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Gram's Place tries a little conformity to survive

Rezoning the funky hostel would cause taxes to skyrocket, but the owner sees it as the only way to preserve his home and business of almost 30 years.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published September 1, 2006

To save a backpackers hostel where nonconformity reigns, Gram's Place owner Mark Holland is doing something he has never done - filing paperwork and working with the city to rezone his property.

The eight-room, two-building hostel is zoned for single-family residential use. Holland hopes the City Council will approve a planned development use for the property at a December hearing, which would solve some of his code enforcement woes.

Violations involve a "stairway to heaven" linking the treehouse-style decks from the back yard to the roof, and a shed that accommodates guests in an "Adventure Room." The city's code enforcement board cited 12 violations at the house at 3109 N Ola Ave., and nine at the adjoining cottage at 206 W Plymouth St.

The board found him guilty last week but gave him until January to comply. If his zoning changes in December, some of his violations may no longer be offenses. He still needs to clear some clutter by the end of this month.

"If I even continue to exist, I'll be lucky," Holland said.

He has spent $2,100 on zoning application costs and must spend $400 to $500 on a land survey on the second house. Meanwhile, Holland can't afford to fix a broken toilet in the hostel.

Holland said he expects a 3,000 percent tax increase if his property is rezoned, but rezoning will be the only way to preserve his home and business of almost 30 years.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Heights Civic Association and backpackers who have stayed at the hostel are writing letters to the city in support.

Does Holland have any hope that the December zoning hearing will save his hostel?

"A little," he said.

Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 30, 2006, 12:51:47]