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Agenda

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Full agenda packet (agenda plus every staff report and attachment): https://tarponspringsfl.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFile(fileId=3704,plainText=false)

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[0:11] I don’t think.
[2:58] It’s 630. It’s 630. And I’m going to officially call to order.
[4:11] September 21st, 2026 planning and Zoning Meeting of the City of Tarpon Springs. May we have a call to order? Vice Chair Vessey here. Mr. Rochlin here, miss early. Mr. Collins here.
[4:28] Mr. Wade. Here, miss. Miss Wade.
[4:32] Sorry. Mr. Morris here. We also have chairperson Curtis and Miss Swenson that are excused absent today. Let’s stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
[4:56] And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you remain standing. Mr. Rocklin is going to give us a moment of reflection. Thank you, Mr.
[5:12] Chairman. As we prepare for items that come before us here on our agenda, as well as the Water Commissioners and all the other volunteer boards in our city. We just ask for the wisdom and understanding to do what’s best, both for our citizens, for our business
[5:31] owners, and, of course, our own families. The year goes faster and faster. We’re kind of approaching the holidays at warp speed. It’ll be Halloween before you know it. Then Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years. You have some Jewish holidays in between and other
[5:46] other observances by other persuasions. So let’s, let’s take this time to remember that we are all children of a greater power, and we should cooperate with each other as much as possible and respect each other as much as possible.
[6:03] Amen. Amen. Next item is going to be tonight’s consent agenda.
[6:14] And if I understand our consent agenda, it’s going to be in this secret package here, which is the approval of minutes of previous meetings. As I understand, for those that might be new or familiar or not consent agenda, I’m going to just refer to it as an
[6:45] abbreviated agenda item. It’s stuff that would be regular business that we do in a quicker, unified package to move it along. In fact, maybe our council could take a moment.
[7:00] We don’t do consent agendas on a regular basis. Could you maybe give us just a brief for new and existing members what a consent agenda item might be?
[7:14] Didn’t mean to put you on the spot there, but I like to educate as we move along. I’m not going to be here forever, so. We can take this one. So typically it’s just going to be the previous minutes. As chairperson mentioned. And the Council for expediency sake is
[7:41] able to assume and accept all of them or multiple at once.
[7:48] Thank you. And it actually details out here. So tonight’s consent agenda is going to be.
[8:01] Minutes. From October 21st and 22nd. I may or may not have that right. I’ll be honest. I’m struggling. I had to borrow my wife’s glasses tonight.
[8:13] Tonight’s minutes that’ll be approved. They’re making me blinder than I would be if I wasn’t blind. I’ll just go without to golly gee, Willikers.
[8:21] Thank you so much. Okay, so tonight’s consent agenda is a November 17th, 2025 and be December 15th, 2025. Okay.
[8:32] These are meeting of the minutes, and I’m going to take a moment to elaborate. And this is purely my opinion, is that these are minutes that were for those meetings. Some may have been in attendance, some may not have been in attendance.
[8:47] Now, although it’s a consent agenda, meaning that we’ll just easily approve or disapprove.
[8:52] I’m of the thought that it’s important. If you were there at that meeting that you actually, if you can review the minutes to make sure, because you’re quoted within these minutes and you review it for accuracy.
[9:05] We’re just human beings. Our clerk is just a human being.
[9:08] And sometimes it might not come across as completely accurate.
[9:11] It would be very easy just to wash it away and say, I consent.
[9:14] But I’m of the thought that maybe it’s important to take the time to review the minutes for accuracy, especially if you’re at that meeting. Okay.
[9:23] Therefore, I’ve had a chance to review the minutes. I’m cool with that. Everybody else, if you haven’t, now’s a fine time.
[9:30] We can take a moment and break.
[9:32] You can review those minutes just to refresh your memory. We don’t need any time. I’d be looking for a motion for approval of the consent agenda.
[9:42] Items so moved, Mr. Chairman.
[9:44] Second, that was super fast. So we have a first and a second.
[9:49] And then according to the.
[9:56] Directions, do we need a roll call for consent agenda items?
[9:59] Okay. Roll call please, miss Wade. Yes. Mr. Morris. Yes. Mr.
[10:05] Collins. Yes. Miss. Early. Yes.
[10:08] Mr. Rocklin. Yes. Vice chair.
[10:10] Vessey. Yes. Our next item, we’re going to be looking for the quasi judicial announcements and swearing in of speakers. Mr. chairman. Yes, we’re going to approve December 15th as well. You know, I read them both as. I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that. That’s okay.
[10:31] That’s part of that whole consent agenda items is kind of rolled into one. Okay. Unless I’m wrong on that. Nope. I think I got that right.
