ARC denies roof material change for Cloisters at Hyde Park; owners pressed by costs, contractor proposes high‑wind shingle system

The Architectural Review Commission denied a request to replace existing barrel/concrete roof tile on a two‑story condominium complex at 909 South Rome Avenue with an asphalt dimensional shingle system.

Applicant and contractor presentation: Owner John Sirochi described ongoing leaks and tile failure after high winds in 2023 and told the commission the homeowners association lacked funds to replace the roof with new clay or concrete tile. Roofing consultant Lenny Gonzales of Westfall Roofing explained the team’s concerns about the installed concrete tile and underlayment — including batten deterioration and simplex nail corrosion — and proposed an Owens Corning "Duration" high-wind dimensional shingle system with copper‑infused granules intended to resist mold and mildew and to deliver a 15–20 year material/workmanship warranty when installed as a complete system.

Staff and standards: Dennis Fernandez, the city’s architectural review and historic preservation manager, told commissioners that roof material and detailing are an important character-defining feature in Hyde Park and that his office had referred the application to the ARC because the requested change from barrel tile to an asphalt shingle would exceed administrative authority. Fernandez pointed to the Hyde Park design guidelines and ARC standards that direct repairs or replacements to "like" materials where possible and not to introduce materials "which are not characteristic of the building style."

Public detail and evidence: The building was constructed in 1988 and is noncontributing to the historic district, staff noted; however, the parking structure adjacent to the units retains original barrel tile. The contractor said the concrete tile currently in place was older stock, that several units have active leaks, and that the HOA raised about $75,000 through an assessment but could not afford a full tile replacement at competitive clay‑tile prices.

Commissioners’ rationale and motion: Commissioners said they were sympathetic to the owners’ financial constraints and the need to stop active leaks, but also noted ARC responsibility to preserve the district's appearance. Several commissioners observed that roof tiles contribute substantially to the building’s overall look, and that the design guidelines call for replacement with similar materials when practicable. The ARC denied the certificate of appropriateness, citing inconsistency with the Hyde Park design guidelines and with Chapter 27 of the City of Tampa Code because the proposed shingle material was not characteristic of the building’s Spanish/eclectic cues. The commission encouraged the owners to pursue options with staff, including higher‑fidelity tile alternatives (clay or better‑specified concrete tile) or higher‑end synthetic/metal products that reproduce tile form, and noted the option to seek a hardship/economic-necessity determination at a later step to the City Council if the HOA cannot finance a tile replacement.

What this means: The denial requires the HOA and its contractor to return with a design that better matches the building’s tile character or to pursue the city’s administrative hardship processes. ARC members emphasized the difference between a privately held financial constraint and the commission’s duty to preserve the district’s visual character.

Quotes from the hearing: "The standards require roofing and detailing as defining of the character of the house and the surroundings," staff told commissioners during the review. Contractor Lenny Gonzales said the proposed asphalt system provides a realistic, long‑warranty option for owners who cannot afford tile and that modern shingle systems can include mold‑resistant granules and high‑wind attachment methods.

Next steps: Owners may work with staff and the roofing consultant to return with a proposal that meets ARC guidelines or seek City Council review for an economic hardship exception if they cannot finance a tile replacement.