The Tampa City Council on Feb. 6 overturned a zoning administrator’s denial of a special-use application for an extended-family residence at 6801 North Orleans Avenue and approved, on first reading, an ordinance to designate the Dobie House at 1405 West Azeal Street as a local historic landmark.

Council overturned zoning denial for Orleans Avenue property

A review hearing for special-use application SU-12476 asked council to reexamine staff’s May 16, 2024 denial based on City of Tampa code section 27-132, which staff says requires a 60-foot front setback for extended-family residences. City staff and the applicant described the lot as a corner parcel whose narrow dimension and existing construction make meeting the 60-foot setback infeasible.

The council ultimately voted to overturn the zoning administrator’s denial, allowing the applicant’s extended-family residence request to proceed. Council member Hertak made the motion to overturn; Council member Carlson seconded. During the vote Council member Clendenin recorded a “no.” Council members Henderson, Miranda, Carlson, Hertak and Maniscalco recorded “yes.” One council member was recorded absent for the vote. The applicant, Danielle Maza, told council she built based on contractor advice and sought a reduction of the Hiawatha (front) setback to 10 feet and a corner-side setback to four feet to accommodate the accessory structure and preserve a live oak on the lot.

Why it matters: The council applied a de novo standard of review and accepted evidence beyond the original staff record when considering whether the extended-family use could be allowed despite not meeting the 60-foot setback in code section 27-132. The decision permits the property owner to pursue the use under council authorization rather than the zoning administrator’s denial.

Dobie House local landmark approved on first reading

Council also approved on first reading an ordinance (file HL25-10735 / HPC24-27) to designate the circa-1912 Dobie House at 1405 West Azeal Street as a local historic landmark. Planning and historic preservation staff presented the property’s historical association with Richard Dobie and the Dobieville community, noting contributions Dobie made to neighborhood institutions including Dobieville Elementary and Zion Cemetery. The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval on Sept. 17. The ordinance cleared first reading with a recorded affirmative vote; one council member was absent for the vote. Second reading and adoption are scheduled for Feb. 20, 2025 at 10 a.m. in council chambers.

Why it matters: Local landmark designation invokes protections under section 27-257 of the City of Tampa code and triggers local review and demolition controls beyond a National Register listing.

What the council recorded (actions at a glance)

- SU-12476 (6801 North Orleans Avenue): Council motion to overturn zoning administrator denial; mover: Council member Hertak; second: Council member Carlson; recorded yes votes from Henderson, Miranda, Carlson, Hertak and Maniscalco; recorded no from Clendenin; one member absent; outcome: approved (overturned). Authority cited in the hearing included City of Tampa Code section 27-132 and related site-development standards. The applicant was Danielle Maza.

- HL25-10735 / HPC24-27 (Dobie House, 1405 West Azeal Street): Ordinance presented for first reading to designate the Dobie House as a local historic landmark; mover: Council member Carlson; second: Council member Condon; motion carried on first reading with one member absent; second reading scheduled for Feb. 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.; outcome: first-reading approved.

Ending

Council handled the two land-use items as formal legislative actions: the SU item by overturning an administrative denial under a de novo review and the Dobie House by advancing local landmark designation to second reading. The council’s minutes show both items will return for further formal action or implementation steps in coming meetings.