[10:40] Swearing in and judicial announcement. Yes. This is a quasi judicial proceeding where the board acts in a quasi judicial capacity rather than a legislative capacity at a quasi judicial hearing. It is not the board’s function to make law, but rather to apply law that
[10:59] has already been established in a quasi judicial hearing. The board is required by law to make findings of fact based upon the evidence presented at the hearing, and apply those findings of fact to previously established criteria contained in the Code of Ordinances in
[11:14] order to make a legal decision regarding the application before it, the board may only consider evidence at this hearing that the law considers competent, substantial and relevant to the issues. If the competent, substantial and relevant evidence at the
[11:30] hearing demonstrates that the applicant has met the criteria established in the Code of Ordinance, then the board is required by law to find in favor of the applicant. By the same token, if the competent, substantial and relevant evidence at the hearing
[11:45] demonstrates that the applicant has failed to meet the criteria established in the Code of Ordinance and the board is required by law to find against the applicant. Now, at this time, I’d ask the board if anybody has had any ex parte communications related to any
[12:02] of the applications before us tonight. No. Seeing none, I would ask anybody who is wishing to speak on tonight’s application to stand and raise their hand. Do you? And I’m going to do it. Everybody, all at once. For efficiency’s sake.
[12:23] Do you swear or affirm that the testimony that you’re about to give in this proceeding is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so sworn?
[12:35] Thank you. Tonight we’re going to start with item, the only item on our agenda. She’s already up there. Resolution 2026-28, quasi judicial site plan approval. Go ahead, Miss Keane. All right. Thank you.
[12:53] Ali Keane, planning and zoning director. This is application number 26-33. It’s a site plan review for the Tarpon Registry project located at 144 East Tarpon Avenue. This is under resolution number 2026-28. The property is owned by the city
[13:11] and it is about 8112ft█!S in si The current land use designation is activity center and specifically within the Downtown Character district of the Special Area Plan. The property is in the T5B Tarpon Ave Main Street transect zone in the smart code, and the
[13:27] applicants are here today proposing a development that is a two story mixed use building.
[13:31] It totals about 11,731ft█!S in size. The first story is comprised of retail and event space, as well as an open courtyard. And the second story is a 15 room boutique hotel.
[13:42] The project also includes a balcony overhang along the Tarpon Avenue frontage. The subject property that most of you are likely familiar with is located on East Tarpon Avenue on the south side, here, outlined in yellow, this is a vacant, undeveloped lot that
[13:56] the city has had ownership over for quite some time. The entire area here is within the city’s Special Area plan, so it’s regulated by our Smartcode, the surrounding zoning or the transect zones are the T5B district along Tarpon Avenue.
[14:11] This is our Main Street district to the north and south of that area are your T4A and T4B transect zones. This is kind of residential mixed use districts. And then along Pinellas Avenue is the T five corridor. I just want to provide you a brief history of
[14:27] the subject property, the site that is more commonly referred to as the Forbes lot originally consisted of three buildings that were built in three different phases, from 1906 to the 1960s. The original building, which is this picture here on the top shown here, is
[14:42] housed, had a warehouse store as well as a bakery with residential apartments. On the second story in 2008.
[14:49] Unfortunately, the existing structures were deemed to be unsafe and not fit for occupancy. That led the city to acquire the property and then demolish the existing buildings due to their poor condition. In 2012. The city then sold the property to the city’s
[15:03] Community Redevelopment Agency, or the CRA, and that was for the sole purpose of redeveloping the property that’s downtown. After several attempts at redevelopment over the years, the city decided to hold an industry day in February of last year, and the
[15:17] purpose of this was to have the city explain to potential developers and interested parties the goals and visions for this future of the property downtown. And then in April, the city issued an INT or an invitation to negotiate to develop the site with mixed
[15:34] uses. And the city received three proposals to that end. It in. In October, the CRA board, which is the Board of Commissioners, selected the infill studio proposal, which is what’s here before you this evening, and that included the boutique hotel and retail and
[15:49] event space. In December of last year, the city and the developer entered into a development agreement for the proposed project. They went before the Heritage Preservation Board in July and September of this year, and did receive a certificate of
[16:02] appropriateness for the proposed project. And then today, they’re looking for the board’s recommendation to the commissioners on their site plan proposal. This is a look at the proposed site plan.
[16:14] Again, there’s two frontages for this property East Tarpon Avenue to the north here on the left side and then East Court Street to the south, on the east or left side, right side of the screen. The property is developed from property line to
[16:27] property line. The building is primarily situated to the east of the site, and this allows them to integrate an open courtyard in the center of the property. The courtyard has an opening from the Tarpon Avenue frontage, and then they have access to the building on both
[16:41] the court and in Tarpon Street.
[16:43] I’m sorry, Tarpon Avenue and Court Street frontages. They’re proposing to have an overhang balcony along the Tarpon Avenue frontage here, and that will be accessible to the hotel units at Front Tarpon Avenue. And then they will have the primary
[16:56] entrance for the hotel guests from Court Street. The proposed development agreement or development agreement was approved does include for on street parking spaces on East Court Street that will be dedicated to this project. This is a look at the proposed
[17:12] elevations of the north elevation on Tarpon Avenue.
[17:14] Here you can see the opening that leads to the open courtyard, as well as the overhang with the balcony access for the hotel units and then the south elevation on East Court Street. And then from here you can see the entry point for the hotel guests, as
[17:28] well as the service areas fully integrated into the facade, and it’s fully screened by an overhead door here. This is another look at some elevations of the interior interior courtyard. The primary thing I wanted to point out are the hotel rooms on the second story.
