Kennedy Boulevard redevelopment advanced with conditions: underground utilities, loading space and height cap sought

Tampa City Council advanced a large plan-development amendment for a Kennedy Boulevard block, approving first reading while negotiating site changes intended to address neighborhood concerns over shade trees, deliveries and density.

The project, a modification to a previously approved PD, would increase the development to about 292 residential units, add roughly 1,629 square feet of commercial uses compared with the 2022 approval, and rely on a bonus provision that the applicant says will provide 10% of units as affordable (30 units at 120% of AMI). Applicant representatives said the revised design unifies a block and lowers the building by two stories in its residential massing; David Singer, representing the applicant, said the changes “allow us to lower the height by 2 stories” and add storefront activation on Kennedy Boulevard. Neighbors and council members pressed the developer to add a dedicated loading berth because of concerns deliveries would otherwise spill into neighborhood streets; Carlos Ramirez (North Hyde Park neighborhood association) warned of parking spillover and fire-lane impacts. Council directed the applicant to: add a loading space on the site plan, provide a maximum height of 6 stories or 75 feet (with limited accessory exceptions noted), and pursue confirmation from TECO about undergrounding utilities to permit larger shade trees. The applicant agreed and requested a 3-week window to return for second reading (08/27/2026).