Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
By SUSAN THURSTON
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 17, 2001
TAMPA PALMS -- Business owners in the Palm Lake shopping center may have to live with their sign along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, at least for now.
Supervisors for Tampa Palms Community Development District nixed a request Wednesday to erect a new sign closer to the road. And they made it clear that they don't want to discuss the matter again until the city says in writing that the sign meets code.
Even then, they might reject it.
"I cannot support moving that sign," said Chairman Mark Fitzpatrick, noting that he has lost friends over the debate. "I know you need signage, but you can do it on the existing space, in my opinion."
The refusal came as a disappointment to representatives of Palm Lake, who tried for months to get a new sign for the struggling retail center on Amberly Drive. They got the okay from the Tampa Palms Owners Association, but need the board's permission to place it on taxing district land.
"No one seems to care," said leasing agent Kalyn Brandewie. "We've tried to upgrade the tenant mix ... but nobody seems to want to work with us."
The center has had a tough time attracting and keeping major tenants. It lost its anchor several years ago, but recently started to rebound with the opening of Lifestyle Family Fitness and the future New Tampa Oyster Bar.
Brandewie says businesses won't survive unless customers know they are there. Only one side of the center is visible from Bruce B. Downs; the front faces Amberly Drive.
Palm Lake's developer initially wanted to increase the height of the sign to 20 feet, but decided to keep it at 14 feet after board members objected to the size. Now, the developer just wants the sign closer to the road.
An attorney for Palm Lake said the city supports the sign, based on a meeting he had with a zoning official. It appears, he said, that the sign would be grandfathered and not subject to new rules in New Tampa that ban off-site signs.
Some taxing board members said a verbal commitment wasn't enough. They want it in writing.
"We've asked you to bring us the city approval ... for the last few months and we still don't have it," said board member Mark Hensleigh.
Others said they would still have concerns.
Ed Copeland said moving the sign closer to Bruce B. Downs could pose a safety problem when the road is widened to six lanes. Fitzpatrick said it would detract from the beauty of Tampa Palms.
-- Susan Thurston can be reached at (813) 226-3463 or thurston@sptimes.com.