Council advances Columbus Drive mixed-use project; neighbors secure gate and alley conditions

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa City Council on Jan. 23 voted to vacate a small alley and advanced a rezoning request for a multi-story mixed-use project at the West Columbus Drive / North Boulevard corridor, after the developer and neighbors reached agreement on several site controls.

Council adopted the ordinance to vacate the alleyway on second reading and then advanced a companion rezoning application to plan development (PD) on first reading, setting a second-reading vote for Feb. 20 with the developer’s agreed revisions.

Neighbors had raised safety and traffic concerns tied to the alley that runs behind homes on Glenwood and into the project site. Tony Monk, who said he represents immediate neighbors and the civic association, told council the community supported the project but insisted on a durable agreement that “the gate must be installed and maintained” so construction and longtime traffic would not be allowed to cut through the neighborhood. He said the gate…