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Fight over proposed Harbour Island apartment tower goes on

 
Published Dec. 15, 2014

TAMPA — A group of Harbour Island condominium residents has lost a round in their battle against a planned 21-story apartment tower next door, but the fight isn't over.

After taking evidence from both sides, a hearing officer has concluded that city officials followed proper procedures when reviewing plans for the Manor of Harbour Island, a 340-apartment tower proposed at 402 Knights Run.

Developers with the Related Group of Miami have proposed the tower, where rents for the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments would average about $2,400 a month.

As part of the project, Related received city approval to build a skywalk from the tower to the garage at the neighboring Two Harbour Place building, where most of the Manor's parking would be.

Related has said the tower's design would have a "Parisian look," with arched windows, mansard roofs and a porte-cochere entry.

Despite the European architectural flourishes, some condo owners in the 20-story Plaza Harbour Island next door view Related's plans with alarm.

They contend that the new project doesn't comply with Harbour Island's zoning and would create traffic problems and hurt the quality of life of residents who already live there. And they say the city should not have okayed the skybridge.

"The zoning on the island does not permit that parking arrangement," said John Grandoff III, a land-use attorney who represents residents in the Plaza.

City officials should have reviewed the Related Group's proposal as a substantial change to the existing zoning, Grandoff said.

But hearing officer Steven Pfeiffer disagreed last month, concluding that the project — skybridge included — is consistent with the city's ordinance.

City officials reviewed Related's plans this summer. The City Council approved releasing an easement for the skybridge on June 26, then declined to revisit the issue on July 31 at the request of opponents.

Now the project goes back to the council a third time, probably Thursday, so council members can consider Pfeiffer's recommended order.

Even then, opponents would have 30 days to appeal the council's decision to Hillsborough County circuit court. And Grandoff expects they would.

"I think (Pfeiffer's) wrong," Grandoff said.

Nearby, a second tower on the other side of the Plaza is under construction, with an opening expected in early 2016.

Also 21 stories, the second tower will have 235 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, plus two-story townhouses. The tower also would have its parking in its own on-site garage — a key distinction from Related's project. It is being built by Greg Minder of the Intown Group, Phillip Smith of the Framework Group and Robert Moreyra of Forge Capital Partners.

Meanwhile, Related has been talking to contractors and working on permitting to be ready to go. If procedural challenges ended, the company could be looking at a ground-breaking near April or May, followed by 14 or 15 months of construction.

"All our capital's lined up," said Arturo Peña, Related's vice president and development manager.

If there are further challenges, their duration would be a key factor in determining what impact, if any, there would be on the project.

"If there was an appeal," Peña said, "it would be a question of what happens to the market during that appeal."

Contact Richard Danieson at rdanielson@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3403. Follow @Danielson_Times.