[17:44] That face that courtyard do have balconies and are able to overlook that open space. Here are some renderings provided by the applicant of the proposed project. This is the north elevation along Tarpon Avenue.
[17:56] Again, that open walkway that leads back to the courtyard.
[17:59] They are also proposing to integrate the historic name and date block from the original building in this entry area here. That is also a condition of approval from the Heritage Preservation Board. This is also showing the balcony overhang over Tarpon Avenue and
[18:13] as well, again, the entry to the retail spaces. This is a look at the south elevation along Court Street. Again it’s going to be primary entrance for the hotel guests. And this is the service area again that’s screened by the overhead roll up door. And this is just
[18:31] a closer look at the two entry points on Tarpon and Court Street here. Look at your proposed floor plans. The top is the first story again will have retail event space as well as an open courtyard and a lounge area. And then the second story will be comprised
[18:45] of 15 hotel rooms. With respect to your site plan criteria, the application is found to be consistent with the comprehensive plan, specifically with the intent of the Downtown Character district.
[18:55] That character district really focuses on the Tarpon Avenue frontage. It helps to encourage encourage the mixed use development. It also helps to support the existing downtown businesses. The Special Area plan also requires projects to have a compatibility review. As
[19:10] I mentioned earlier, it is compliant with the Downtown Character District standards, specifically the floor area ratio, the impervious surface ratio, and the lodging density.
[19:18] And it is also consistent with the terms of the development agreement. The project is located in the heart of our downtown, and the proposed scale massing and height meets the intent of the district, and it was found to be complementary to the historic
[19:30] district by the Heritage Preservation Board. Further, the Special Area Plan does have goals that specifically support temporary lodging within this area, and that helps to serve not only the growing tourist industry, but to support our existing businesses. The
[19:43] application is also found to be in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Smart Code, which is what regulates this area of our city, and it is also consistent with the terms of the development agreement, and those details are outlined further in page
[19:55] three of your staff report. The project does represent infill development. It’s a vacant piece of property right in the middle of a developed area. It is able to be served by our existing city facilities. The City Utilities Department did review the proposed impacts of
[20:08] the project, and they determined that it would not adversely affect the city facilities. And then lastly, the Technical Review Committee last reviewed this project on September 3rd of this year, and they ensured that all applicable building, fire and
[20:21] utilities and city codes were able to be met, and it is expected to be met with that.
[20:27] Staff does recommend approval of resolution 2026-28 of the site plan for Tarpon Registry.
[20:33] We do have seven recommended conditions which are outlined here on the screen. The first is that the applicant will need to coordinate at the time of permitting with the fire marshal. Final details and location of a fire hydrant that will be installed for this
[20:46] project. The second is the applicants are proposing to utilize pervious pavers in a portion of the interior courtyard, so at the time of permitting, they will have to provide the full system specifications and installation plans. And that’s really so
[20:59] we’re able to verify the permeability rate. The third is that per the Heritage Preservation Board approval, the historic name and date block must be incorporated into the building construction. I mentioned that earlier that it will be within the opening of
[21:11] the courtyard, and we will just verify that at permitting that it is included. Fourth is the construction plans must be consistent with the approved site plan, landscape plan and elevations five the developers responsible for meeting all minimum criteria of the code,
[21:25] as well as acquiring any jurisdictional permits and approvals. Six the development must comply with the public art program requirements. And then lastly, the site plan will expire in six months unless they obtain a building permit.
[21:37] With that, I will enter my staff report and presentation into the record, and I’m happy to answer questions. Questions for staff will start on our far left. All right. Good evening chairman. Thank you. Questions I wrote down reviewing this information. And I think a lot
[21:59] of this will come down to the question about parking. I know that’s a heated debate. First question I wrote down was hotel loading and unloading like an actual designated spot for that.
[22:14] I don’t see it anywhere on the plan. I guess what I would if I was checking into this hotel and all the parking spots are full, am I willing my luggage, you know, a few blocks so it would make sense to me to have a loading unloading, short term
[22:35] pull through for guests leads me to. My second part is parking only for designated spots. I. I like the building, I like everything about it and I think it will be a blessing to the city for it. But I think as a city, that’s, that’s something that they need to
[22:55] look at. The third, I don’t see a location for is the trash and facilities in that big garage door. Is that that’s where the correct. Yes. And the fourth question, the private structure into the public right of way, meaning the balcony supports
[23:18] into the sidewalk. I notice it said 3.2ft from the curb. I just want to make sure, and I know that it’s been cleared by all the. Make sure wheelchair Ada approved all the way through on Tarpon Ave. Those are the. And then who would be liable for. Is a city like
[23:41] where the post comes down in the middle of the sidewalk and there’s a crack in the sidewalk, or they need to repair, like how that is going to get divvied out, who’s responsible, who’s going to fix it and cover that if if need be. And then the I wrote down after the
[24:00] brief, the new fire hydrant, is that a city? Is that going to be funded by the applicant? The moving repositioning of the fire hydrant, the cost of all that would be would be my question. Okay. I think I can provide some some answers and clarification of for most of
[24:19] the questions with respect to parking. As some of you may be aware, there is a very small area of the downtown that does not have any minimum parking requirement. I think most of you are familiar with that.
