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Residents consider condos over offices

The neighborhood association will decide if a 26-story condo tower will suit them better than a smaller office building.

By SHERRI DAY
Published October 21, 2005

Faced with a decision that could forever alter their neighborhood, community leaders in Bayshore Gardens are burrowing into building plans, transportation studies and zoning documents.

Before them are two options: a 26-story condominium tower or an eight-story office building.

Developers of both proposals say support from residents is crucial because it offers them a chance to avoid neighborhood feuds.

Though pleased to have input, neighborhood leaders said their task is far from easy.

"It's a very difficult position for a neighborhood to be ... asked to decide something like that," said Vicki Pollyea, president of the Bayshore Gardens Neighborhood Association. "It's confusing."

Earlier this month, the association's board of directors decided to support the 26-story condominium tower. The issue goes to the full membership for a vote at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Tampa Garden Club.

The developers are eyeing the rear parking lot at 2907 W Bay to Bay Blvd., which houses two office buildings and Pach's Place restaurant. In August, Joe Taggart, the property owner, entered into a sales contract with Southeast Capital Partners Inc., an Atlanta company seeking to build the condo tower.

"I'm kind of semiretired," said Taggart, explaining why he wants to sell.

If residents reject the tower, Taggart said he will build a 100,000-square-foot, eight-story office building with a few condos. The site is already zoned for commercial use.

Satish Lathi, a principal at Southeast Capital Partners, said his company has wanted to develop the site for a long time. He plans to build 84 residential units ranging from a 1,750-square-foot three-bedroom apartment for $600,000 to a penthouse with more than 3,400 square feet for $1.8-million.

Called the View at Bayshore, each unit would have views of Bayshore Boulevard to the east and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway to the west. The building would also have a pool, billiards room and fitness center, according to building plans. Parking would take up the first three levels.

"When people look at the pros and cons and weigh them against each other, I think it's a pretty simple choice: a very nice residential project that's going to help your property values vs. a high-intensity commercial development with a lot of traffic," said Lathi, a former Hyde Park resident. "It should be a very straightforward choice."

Pollyea said the tower's design, Lathi's willingness to work with the neighborhood and the project's traffic impact prompted the board to favor the condo plan. The office building would generate 1,346 more trips per day than the condo towers, state transportation officials said.

Lathi's company also has pledged to give the city $50,000 toward neighborhood transportation improvements.

If the association decides to support Lathi, his company will ask to rezone the property for residential use at the Jan. 26 City Council meeting.

Pending council approval, Lathi said he would begin construction in 2006 and finish in 2008.

[Last modified October 21, 2005, 18:43:20]