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Some residents oppose historical district plan

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By KATHY STEELE

ksteele@tampatrib.com

Published: April 29, 2009

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - An attorney representing some residents from Hampton Terrace has put the city on notice to halt plans for a local historical district.

"Simply stated, they want to be left alone," wrote attorney John Grandoff in an April 16 letter to the city's Historic Preservation Commission. A copy went to city officials, including Mayor Pam Iorio, and to Jeff Harmon, president of the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association.

Grandoff says in the letter that he represents 50 to 54 percent of 540 property owners living within the borders of Hillsborough, Nebraska and Hanna avenues, and 15th Street. His calculation is based on data provided by his clients who are described in the letter as "representative owners within Hampton Terrace," Grandoff said.

One of those clients, Wesley Warren, is gathering signatures on a petition aimed at seceding Hampton Terrace from the Old Seminole Heights association and forming its own association. Grandoff mentions that plan in his letter.

Harmon, at a recent board meeting, said the board is preparing its own letter to explain why secession is a bad idea. It has taken no position on formation of a historical district. Four board members, including Harmon and Shawn Hicks, live in Hampton Terrace.

"We are against it," said Hicks speaking of the secession proposal at the board meeting. He recently hosted a meeting of about 20 residents who oppose secession.

On the matter of the historical district, a volunteer committee of the association has spent about two years doing research that documents the district's history and the architectural styles of its structures.

Grandoff's letter asks the city for a written reply that the neighborhood will not be included in any "work plan" or study meant to set up a historical district.

"This was sort of unexpected at this time because we haven't been actively working on it," said Dennis Fernandez, the city's historic preservation manager.

Hampton Terrace has national historic designation, which is largely symbolic. City officials said it made sense to explore the potential for a local district but a decision would be based on a consensus of what Hampton Terrace residents want.

A local district proposal would be reviewed by the Hillsborough County Planning Commission and must be approved by city council. Such a designation protects the historical character of a neighborhood by mandating a review process of proposals to significantly alter the exterior of structures within the district. Grandoff said that raises the issue of how much control citizens want to give up to the government.

Fernandez said his staff has been focused on other issues and would not be able to begin work on Hampton Terrace until this summer.

Grandoff's letter has been referred to the city's legal staff, Fernandez said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652. Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

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