Hyde Park preliminary OK: Commissioners grant preliminary approval for 1806 West Bristol plan with conditions

Tampa — The Architectural Review Commission gave preliminary approval May 5 to a proposed two‑story single‑family house at 1806 West Bristol, in the Hyde Park Historic District, subject to a set of conditions the commission said would reduce the new building’s perceived massing and better align its street presence with historic neighborhood patterns.

Staff and the project agent said the lot is larger than many RS-50 parcels in Hyde Park and the current design had been revised after an earlier hearing to bring roof pitches down, reduce overall massing and move the main wall plane back about six feet so the new building’s front orientation lines up more closely with neighboring houses. Ron Viela, historic preservation staff, told commissioners the revised plan lowered the finished-floor elevation and reduced impervious area estimates to about 48 percent, keeping the project under thresholds that would trigger additional on-site retention requirements.

Agent Hansel (presented as "Hansel") and property owner Mark outlined the project’s layered massing approach — a small front porch closest to the street, a recessed first-floor plane and a stepped second floor — and a materials palette that calls for cement stucco, aluminum-clad windows, a shingle roof and wood porch ceilings. The team said the design retains an existing contributing accessory structure on the lot and limits changes to the public-facing elevations.

Commissioners and staff raised several outstanding issues the applicant must address before final approval: remove or redesign the raised masonry planters shown at the front to rely on grade-level landscaping instead; reduce or eliminate how far the front porch projects into the front setback so it does not sit “proud” of adjacent porches or columns; re-evaluate the large window groupings to create better balance and symmetry with the neighboring fenestration patterns; provide full wall sections and detailed plans for the connector to the accessory structure; and supply finalized materials and lighting selections. The applicant agreed to return with completed drawings and materials for a full certificate-of-appropriateness hearing on June 4 and confirmed staff’s submittal deadline.

Commissioners cited the Hyde Park Design Guidelines in their deliberations and noted the guidelines encourage new construction that is “unique in design while reflecting basic scale, materials and qualities found in early buildings in Hyde Park.” Staff recommended continued collaboration on massing and materials but supported preliminary approval. The commission voted unanimously to grant preliminary approval and set conditions. The item will return for final review June 4, 2025.