Builders eye industrial waterfront
Developers see Rattlesnake Point as an untapped paradise. Others fear problems from industry and traffic.
By JANET ZINK
Published December 29, 2005
TAMPA - The tip of Rattlesnake Point offers a clear view across sparkling Tampa Bay. It's a vista open only to those who work on the industrial sites that occupy the peninsula south of Gandy Boulevard at West Shore Boulevard.
But residential developers have started showing an interest in the prime waterfront property. That has environmental regulators and planners concerned.
Rick Garrity, executive director of the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, told city officials to exercise caution before allowing a building boom on the land. The companies on Rattlesnake Point, including boatmakers and concrete and chlorine plants, emit noise and odors during their normal operations that could generate complaints from future residents.
He also worries about industrial accidents.
"Minor accidental releases at a chlorine repackaging and bleach-making plant on Rattlesnake Point in the past have adversely affected neighboring businesses," Garrity wrote in October to the city's business and housing development director Cyndy Miller. "The demographic character of the area continues to change and may result in greater numbers of people exposed."
Others say environmental cleanup, overburdened roads and the waterside location are causes for concern.
"Those came up on our radar as the three major issues in that area if you want to develop residential," said Terry Cullen, a planner with the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission.
West Shore Boulevard is already overtaxed. Cullen said that could cause a problem not just for routine travel, but in case of an evacuation during a hurricane.
Two projects that will bring more than 2,200 homes on more than 127 acres just east of the peninsula already have been approved by the Tampa City Council in the past two years.
Now the owners of CJ Marina on the southeast end of Rattlesnake Point want to build condominiums on their 12 acres, a site that includes the popular restaurant RattleFish Raw Bar and Grill.
Charles Funk and Jeffrey Meehan in August filed a petition for a land use change with the Planning Commission, hoping to get permission to build more than 500 units on the site. But after hearing concerns from planners, they withdrew the application.
Their attorney, Ron Weaver, said he'll submit plans for more than 300 units next month.
Weaver said he also represents two other landowners who want to redevelop property on the peninsula.
The land is less than 20 minutes from downtown Tampa, St. Petersburg, International Plaza and the airport, making it convenient as well as beautiful, Weaver said.
"It would make Palm Beach, Naples and Sarasota jealous," he said. "It could be the most attractive peninsula in all of Florida."
The city hasn't formally responded yet to Garrity's letter, but chief of staff Darrell Smith said the EPC will be able to comment on any plans presented to the Planning Commission or the City Council.
"We're going to comply with all the environmental regulations necessary as development of that area proceeds," Smith said.
The city also is studying transportation south of Gandy Boulevard, including the traffic expected to arrive with New Port Tampa Bay, a 1,750-unit project, and Westshore Yacht Club, a development with 537 homes. The results of that study will help shape further development in the area, Smith said.
Industry and homeowners can make fine neighbors, Weaver said.
He points to Harbour Island, an old phosphate terminal across from the Port of Tampa that now holds more than 2,700 residences.
"Harbour Island is a couple of hundred feet from 20 or 30 of the most intensive industries in the world," Weaver said.
With the right precautions, industry and homeowners can "work in harmony."
"It needs to be handled responsibly," Weaver said. "These projects will be."