Tampa City Council Blocks Elevation of Historic Davis Islands Apartments to Mitigate Flood Risk

The Tampa City Council has overturned a decision that would have permitted the owner of a historic Davis Islands apartment building to raise it by more than 7 feet.

The West Palm Beach-based developer, who owns the property at 16 Davis Blvd., sought approval from the city's variance review board to elevate the building in an effort to mitigate flood risk and create covered parking for 22 vehicles. However, neighbors opposed the project and appealed the board's decision, leading to Thursday’s city council hearing.

Dennis Fernandez, who heads the city’s Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Division, stated that the plans complied with historic preservation guidelines. Nonetheless, neighbors voiced concerns about setting a precedent and the potential structural impact on nearby properties.

In a unanimous vote led by Councilmember Lynn Hurtak, the council decided to overturn the variance review board’s approval. Councilmember Alan Clendenin was absent from the vote.

Hurtak justified her motion by stating that the owner “failed to provide competent and substantial evidence of a hardship” as required by city code. Property records from Hillsborough County show that the developer purchased the 22-unit complex for $5.05 million.

“The owner purchased this property in 2021 without a parking garage,” Hurtak noted during her motion. “They knew it before they bought it. They knew it was in a FEMA flood zone when they bought it. Preserving history doesn’t require them to raise it.”

Ben Dachepalli, a partner at Bradley representing the developer, expressed disappointment with the outcome and indicated that they are currently evaluating potential next steps and options.