Development, and Peek did not return calls for comment.

Cottrell said DeBartolo Development could change its mind again and introduce its plan anyway because the company's presentation is still on the agenda.

Either way, preservationists say they're prepared.

The nonprofit group Friends of the Belleview Biltmore took out a full-page ad in the St. Petersburg Times Tuesday to encourage community support at Wednesday's meeting.

Rae Claire Johnson, who heads the nonprofit, said the group hopes the public will attend Wednesday's work session no matter what. The group, which recruited real estate consultant Rory Hiller and his team to purchase the resort, wants the public to support a proposed preservation ordinance to be presented at the meeting.

"A good turnout sends a strong message to DeBartolo that people want the hotel saved, and he doesn't have to be there to see that's how people feel."

-- Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or at lorri@sptimes.com

[Last modified September 6, 2005, 20:11:25]