[24:30] That area is just this orange section, the T5B district. So the project itself, based on its zoning and location, is not required to provide any on site parking. However, during the discussion for the development agreement and for the proposal,
[24:46] the city has agreed to designate those four parking spaces along East Court Street that front the property. For this particular use, the applicant can maybe expand on how they utilize that. If it’s a temporary or short term just for loading unloading, but
[25:01] those are designated for this particular project for the fire hydrant. Yes. The city or the applicant will be responsible for installing that fire hydrant, but it will be a city hydrant eventually. Once they get that installed, the service area. You are correct that this
[25:20] is where their dumpster grease trap everything will be located within here, and then fully screened by that roll up door.
[25:26] And that’s on the court street frontage. The responsibility of the overhang. So as far as the the size, the width, how far it is from the curb, it’s fully compliant with the code requirements. The smart code actually allows for balconies to extend as close as two feet
[25:42] from the curb. In this case, they have the three foot separation there. It does meet all possibility Ada requirements. For that, they will have to coordinate with the city, obviously, for the construction of the balcony in the right of way. And the
[25:55] development agreement also lays out some responsibilities of the city with respect to the two frontages as well as the developer. If you know, in the future there’s issues with sidewalks or whatnot. Primarily it’s a city sidewalk will be responsible for that. However,
[26:09] depending on what that is, if it’s related to the construction, there may be a conversation with the applicant.
[26:14] All right. Did I get all of them? You did. Okay. Thank you so much. Great. Great presentation. Thank you.
[26:24] Questions for staff. Yes. Thank you so much for for your time and putting this together in a very concise way. It’s very easy to understand for the most part, I think I think you did a great job. What I want to echo kind of is the unloading
[26:39] loading zone as dedicating one of those spaces. I just think it would be a good idea given we had, I think 16 daily trips were estimated for hotel retail space employees, deliveries and events. And we’re dealing with only four spaces, which I know
[26:55] we don’t require a certain amount for downtown, but just maybe an unloading zone would be a good idea. I do have a question on the to to echo off your balcony support post comment. I don’t think it would impede traffic. You look at cities like Ybor City, New
[27:16] Orleans, they have all those support posts all the times, and I don’t think you can cram more people into the streets as New Orleans does. So I just would ask that we make sure that there’s nothing there that could cause any unnecessary liability for the city, and
[27:35] that we could just make sure that that’s not impeding in the smack dab middle of the sidewalk. So I know I think it was three point something feet away from the curb. If I, if I recall, 3.2 or 3.2. Yeah. From the curb. Yeah. It has, but it’s seven basically seven feet
[27:54] from the front of the building to the edge of that balcony area. So you have extra space.
[27:58] Okay, okay. And just for comparison, it’s very similar to what two frogs downtown has that overhang. It’s very similar type of structure. Yeah.
[28:06] Perfect. Good. Yeah. Good deal.
[28:09] The other thing I had a question about the construction plan anticipates approximately 14 months of Court Street activity with staging and unloading and everything like that. How will like traffic Ada access nearby businesses? How how will they be affected? And
[28:29] I guess I’d go a step further and ask if there are any enforceable construction deadlines that we have to protect. You know, our, you know, the public’s investment in this. Yeah. So the that’s one of the main reasons we asked for the construction
[28:43] management plans is because the nature of that area is there’s a lot of people, there’s a lot of businesses. It’s small and compact. As far as the details of how they manage that, I can let the applicant answer the specific questions. As far as
[28:55] timelines for development. This was all kind of worked through the development agreement process. There’s a lot of time stamps and different phases that they have to meet for that as well. But as in terms of allowing accessibility, there’s,
[29:06] you know, they can’t impede other businesses and block, you know, access to other businesses. If the sidewalk for some reason has to be closed in that area for a certain area, we have to provide some sort of access way for pedestrians that safe to get around the
[29:18] construction area. So all of that would be worked through the permitting process as well as the inspection phase. Okay.
[29:24] Good deal. Because if my wife couldn’t get into her bookstore to the gilded page, then we have a problem. So that’s why I asked that. Perfect. Understood.
[29:34] The courtyard is an open access for everybody. Is it people that can just walk in? Is that the plan or. Yes. Okay. And there’s no pass through unless you go through the actual building according to the schematics. Is that correct?
[29:46] Right, right. So you’ll have the main access point from Tarpon Avenue frontage. And then it kind of walks back to this area here. And then there is a door here. But like I said, it’s primarily for the hotel guests, but it doesn’t go all the way through. Awesome. Okay.
