Council approves first reading of two South Tampa comprehensive plan amendments

Tampa City Council unanimously approved first reading consideration for two small-scale comprehensive plan amendments affecting adjacent parcels in the Parkland Estates neighborhood of South Tampa.

The Planning Commission’s Emily Phelan, planning commission staff, told council the first privately initiated amendment (file TACPA24-19) covers approximately 0.32 acres at 706 South Moody Avenue and would change the future land use from Residential 10 (R-10) to Community Mixed Use 35 (CMU-35). Under R-10, Phelan said, the site could be considered for about three dwelling units or roughly 4,800 square feet of nonresidential uses; under CMU-35 the parcel could be considered for 11 units or about 27,800 square feet. The commission recommended the amendment as consistent with the Tampa comprehensive plan, noting proximity to two HART bus stops and surrounding nonresidential uses.

Alex Shaler, applicant representative, described the Moody Avenue property as an interior design office on a parcel “completely surrounded in a sea of nonresidential development today” and framed the request as making a small parcel’s designation compatible with surrounding uses. Shaler asked the council, “Does a single family home belong on this parcel?” — arguing R-10’s single-family orientation is out of character with the immediate built pattern.

The second amendment (file TACPA24-20), initiated by Planning Commission staff, covers about 1.5 acres at 701 South Howard Avenue. Phelan said the western portion of that parcel currently carries Residential 10 while the eastern portion carries CMU-35; the proposal would designate the entire site CMU-35. Phelan reported that under current designations the site could be considered for roughly 39 dwelling units or about 95,500 square feet; under CMU-35 the site could be considered for about 52 dwelling units or about 130,000 square feet. Staff and the Planning Commission found the change consistent with policies promoting transit-supportive density and infill.

Both amendments were approved on first reading with council members voting unanimously; second reading and adoption for both items was scheduled for May 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Old City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd., Third Floor.

The amendments would allow potential introduction of multifamily and commercial general uses to parcels that are adjacent to collector roadways and transit stops; the items were presented as small-scale map amendments and did not include any specific site plans or development permits. Phelan noted that nonresidential uses under R-10 would still need to meet locational criteria, while CMU-35 expands the range of residential and nonresidential square footage the parcels could be considered for under the comprehensive plan.

Councilmembers did not receive public comment on either item during the hearing. The Planning Commission’s written findings of consistency with the comprehensive plan were the principal basis staff cited when recommending the amendments to the council.