BLC gives preliminary OK to rooftop cover at Columbia Restaurant space, asks design changes

The Bay Latino Commission (BLC) on March 25 gave preliminary approval to a rooftop canopy over the north end of the Columbia Restaurant Group’s Casa Santo Stefano at 1607 North 20 Second Street in Ybor City, but asked the applicant to return with revisions to make the canopy appear lighter and to consider further setback from the building edge. The commission continued the item to its April 22 public hearing for final action.

The rooftop addition proposal would place a flat, weather-protective roof over a portion of the restaurant’s existing Second Floor dining area. Staff found the application “consistent with the Ybor City design guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior standards” for rooftop additions as submitted on March 5, but recommended measures to reduce the rooftop’s visibility and visual weight.

The project team said the roof is intended to make the Second Floor reliably occupiable during frequent afternoon and evening rainstorms and thereby improve the restaurant’s economic viability. “We invested almost $8,000,000 into that,” said Tim Steele, facilities and construction manager for the Columbia Restaurant Group, describing prior work on the property. Attorney Jeff Shannon said the plan balances preservation standards with the need for a practical, revenue-supporting solution: “The local and the Secretary of Interior standards are very important, but they also must allow for economic viability.”

Architect Joe Hafner and structural engineer Tom Dixon described the existing roof deck as a lightweight insulated assembly (a “holy board” system with topping) that cannot accept new interior columns without penetrating or compromising the drainage and insulation system. Dixon said the project team’s solution is to place multiple small steel columns near the parapet and support a concrete collector curb and concealed steel framing so that the new canopy does not penetrate the working deck drains. That arrangement, the team said, is the structural “hardship” that limits the ability to set the canopy farther back from the visible edge.

Staff planner Ron Vela urged the board to focus on visibility and recommended reducing the rooftop footprint and pushing the addition back from the primary elevation where feasible. “An addition should be positioned to minimize the visibility and impact on the proportions and profile of the historic building,” Vela said, summarizing the Secretary of the Interior guidance included in the staff report.

Commission discussion centered on two themes: (1) the documented structural constraints and economic argument from the applicant that a roof is needed to make the space viable, and (2) the canopy’s perceived visual “heaviness” and minimal setback from the historic parapet wall. Commissioners asked for smaller, thinner details (a narrower header/fascia and refined edge conditions), additional dimensioned renderings showing views from public vantage points, and documentation of any options to increase setback without compromising the roof drainage or structural integrity.

After discussion the commission moved to grant preliminary approval with conditions: reduce the canopy’s apparent weight, reduce the fascia/header thickness where feasible, explore additional setback of the canopy/columns from the building edge, and provide a written commitment that the rooftop will not be permanently enclosed. The board continued the item for final review at the BLC public hearing scheduled for April 22, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

The project team said it will revise drawings and study slimmer structural members and drainage options (including alternate guttering details and a possible reduction of the perimeter beam depth) and return to the board with updated renderings and dimensions. The BLC’s preliminary approval does not authorize construction; the commission will issue a final certificate of appropriateness only after receiving revised plans and completing its April 22 review.

Votes at a glance: Preliminary approval (motion made March 25) — outcome: preliminary approval and continuance to April 22, 2025; conditions: reduce appearance of canopy weight; reduce fascia/header thickness; investigate additional setback of columns/canopy; agree to no permanent enclosure. (Tally recorded in meeting: ayes; formal roll-call recorded as part of the BLC minutes.)

Next steps: Applicant to submit revised drawings addressing the four conditions; staff and applicant to coordinate and provide visual perspectives for the April 22 public hearing.