Hostel's owner will plead for council's help
By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published January 19, 2007
Mark Holland's European-style hostel comes complete with a rooftop crow's nest and music-themed rooms.
"It's just hanging onto the grass to keep it from falling off of the Earth," is how Holland describes the house.
Holland will appear before the City Council on Thursday to plead with them for a zoning change that could be the saving grace of Gram's Place, his hostel named after his musical hero, country rock icon Gram Parsons.
The eight-room, two-building hostel is zoned for single-family residential use. Holland hopes that if the council approves a planned development use, it could solve some of his code enforcement woes.
Violations involve a "stairway to heaven" linking 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.
Holland told Code Enforcement Board members in May of the hostel's unique spirit, and how regarded it is in the world backpacking community, but they still found him in violation. Holland said the violations are so extensive, he would have to tear down the hostel and rebuild it, and he can't afford to do that. So he hopes that if the council grants him a zoning change, those violations will disappear. If not, the fines will start to accumulate.
"I'm about as sick as I've ever been," Holland said. "I'm gurgling up stomach acid every day. This has been a trip to hell for me."
Holland has paid more than $3,000 to cover the application costs, including a land survey. The extra expenses makes it harder for Holland to pay the water and electric bills, because he regularly makes just enough to keep the hostel open.
The Tampa Heights Civic Association and backpackers who have stayed at the hostel have written letters to the city in support.
At Thursday's hearing, Holland will be represented by former state Rep. Sara Romeo, a longtime family friend. Together, they have met with every city department head connected to Holland's case. "I've just helped him walk through the system," Romeo said. "It's not user-friendly for the layman."
She thinks Holland has a great chance at getting his zoning changed and ensuring the survival of Gram's Place. "I really do," she said. "I don't see an issue at all."
Holland hopes the city will recognize the value of his hostel and help it survive.
"People tell me they've traveled hostels all over the world and they've never seen one as interesting as this one," Holland said. "You would think that Tampa would be proud of that and embrace that."
Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com.
Fast Facts:
If you go
Mark Holland will appear before the City Council on Thursday at 5:01 p.m. on the third floor of City Hall, 315 E Kennedy Blvd., downtown.
At tampabay.com
For a video tour of Gram's Place and previous stories about it, visit links.tampabay.com.