Tampa panel approves variances and grants conditional certificate for 2914 N. Nebraska affordable housing project

A City of Tampa historic‑preservation hearing on Jan. 28 approved two variances and granted a certificate of appropriateness with conditions for a proposed 20‑unit mixed‑use affordable housing development at 2914 North Nebraska Avenue in the Ybor City historic district.

Commissioners approved a parking reduction from 23 to 20 spaces, a structure‑height increase from 45 feet to 48 feet 6 inches to allow an open‑air rooftop trellis, and a certificate of appropriateness for the project’s design. The certificate was approved with a set of conditions that require follow‑up design work with city staff on windows, water‑table placement, stucco control joints, fence materials, rooftop mechanical screening and other details.

The applicant, owner Thad Bridal of Urban Reworks, said the project is intended as workforce housing with ground‑floor retail to provide on‑site property management. “The solution to homelessness is affordable housing. And affordable housing is the number 1 challenge facing our community,” Bridal told the commission, tying the proposal to neighborhood housing needs.

Attorney Colin Rice, representing the applicant, framed the parking request around the city’s comprehensive plan and site constraints, noting the project’s proximity to transit. “We are about 200 feet from a a Hart transit stop,” Rice said, and the application includes bicycle parking and other measures to reduce demand for car trips.

Ron Vila, planner with Historic Preservation staff, told commissioners the application had been reviewed and that the packet provided the evidence for deliberation; he also noted that staff does not take…