Event has different kind of 'sue' chefs

ST. PETERSBURG A chef-battle fundraiser will help a group sue the city.

By NICOLE BARDO-COLON, Times Staff Writer
Published July 18, 2007

If you go

Battle of the Italian Chefs

Where: Azalea Recreation Center, 1600 72nd St. N in St. Petersburg

When: 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday

Cost: $20, in advance only

Contact: For more information or to buy tickets, call Mary Lubin at 727 381-2900 or visit www.helpsaveour neighborhoods.com.

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Three area chefs face off Saturday to compete for the "best sauce" honor as part of a local fundraiser with an uncommon cause - to sue the city of St. Petersburg.

The Eagle Crest Civic Association is hosting a Battle of the Italian Chefs to raise money for its legal fund.

Along with 27 other neighborhood residents, the association is alleging that the city did not abide by its own comprehensive plan when it approved a zoning and land-use request in December.

"The real purpose of it is to force the city of St. Pete to follow their own comprehensive plan," said Lance Lubin, association president. "If the city of St. Pete doesn't honor it's own rules, then no neighborhood is safe."

The 18 acres in question are at Ninth Avenue N and 66th Street.

The property is under contract with the Sembler Co., which also developed BayWalk and many other Florida properties. The company also is named in the lawsuit.

According to the application, Lubin said, the company plans to put restaurants, banks and condos on the property.

"The land use is currently institutional, and the zoning is residential," Lubin said. "The City Council ignores the comprehensive land-use plan at its own whim."

The fundraiser will be held at the Azalea Recreation Center.

Roberto Alvarez, president of Learn a Language, will teach Italian during dinner, Mary Lubin said.

She said 103 $20 tickets already have been sold. Dinner includes bread, salad, wine and dessert. There will be a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Red Lobster and box seats to a Devil Rays game. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Nicole Bardo-Colon can be reached at 893-8779 or nbardo-colon@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 18, 2007, 09:36:08]