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Letter to the editor

Marina owner aims skyward

He wants to build new high-and-dry boat storage in Tarpon Springs.

By ELENA LESLEY
Published July 6, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - A local marina owner has plans to help ease the boat storage shortage in Pinellas County - while making Tarpon Springs a nautical destination.

Edward Spaeth, who operates Turtle Cove Marina, wants to renovate and expand his operation on Roosevelt Boulevard. The marina sits across the street from the proposed Santorini By the Sponge Docks hotel. Spaeth has acquired 11 adjacent properties and one island parcel for expansion.

Only problem is, he'll need a pass from the city to do it.

Spaeth wants to build new "high-and-dry" boat storage structures 45 feet tall, to match his existing facilities. But the adjacent properties he has acquired are zoned at 35 feet, 40 feet and 45 feet.

"I want them all to be uniform, " Spaeth said.

He went before the City Commission on Tuesday evening to present his project and initiate discussions about zoning changes.

The revamped marina would be a destination for boaters, who could dock with him and stay at the nearby hotel, he told commissioners.

In addition to new facilities, Spaeth said he will use the island parcel to add 45 wet slips to his business and build a clubhouse for boaters. The site currently has 52 wet slips.

Mayor Beverley Billiris said she was glad Spaeth planned to change the existing facade of his storage facilities.

The cream, green and beige buildings will have cupolas, awnings, railings and balconies.

The new design is "eye-appealing, " she said. "It could blend into the community."

Spaeth plans to renovate his current four structures to match the new ones. He's not sure yet how many new high and dries he will build.

"I want it to look more like a condo than a high and dry, " he said.

That means it will need a roof. Spaeth warned commissioners that if he couldn't build to 45 feet, he wouldn't be able to cover the buildings.

"It wouldn't look too good, " he said. "You'd see boats sticking out of the top."

Commissioners were receptive to that possibility and directed Spaeth to work with staff and come back with a proposal.

Others at the meeting praised Spaeth's initiative.

Said Planning and Zoning Board member Tod Eckhouse: "It's that kind of forward thinking that this town needs."

Elena Lesley can be reached at elesley@sptimes.com or 727 445-4167.

[Last modified July 5, 2007, 21:56:00]