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Neighbors fail to block 2 projects
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published May 7, 2006
ST. PETERSBURG - Despite the pleas of neighboring residents, the Environmental Development Commission approved two controversial redevelopment projects Wednesday. A number of residents in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood near Fourth Street protested that a proposed parking lot violated the neighborhood's "redevelopment plan'' that restricts commercial development to no more than 150 feet east of Fourth Street. "The parking lot will begin the destruction of our neighborhood," Mary Alice Lange said. Resident Carol Olt predicted that approval of the site plan would lead to a "domino effect'' along Fourth Street. "One hundred fifty feet means 150 feet. You are really knifing the homeowners of the Old Northeast.'' Zoning Official John Hixenbaugh said the neighborhood plan was not binding, however. Don Mastry, attorney for Robert and Christine Noordstar, countered that no "reasonably sized building with parking'' could fit in the 150-foot limit. "This is a very difficult case,'' said David Punzak, vice chairman of the commission, who in the end voted with the majority for the site plan. The site at 1203 Fourth St. N used to have two single-story commercial buildings and a two-story apartment building. Only a single-story retail building and an empty single-family home remain. Both will be demolished. The proposed building will include 5,800 square feet of retail space with parking at the rear. The main tenant will be a Tropical Smoothie Cafe. In another case, equally vehement neighbors of a proposed laser tag facility urged the commission to reject the project. They argued that the place could attract unruly teenagers. The commission approved the special exception and related site plan, allowing operation of a laser tag recreation facility in a shopping center at 201 38th Ave. N. The 9,695-square-foot facility, to be located in retail space formerly occupied by JoAnne Fabrics, will include a maze for laser tag, an inflatable area, video games, snack bar, seating area and party room open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The commission also: n Approved the vacation of portions of several streets between 28th and Yale streets S and between Ninth and 12th avenues S so the Wildwood Recreation Center could build a new football field and two tennis courts. n Expanded a previously approved air rights vacation in the block bounded by Central Avenue and First Avenue N and 19th and 20th streets N. The additional air rights were needed after a redesign of a structured garage in the Grand on Central, a mixed-use project. n Approved a special exception and site plan for an outdoor eating and drinking area associated with a store at 469 45th Ave. N, on the First Unity Church campus. The church plans to convert an existing office and retail building to a bookstore and coffee shop. n Approved a site plan modification for Ovation, a planned 28-story mixed-use development at 140 Beach Drive NE, after developers acquired the building that housed the Straw Goat. n Rejected a proposed lot line adjustment that would have divided a large lot into two at 5816 Pierce Drive NE. n Approved a site plan for an eight-slip dock at 6025 Sun Blvd. in the Isla del Sol Development, which will have 16 units.
[Last modified May 7, 2006, 10:10:38]
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