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Effort to save Biltmore energized
Residents crowd Belleair's Town Hall to hear about a proposed preservation ordinance, which could affect what happens to the resort.
By LORRI HELFAND
Published September 8, 2005
BELLEAIR - Energized by the prospect that the Belleview Biltmore's owners are still determined to tear down the landmark, equally determined preservationists renewed their efforts to save it.
Outside Town Hall before Wednesday's commission meeting, a few people sold T-shirts and handed out signs urging preservation of the 19th century hotel. Inside, others greeted attendees with similar pleas.
About 250 residents crowded into the meeting to hear the town's special counsel, Nancy Stroud, explain the town's proposed preservation ordinance.
The town's current historic preservation policy primarily serves to educate the public and encourage preservation of historically significant properties. The proposed ordinance would give the town more power to protect historic sites.
A couple of dozen residents spoke, urging officials to act quickly. Several said they were happy to finally see some official action.
Bill Stokes, a board member of St. Petersburg Preservation Inc., warned the commission to pass the ordinance or risk being known as the people who destroyed a beloved landmark. He assailed Mayor George Mariani Jr., saying he hampered the process by asking too many questions.
Mariani questioned Stroud closely. He asked how historic properties would be identified, what guarantees the town could require to make sure those sites were protected and how the town could ensure that the guidelines were fair.
Stroud said she drafted the ordinance using common standards.
The ordinance would also allow exceptions for owners who could prove that the historic guidelines cause undue economic hardship, thwarting any reasonable use of their property.
Commissioner Gary Katica asked whether the town was subjecting itself to a lawsuit by passing the ordinance.
"I cannot imagine the adoption of an ordinance would be cause for a lawsuit," Stroud said, adding that such ordinances are common and legal.
The commission decided to hold the first reading of the ordinance at the first town meeting in late October because the draft would first need to be reviewed by the town's planning and zoning board and its preservation board.
Nancy Loehr, community relations manager for Progress Energy, pledged her company's support for the Biltmore.
"It's an important issue to the town and Pinellas County. I'd like to offer the city and the commission anything my company can do to help with the restoration of the hotel," Loehr said.
The town is currently considering breaking ties with Progress Energy and running its own utility, a matter that is scheduled for a public vote Nov. 8.
And real estate consultant Rory Hiller made his first public presentation before the commission, announcing that he expects a "full-fledged" backup contract on the hotel by the end of the week. Hiller, who has partnered with Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, said forensic engineers say the entire hotel is structurally sound. He also promised preservation of the resort's golf course.
The hotel's owner, Urdang & Associates, filed plans on Sept. 1 to complete the application process to raze all seven buildings on the resort property. The owner filed its original application in April.
Town Manager Steve Cottrell said it would take 15 to 20 days to see whether Urdang's recent application complies with town rules. Urdang's attorney, Roger Schwenke, was in the audience, accompanied by a court reporter.
Regardless of the ordinance, Stroud and Belleair leaders claim the town's comprehensive plan, adopted in 1999, already protects the Belleview Biltmore, which is referenced about a dozen times.
Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or at lorri@sptimes.com
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE WOULD:
Specify criteria for identifying and designating historic sites
Ensure that redevelopment of those sites meets town guidelines for preservation
Require a certificate before historic sites are altered or demolished
Prohibit "demolition by neglect" - owners intentionally allowing historic properties to deteriorate beyond repair
[Last modified September 8, 2005, 01:49:23]
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