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Neighborhood report

Briefs: Foes of Harbor View historic plan hire lawyer

By SHERRI DAY and RICK GERSHMAN
Published January 13, 2006

BAYSHORE BEAUTIFUL - Residents opposing a plan to give bungalows on Harbor View Avenue a historic designation have hired a high-profile lawyer to lead their fight.

Land use attorney John Grandoff said he has been retained by a coalition of about 20 homeowners in the small neighborhood off Bayshore Boulevard.

Tampa's Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously in October to add the two blocks of Harbor View from Bayshore to MacDill Avenue to the city's preservation work plan. The staff has been working on design standards.

Supporters say historic designation is necessary to preserve a key element of South Tampa's character at a time of rampant redevelopment. Those opposed contend that the city has no business telling them what to do with their properties.

Grandoff said he is reviewing the city's actions.

SUNSET PARK - Efforts to create a special tax assessment district to pay for canal dredging along clogged waterways in neighborhoods along West Shore Boulevard and on Davis Islands are gaining steam.

Since October, Sunset Park homeowners Craig Shatto and Michael Weigner have been canvassing the affected communities to drum up support.

If approved as planned, homeowners who live on canals that have less than 3 feet of water at low tide would pay an annual assessment. Costs for the one-time dredging could be up to $600 a year per household for the next 20 years.

As part of the project's information campaign, the Sunset Park Area Homeowners Association invited city stormwater officials to a meeting Tuesday night. The officials outlined the proposal, which would affect about 550 homeowners who meet the low-tide requirement. Waterfront homeowners whose canals are higher than 3 feet would not be included in the district.

So far, Shatto and Weigner, who are working with city officials, have received support from about 150 residents in neighborhoods ranging from Beach Park to Stoney Point.

Last week, Shatto and Weigner met with Mayor Pam Iorio to discuss their progress. Iorio said the project was a priority, but she encouraged patience. It is unlikely the city staff will present the proposal to the City Council and implement it before the end of the year, she said.

"My message to them was it's something that we're working on, but it's certainly not on any fast track," Iorio said.

Still, the men were undaunted.

"We're certainly optimistic," Weigner said. "They're moving in the right direction - never as fast as we want them to, but something is being done."

People interested in learning more about the proposal may contact Craig Shatto at 503-3329 or Michael Weigner at 282-8380.

SUN BAY SOUTH - The Gandy Civic Association has a new chain-link fence around its meeting hall, thanks to a developer's donation.

The fence at 4207 W Oklahoma Ave. is a gift from EcoGroup, the development company behind New Port Tampa Bay, a luxury residential community.

EcoGroup officials said they agreed to donate the fence after learning that the association needed one. It's part of the company's commitment to help communities that border its new development near Gandy and West Shore boulevards, EcoGroup executives said.

Association members began dismantling the property's 45-year-old, rusted chain-link fence late last month. Workers installed the new 323-foot-long fence this week.

"We're prettying up the property," said Al Steenson, the association's chairman. "It makes it look nicer because that other fence was blowing over."

Steenson said the association plans to put up a sign crediting EcoGroup for its donation. The act shows that the two entities, which had sparred as EcoGroup went through the rezoning process for New Port Tampa Bay, can get along and work together, Steenson said.

HARBOUR ISLAND - Residents of Post Harbour Place received a notice last Friday informing them that some of the luxury apartments are converting to condominiums.

Residents of Phase One on the south side of Knights Run Circle have 45 days to decide whether they want to purchase their unit or move into another one of the Post Properties. They will receive $500 in moving compensation.

Post Harbour Place officials, when contacted this week, declined to comment on the conversion.

[Last modified January 12, 2006, 08:38:10]