[29:59] And the service door has glass in it. Yes. So we’ll be looking at tinted glass. So it’s still okay. There you go. That’s what I needed. Yeah. No, they didn’t know. They made sure it was tinted. Okay, perfect. And I had another thing in here, but
[30:15] ground floor. Oh, no. I’m going to reserve that comment. I heard a rumor that there was going to be a rooftop bar, and I’m kind of sad that that didn’t make it, but but I know, I know, so I think it got shot down or something. I’m not quite, but I’ll leave that to
[30:36] myself. Yeah. It was a rooftop bar, you know. No, I don’t know.
[30:41] Just just thinking out loud real quick for the record. Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. By myself, I guess. But no, I just thank you again for, for all your concise information here.
[30:53] It’s I think it’s an exciting project. Mr. Lee. Questions.
[31:03] Yes. Thank you. I’ll I’ll begin with telling you. Thank you for making it so attractive. I, I believe this rendering. I mean, it looks beautiful. I would echo the same concerns about parking. And I’m a little confused. I’m looking at a diagram. It is under two B,
[31:27] exhibit B, page one of four.
[31:31] And the reason I’m referring to that diagram say the page again.
[31:37] It is page one of four under exhibit B. Yep. That’s it. I was looking at the cars that are parked there. Looks like for 15 rooms we have a designated six spots. Is that right? Is that right? They according to the development agreement, they get designated
[32:02] the four spots along Court Street, which are these ones here? These are just existing on street parking spaces.
[32:09] There’s just cars in the drawing. They’re not necessarily specifically designated to this particular project. So they just have the four four specific designated correct. Okay. Yep. And I, I guess I’m trying to wrap my head around and I’m having
[32:27] difficulty and I know there are no parking requirements. I understand, however, this is a hotel and I would echo what is earlier a concern was loading and unloading. And we’ve all done that at hotels. I, I just I’m confused and and perhaps the applicant can enlighten us,
[32:54] but that that causes a real issue for me. And I know it’s not a requirement, but I’m concerned about it. Sure. Yeah.
[33:00] And I think that was really one of the primary purpose behind requesting those spaces. Being designated for the use was primarily for unloading and, and taking, you know, coming and going and loading your cars or whatnot. But like I said, they can, they can maybe expand
[33:15] on exactly how they’ll be utilized. Just, you know, a refresher on like the main reason why there’s not a parking requirement in this particular two block distance.
[33:25] You’re all familiar with Tarpon Avenue. Most of the properties are developed lot line to lot line, front to back. In some cases, there’s really no possibility to provide on street or on site parking. The idea behind it is we have public parking in the, you know,
[33:41] vicinity, five minute, ten minute walk. You have availability of public parking.
[33:45] The city over the years has been really working to make that more visible to the community, putting more signage up, getting more direction towards it. We always are actively looking for more parking solutions until maybe one day we have a grand parking
[33:57] solution downtown. But that’s really the idea behind it. If we required onsite parking in this particular area, it really would prevent virtually most projects just because it’s not feasible. So that’s the main, main reason behind it. But with
[34:14] that in mind, that’s why I think the four spaces were contemplated on Court Street for this particular project, because of what the proposed use was going to be. Did they address the the loading and offloading, you know, the whole loading and unloading issue?
[34:28] And I missed it, perhaps for this particular project, this project for well, for the guests. Like I said, I think that’s the main purpose behind the four spots on Court Street is to allow a space for guests to come in, unload their belongings, and then they can
[34:42] go and park elsewhere in the city. They would do it on Court Street. I think that’s the ideal location. Yes. All right.
[34:50] That’s all I have for now.
[34:52] Thank you. Questions for staff.
[34:59] The Preservation Board requested the stone marker that was on the original building be saved and applied somewhere here. And that has been done.
[35:13] Yes. Let me switch back over to the presentation. Okay. This is probably the best. I’ll show you in two spots. So they’re proposing to integrate that here. This is the Tarpon Avenue entrance to the courtyard kind of in this general area here.
[35:29] And then you look on the rendering and kind of see when you’re walking in, kind of integrating it into that, having some information about the original property and kind of putting it into that public walkway. There’s a proposed go back to that floor plan that
[35:43] shows the planter in the open courtyard. This picture here, there’s a planter designated.
[35:53] Is that going to have seating on the top of it? What’s the height of that? And is the reason just to block off the are you talking about this right here, this gray line showing here or over this way or this part right here? See where it says open courtyard
[36:13] proposed. Oh, proposed planter.
[36:14] There’s a big long planter.
[36:16] Okay. So I think that is going to just be used for for plantings. I’m not sure if there’s seating integrated, but it does allow access around sorry, around the planter area here. So I think the planter is just this little strip here in the center. Is it a cement
[36:34] something that’s I can let the applicant talk about the details of that. The landscaped areas, are they grass, real grass, manufactured grass. I saw multi glass grass on the plans, but that’s a tall one in the walking on court landscaped grass areas. Is it real grass
[36:58] or is it I don’t care, I just want yeah we can, we can defer to the details, but I think it’s a mixture of different types of plantings and ground covers. And I didn’t include the the landscape plan in this particular presentation, but it is in your packet and it shows
[37:13] there’s some different types of plantings and shrubbery in this 250 square foot landscaped garden area. So I think there’s a combination of different materials. And in that back area, that’s going to be for meetings and common areas.
