Council approves rezoning for West Spruce multifamily project after hours of neighborhood testimony

Tampa City Council on Thursday voted to adopt an ordinance rezoning 4202 West Spruce Street from RS-50/PD to a PD (plan development) designation that permits residential multifamily, despite extensive public opposition focused on geotechnical stability and neighborhood impacts.

The applicant’s representative, Alex Shaler, told council the revised plan addressed earlier neighborhood and staff concerns by lowering building heights adjacent to single-family homes, maintaining a 35-foot setback required by the West Shore Overlay District, relocating internal site circulation and removing previously requested waivers. “This final plan before you is completely waiver free. It’s 100% code compliant,” Shaler said.

More than a dozen residents from nearby Carver City and Lincoln Gardens urged the council to deny the rezoning, citing a documented history of land subsidence, sinkhole remediation, foundation cracking, chronic flooding, and limited access that they said would be worsened by thousands of new residential units. Veronica Sutton, a long-term resident, said she had receipts and remediation records dating back to 2009 and warned of continuing structural damage: “We had 36 helical piers placed under our home to stabilize it, $43,295,” she said.

Applicant counsel Tyler Hudson urged council to decide the case on the quasi-judicial record and applicable law, noting staff and every reviewing department found the project consistent with the comprehensive plan and land development code. “Every single reviewing department found this project consistent,” Hudson said.

Council members expressed sympathy for residents while repeatedly noting the legal standard for quasi-judicial land-use decisions: council must act on substantial, competent evidence in the record. After discussion, Councilman Luis Viera moved for adoption. The clerk recorded the vote as carried, with Councilmen Carlson and Miranda voting no and Councilwoman Young absent at the vote.

What happens next: the ordinance becomes effective as provided in the adoption language and the project will proceed to subsequent permitting phases consistent with PD requirements and any conditions council attached.