Seven-story Narrows development project discussed

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – Development issues soon may return to the forefront as ideas for a possible mixed use seven-story project take shape and enter the public arena.Menahem Roth, owner of a 2-acre parcel in the 300 block on the east side of Gulf Boulevard, has been talking to individual city commissioners and city staff about a possible mixed-use commercial and residential project. The 300 block of Gulf Boulevard is in The Narrows, as the business triangle is now called. Roth also owns the Walsingham Road property where the former GTE switching station building is located.Roth has provided the city with several conceptual renderings, most of which feature five stories over two-story parking garages. The city’s current code and comprehensive plan would not permit buildings of that height or density.Mayor Bill Ockunzzi said he has discussed project ideas “very conceptually” with Roth on several occasions over the past year or so. Ockunzzi said he told Roth that it would not be allowed under state law to increase the residential density in the coastal zone, but said he suggested to Roth that the density of his GTE building could be transferred to the proposed site because it wouldn’t result in a net increase in density for his total properties.Ockunzzi said he told Roth, “after you transfer the density off of the GTE building, it’s not worth anything anymore, and you can turn it over to the city.”Roth confirmed that he would donate the GTE building to the city in exchange for the density transfer. Ockunzzi said the GTE building would have to be renovated, but could be considered as a possible site for a new city hall, library or fire station.Commissioner Jim Palamara also mentioned a density transfer in a July 5 meeting with City Manager Al Grieshaber, according to Grieshaber’s file memo documenting the meeting. Palamara’s remarks support a concept for two buildings for the Gulf Boulevard site with “a lot of green space between the buildings.” According to the memo, Palamara told Grieshaber the buildings “would be compatible with the neighborhood and allow The Narrows to become a viable part of the community.” Roth also met recently with Vice Mayor R.B. Johnson, who is vehemently opposed to Roth’s proposals. For one thing, said Johnson, a seven-story project would be more than twice as high as permitted under current code. “All of the buildings on that side of Gulf Boulevard from Walsingham south are low-rise, and this project would tower over them,” Johnson said. “We don’t need a skyscraper ghetto in the middle of that district like they’re building on Clearwater Beach.”Nor does Johnson see any value in the city acquiring the GTE building as part of a density swap. “Why would we show this much favoritism to one developer, just to get the GTE building for which we’re not even sure we have a use?” said Johnson.Commissioner Jose Coppen says he has not met with Roth about this project specifically but heard about it over a year ago. He has seen the conceptual renderings at city hall and said they appear to be massive with excessive height. Coppen said he would reserve judgment until he sees the complete package that is brought to the commission.A seven-story project would require a supermajority vote, he said, and like Johnson, commented that it would be inconsistent with the current heights in the area. Ockunzzi recommended that Roth bring his ideas to a commission workshop to get input from the commission and the public on an acceptable project before submitting any formal plans. Roth said he is not interested in doing a project unless it fits in with the look of the city and has the support of the citizens.“We want something to happen in the triangle, and this is one of the key parcels,” said Ockunzzi. “We ought to get people talking about it, and see if we are reasonably close to the same page.”