[37:29] What’s the divider from that?
[37:33] What does that look like? Is it a glass panel? Is it a solid wall? This right here is the elevation this number. See this is looking towards here. So this is kind of an empty it looks like a glass glass wall window. Correct. That’s looking towards inside view of that. So
[37:52] like when you’re in the courtyard looking towards the wall. That’s on the right side.
[38:01] So so this is Court Street if this helps orientation, this is Court Street here on the bottom.
[38:06] Tarpons at the top is the A.
[38:09] What that’s showing is here.
[38:11] Over here below this one on Court Street to the left. Okay.
[38:18] Oh I’m sorry. Right here. Yeah.
[38:20] That’s for the roll up doors on one side. This this a right here it goes. This line for this dashed line is showing is where you’re seeing the elevation, this top portion here. So that’s basically if you’re standing in the inside the courtyard looking at the
[38:33] building, this is the elevation that you’ll see. The sea is inside the courtyard looking towards Court Street. And then the A is inside the courtyard.
[38:43] I’m sorry. Be inside the courtyard looking towards Tarpon, if that helps. If I’m walking from Tarpon Avenue into the courtyard. And then there’s that meeting room. Sure. Okay.
[38:53] What is that? Is that a solid?
[38:55] Sure. It’s this. It’s this elevation here that’s from the I think I wrote that’s looking north from Court Street. I want to be looking south from Tarpon Avenue toward Court Street. I believe this should probably say the south courtyard elevation, but it’s. So you’re
[39:11] walking in this direction here at the top on the screen, you’re walking in from tarpon this way and this face, this right you’re seeing here is this elevation, I believe I just should say south, I’m sorry, not north, but it’s this location. So you have a balcony
[39:26] for one of the rooms that’s on the second story. You have this glass wall here. So it’s not just a solid wall. Okay? Are the two spark. There’s been discussion about limited parking on Tarpon Avenue. Are those two spaces in front marked so that they can keep
[39:46] them longer than the limited parking time? Are they blocked off for the hotel? They’re not blocked off for the hotel, just the court. Street spaces are those will operate just like all the other on street parking on Tarpon Avenue. First come,
[40:00] first serve. Correct. And they’ll worry about how to mark the rear ones. That’s not our problem. They got to figure that out. Is the bar a full time functional bar or just for events? I believe it’s a full time bar, but the applicant can elaborate. But you can no
[40:23] longer walk from Tarpon Avenue through to Court Street without going in that back hallway of the hotel. Correct. Okay, there’s another way to go. You can go by the by the museum.
[40:34] That’s fine. The construction management narrative says there are 16 rooms. So there’s a there’s there’s only 15.
[40:45] They’re only proposing 15 in this proposal, correct? Yes.
[40:50] And it was pretty clear about not blocking Tarpon Avenue during construction. That’s.
[40:55] I’m glad I don’t have to lay out the timing for all this equipment coming and going, because that’s going to be tricky. Wish them good luck.
[41:03] It’s beautiful. Thank you for bringing this to our city. Mr.
[41:11] Rockland, your questions of staff. Yes. Just two quick thanks for the presentation was very, very well thought through and brought out. You have resolution 2026-28 and 2026-33.
[41:27] It’s the 1-28 that staff has the seven conditions for what, if anything, is resolution number 33. Okay, so you’re seeing two different numbers, very similar numbers. The 26-33 is the application number for the site plan. And then the actual resolution number is
[41:46] 2026-28. Thank you. Yes normally the case but they both said resolution. So sorry about that. I just want to echo my thoughts regarding the sidewalk columns taking up some space on Tarpon Avenue. The one elevation picture of the front also shows some planters. So
[42:09] they too would be, you know, take up a little bit of the sidewalk volume. And I know on the sponge docks, there’s a couple of areas where there’s a bit of a bit of a squeeze. So maybe that’s just food for thought about the size and location of those planters,
[42:23] because it is a two way sidewalk and you have families and that with carriages and things like that, you want to maximize your space and minimize your obstruction to a great degree, because the downtown can get pretty crowded.
[42:40] The last thing you want is people walking into the street.
[42:43] More than likely there’ll be cars parked there on a regular basis. However, never say never.
[42:48] So that was just food for thought. If those planters and they they look great in a photo until you have to stop and go around or, you know, maybe somebody in a wheelchair or a walker or something like that is inconvenient. So that’s, that’s my only thought in
[43:02] regards. Regardless, they would have to comply with Ada. Yeah.
[43:06] Accessibility requirements. So planters may not be a realistic option at this particular location. I think they’re part of the rendering. But maybe different plantings and flowers can be integrated in different way. If planters can’t be accommodated. They have some,
[43:17] you know, vertical kind of box ones that are a little bit smaller than the round, maybe only a foot wide and two, one by two. And you know, just, just food for thought that otherwise I think everything is progressing great. And I know the applicant has been very
[43:32] cooperative with the various city departments and everything else with their concerns. And I’m glad to see that we’re at this point. Thank you. Thanks.
[43:47] I don’t have any questions of staff. That is how perfect the drawing and the presentation was. So with me. No questions.
