St. Petersburg Vote on Tropicana Field Redevelopment

City Council Delays Vote on Redevelopment

ST. PETERSBURG — A vote that might allow sweeping redevelopment round Tropicana Field to proceed as proposed has been delayed at a City Council member’s request.

Thursday’s City Council assembly included the second and remaining listening to on zoning adjustments that might result in 25 acres west and south of Tropicana Field to match the zoning of the remainder of the event, to be known as the Historic Gas Plant District.

Reasons for the Delay

The Tampa Bay Rays and their redevelopment accomplice Hines might redevelop the land with out the zoning change. But the change would permit for extra mixed-use growth to encourage places of work and different employment facilities and never simply emphasize residential growth.

City Council member Gina Driscoll, whose downtown district contains Tropicana Field, needed to see how metropolis officers responded to a home-owner affiliation president’s considerations about elements of the event he detailed in an April electronic mail. She stated threads of correspondence are normally included within the documentation for zoning adjustments, however replies to his emails weren’t included.

“The backside line is, I’d like extra time. I’m certain I can get there, however I’m not there immediately,” Driscoll stated. “The alternative is I’ll vote no, or we will have a continuance.”

Driscoll’s no vote seemingly would’ve joined the three prior no votes from council members Richie Floyd, Lisset Hanewicz and John Muhammad from the primary listening to in June. A tie 4-4 vote would’ve defeated the zoning change. With stadium supporter Copley Gerdes absent Thursday, council members voted unanimously to delay the vote one week to Aug. 8.

Concerns Raised by a Homeowner Association President

Rob Roth, president for the Central sixteenth Homeowners Association northwest of the Trop, outlined three considerations in his electronic mail to a planning official: stadium visitors considerations, parking deck placement, and preserving inexperienced area. He requested that the lot designated for one in every of two stadium parking garages be used as an alternative for residential or workplace area or a park.

“As the one ground-level rental neighborhood within the district that has handled each vehicular and pedestrian stadium visitors, we kindly request a reprieve from such exercise,” wrote Roth, whose nook unit is subsequent to the stadium.

Response to Concerns

After the assembly, Driscoll stated she didn’t increase considerations on the first listening to as a result of she normally lets proposals go ahead to the second listening to. She stated she acquired the e-mail that metropolis officers despatched to Roth acknowledging his feedback, which was additionally obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.

Driscoll stated she is cautious about making extra public feedback concerning the concern as a result of it’s a quasi-judicial continuing. She stated that guidelines bar her from studying any materials despatched to her or from reaching out to Roth instantly. She wouldn’t say if she shares the identical considerations as Roth or how she would vote subsequent week.

“My concern is ensuring that this resident and the residents he’s representing from his growth are being heard and that we’re being delicate to that and never simply steamrolling over this,” Driscoll stated on the assembly.

Impact of the Delay

Reached by cellphone, Roth stated he was shocked to listen to his electronic mail delayed the vote.

“It paid to jot down that electronic mail,” he stated with fun. “If I might get something however a parking deck, I’ll be joyful.”

Zoning Changes and Land Ownership

The zoning change would have an effect on seven publicly owned parcels of land positioned west of sixteenth Street South and Fourth and Fifth avenues which might be at the moment used as floor parking and overflow tons. About 20 of these acres are owned by Pinellas County with the rest owned by the town.

Conclusion

The determination to delay the vote on the redevelopment round Tropicana Field highlights the significance of neighborhood enter and considerations in large-scale tasks. It is important for all stakeholders to be heard and regarded earlier than shifting ahead with vital adjustments that may affect the encompassing areas. The further time granted by the City Council will permit for a extra thorough evaluation of the proposed plans and deal with any excellent points raised by residents.

FAQs

1. Why was the vote on the redevelopment delayed?

The vote was delayed on the request of City Council member Gina Driscoll to handle considerations raised by a home-owner affiliation president concerning stadium visitors, parking deck placement, and inexperienced area preservation.

2. What are the implications of the delayed vote?

The delay supplies a possibility for additional evaluation and consideration of the proposed redevelopment plans, guaranteeing that the pursuits of all stakeholders are taken into consideration earlier than shifting ahead.