Controversial Hyde Park rezoning vote ends without decision

TAMPA -- After listening to deliberations for six hours Thursday night, the City Council was unable to reach a consensus on a controversial Hyde Park Village rezoning.

The meeting, which ended about 1:20 a.m. Friday, resulted in an indecisive 3 to 2 vote in favor of rezoning. Councilman Charlie Miranda, who was absent from the meeting, will cast the deciding vote. The City Council will revisit the unfinished business Thursday.

Councilman John Dingfelder recused himself from voting because of a possible conflict of interest -- his law firm is in Hyde Park. And councilwoman Mary Mulhern vehemently opposed the development, shunning the high density of residential and retail space in a historic district.

Linda Saul-Sena initially moved to approve the project, then withdrew her motion.

"This is so hard," she said. "I have gone back and forth about 10 times. It's not that I'm tired. I'm just conflicted."

Councilman Tom Scott then moved to approve the project, and was joined in supporting it by council Chairwoman Gwen Miller and Councilman Joseph Caetano. Saul-Sena ultimately sided with Mulhern, voting no.

Lawyers, architects and other development supporters argued that the rezoning would revitalize the struggling retail park. Homeowners and neighborhood leaders, including Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita, passionately opposed such a large-scale and high-density structure in a historic district.

"We have to make this area an exception," Hyde Park Village developer David Wasserman said. "Aren't these the kinds of things that make Tampa special?"

Wasserman Real Estate Capital, which owns Hyde Park Village, asked to build a $100-million upscale complex of shops and two condominium towers up to nine stories high. The project will add 163 residences, split among the now-closed movie theaters on Swann Avenue and the parking garage on Rome Avenue. The developer also wants to add more office and retail space and include public art in the plans.

Neighborhood residents and those who serve on historic preservation boards have rallied against the change, objecting to the height of the condos and population density.

The city's Architectural Review Commission, which evaluates development in historic districts, has twice rejected the developer's plans for being incompatible, but its opinion is only a recommendation. It is the City Council that gives the official stamp of approval.

The developers brought out big guns for their lobbying effort, recruiting former Gov. Bob Martinez, who was mayor of Tampa when Hyde Park Village was built, and former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, whose district included Hyde Park.

Both the politicians work for the developer's law firm, Holland & Knight. They met with city officials and pressed the case for the project individually with residents.

Early in the evening, before the public comment period began, City Council member Joseph Caetano made his stance on the project clear. "The mayor keeps saying we're the next great city," he said. "We'll never be the next great city if we keep voting no to projects like this."

- Emily Nipps, Times staff writer