[43:56] I think we can move on to the applicant’s presentation if they would like to make one. If I said please just name and address to announce. Joe Harrington, 7504 North Mobley Road, Odessa. Good evening and thank you for the kind words. I want to first off and say that
[44:18] thank you to Ali and the city staff has been just tremendous to work through. We’ve gone through all the rounds of TRC and historic preservation, and the city has been our partner by his side, helping us through all that. But happy to answer
[44:32] any questions that you may have.
[44:35] Okay. So does anyone have any questions starting at that end of the applicant? Yeah, sure, sir. Good evening. I just I’ll reiterate what I said before your for designated parking spots, what is your plan? How do you see them being used. And
[44:55] I’ll go from there. A drop off and loading and staging. We had the same concerns, you know, having a hotel and being accessible for guests and having those spaces open for check in, bring in luggage. So we had the same thoughts, not as not like a designated pull
[45:11] through, but they would be pull in. It wouldn’t have a pull through would just be the for on street right along court, which is our back entrance to the hotel as well. So we’re going to direct guests to Court Street entrance. That entrance over there is really the main
[45:24] hotel entrance. You can actually get through through both sides, but we’ll address the hotel for Court Street.
[45:30] Okay. And I’m sorry my phone kicked off. Did you say there was a time limit for those parking spots? We don’t have a hard time limit on it, but, you know, we’ll we’ll manage them and make sure that they’re available for the. Okay. Right now. That’s all I got. Thank
[45:50] you sir. Thank you. Thanks for your time today. Appreciate you coming out and being here. It’s very important that we see the presence and that you’re on top of it. And it looks like you guys have done plenty happy to be here. Thank you. Yeah. I’ve
[46:10] seen certain hospitality management ideas that like you can do like guest timed check ins. You have from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. you have 30 minute segments, 1816 of those. So, I mean, I’ve seen that done before too. I think there’s a lot of options to manage that.
[46:26] Accordingly. Those parking spaces, you can do a 15 minute time zone, time limit, things like that. So I think I think the solution is there. When we weigh the benefit to the city to have this beautiful piece of architecture, this business, I
[46:47] think it’s going to bring a lot to downtown, and I want to commend you all for the hard work behind it. My biggest thing, of course, is just making sure that we everything with the construction deadlines are enforceable. We all know how construction delays happen.
[47:05] That’s constant. I’m assuming that the GC has relationships with all the subs that they’re going to, you know, they’ve worked with them before. It’s it’s a very delicate project.
[47:17] So I would just advise towards that, just at least making sure the PMS on on site every day.
[47:25] It absolutely. I’ve seen it not go that way, you know. So yeah, we’re very hands on owners.
[47:32] We’re, you know, we’re going to own and operate. And when we design and develop buildings all the time. So we’re very, very integrated into the construction process. Excellent, excellent. Thank you very much.
[47:44] That’s really all. I think it’s brilliant. I think it’s it’s going to add a lot. So I’m going to politely interrupt that. This moment is to ask questions of the applicant. Not necessarily. Well yeah. My question was necessarily comment on this or that or give
[48:02] instruction to this is about asking for question or clarification of the applicant.
[48:06] The things we may not understand that would weigh into our decision on the motion.
[48:11] Right. I think my question was, will the PM be on site every day? That was a yes. The answer I believe. Right. And project manager, general contractor, we just yeah, it’s just ensuring that that was going to be close oversight. I’ll probably be
[48:27] there most of the days.
[48:28] Excellent. I know you will.
[48:30] Thank you. Continuing on questions of the applicant, I do not thank you. Thank you.
[48:42] Questions of the applicant. Any questions Mr. Rocklin any questions of the applicant? No, just the construction management. Obviously it’s a busy downtown area. The fact that you have East Court Street to work out of, rather than just Tarpon Avenue is a
[48:57] blessing. So I’m sure it’ll be run accordingly. Thank you, thank you. I don’t have any questions either. So with that, did staff want to make any. I don’t think there’s any rebuttal or any comment about this. No, we’re good because there was no presentation. Just
[49:15] questions. Questions. All right.
[49:16] So then let’s move along. You can go ahead. And I just have one question though. On the on the conditions. Is it possible to extend it to 12 months? And the reason why I ask before you answer the reason why I ask is because you know where we are
[49:33] in the process, where normally by the time you get to this point, we have a fully designed ready to permit and submit. We don’t have the land yet. So this is the close on the land.
[49:42] And then we’re releasing design and permitting. So I do think that we can meet that deadline, but it’s going to be very, very close. And I don’t want to have to. Sure. Let me just that’s a requirement in our code. Let me just double check that there is
[49:55] a process for an extension. I just want to see if we can integrate it into this point now. So just one moment. Thank you. We’ll take a break. But we’re going to wait for Miss Keen to be able to answer that, because the applicant has just asked for a change in the
[50:11] application that was just submitted to us. And she’s going to try and find a way to work that in today. Probably not. It was public notice and it was with us. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any validity. It just means that it’s kind of a last minute
[50:29] request on documents that are submitted. And it would be a change in the motions. Yes. You guys can. The Board of Commissioners is able to incorporate with their approval, so you can make a recommendation to extend that to a different time period. So
[50:51] it’s an alternate phasing plan.
[50:53] So if they want requesting 12 months, you can change the condition to have the 12 months.
[50:59] Okay. So could you maybe just clarify speak for the applicant and describe exactly what it is that he’s requesting and how that motion would be adjusted by whomever is going to make a motion? Sure. So to explain exactly what the request is,
[51:16] typically our code requires, once you get your site plan approval, you have six months to actually obtain your building permit. That can be quite difficult for some larger projects to do that. There’s a lot that goes into the construction plans. However,
[51:30] the code does allow the commission to have an alternate phasing plan. So if they’re requesting a 12 months, this is the time to do that.
[51:37] Incorporate into the conditions.
[51:40] So for your motion, you can, if it’s recommended approval, you can include staff’s recommendations. With the exception of extending the site plan expiration to 12 months from the effective date approval date. Everybody get that. Yeah. Quick question, if
[51:56] I could. Yes, sir. The the clock would start ticking upon approval by the Board of Commissioners. Correct. Okay.
[52:04] Yes. Yeah. It comes the day that they approve the resolution. And currently that’s six months. Correct. The the code allows six months. And then the request is to extend that to give them 12 months to obtain their permit. So physically permit in hand,
[52:18] ready to construct. Mr.
[52:21] chairman, I have one. I thought of one more question. Maybe the applicant can answer it. It’s for the art project, sir. We didn’t clarify it. Is it going to be on site or in town?
[52:35] That’ll be on site. You can see it a little bit in that rendering. But what we’ve anticipated is having public art throughout the courtyard that tells the history of Tarpon Springs. So we have we have three different sections.
[52:48] The historic face block from the building will be part of that exhibit. We’ll also incorporate art in other places in the building. But yeah, the intent is to have it all in, in, in integrated into the project.
[53:03] Awesome. Thank you sir. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Okay, so we have another question and that’s okay. We’re just a little bit out of sequence here.
[53:12] So you have a question of the applicant. Just a quick one.
[53:15] You you said forgive me. You said you’ve done this. You’ve you’ve developed and built buildings similar to this before. Anything nearby that I would know. Are you familiar with the Heights in Tampa, Tampa Heights? No. You’ve been lately the restaurant you
[53:33] lately in that area. Okay. That that I did that that project that was one of I did a few of the projects around there. Okay.
[53:42] But really that was what interest me in infill development. Those were some of the first projects that I worked on in Tampa and, and continued to continue to grow on those. So there’s a several right in there, but it’s an infill harder than other
[53:56] development. Yes, it is much harder. But you like it. Yeah.
[53:59] Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Okay then. Thank you. So now that the staff has presented, the applicant is presented, we’ve asked all the questions. We’re going to see if the. Any public comment. There was a time when we had the the electronic public comment. He’s not up
[54:22] there. Okay. So no we don’t have we don’t have that anymore.
[54:25] Just for clarification, I know I ask every meeting to, but I’m never going to quit. Okay. We don’t have any rebuttal, so we are going to close the public portion of the presentation.
[54:40] I’m going to ask for a motion, but I’m going to remind that the motion has been modified via staff’s terms, which is if one were to make a motion, it’s going to be as the application with conditions and the modified condition for the extension of the building
[54:56] permit. Do I have a motion? I would make that motion, Mr.
[55:00] Chairman, to approve application number 2026-28, resulting in resolution number 2026-33. With the seven conditions aforementioned by the staff, but changing the one from the six month limit to the 12 month limit for obtaining a construction permit. Second.
[55:20] Second A race for second. The lady won the race. We have a motion. We have a second. This is our opportunity for board discussion where we might give opinion or reference to why we said what we did, or ask any questions amongst ourselves. So
[55:41] any board discussion at the far left? Chairman, I think everything was answered to a standard level. For myself personally, I would like to see a pull through, but the applicant showed his plan to utilize the four designated spaces and so we’ll go with
[55:59] that. But I think it’s a great, great for the city. Thank you, thank you. Continuing on, any board comments echo those sentiments. I think it’s great.
[56:09] I think yeah, just as long as we manage the parking to the best of our abilities, I see no reason why we shouldn’t go forward with it. No, I don’t have anything. Thank you.
[56:23] Continuing on, any discussion about the motion, any adjustment to the motion? Any comments? Thank you. No discussion here. Let’s have a roll call. Miss Wade. Yes, Mr.
[56:38] Morris? Yes. Mr. Collins. Yes.
[56:41] Miss. Early. Yes. Mr. Rocklin.
[56:44] Yes. Chair. Vessey. Yes. Any carries? Congratulations. Okay, one more step. Okay. Ladies and gentlemen, that is the end of the business, as I understand it. And so now we’ll move to.
[57:01] Are there any board and or staff comments? I have no comments. Thank you. Great questions this evening. Any board comments. Anything anybody’s thinking of? Just as usual, the presentation was outstanding. Thank you. Well then. 723. We’re closed.