Let your voice be heard!
Write or call your city council members.
City Council and their staff are obligated to listen to your concerns regarding ongoing issues in our neighborhood.
While we continue to oppose inconsistent development in Tampa Heights, the best way to prevent inconsistent development is to improve Tampa Heights' building code. Tampa Heights deserves more thoughtful design and developers that respect the history of our neighborhood and existing home owners.
The Tampa Heights Civic Association proposed a Code Amendment that is under review by City Council.
Read the proposed amendment in full below.
You can write directly to individual councilmen or send them a group email.
Please note: city council votes together on issues. It is imperative to email ALL members, not just your district's representative.
District 1 - Joseph Citro
District 2 - Charlie Miranda
District 3 - John Dingfelder
District 4 - Bill Carlson
*Tampa Heights - District 5 - Orlando Gudes
*Tampa Heights - District 6 - Guido Maniscalco
District 7 - Luis Viera
Group Email: tampacitycouncil@tampa.gov
813-274-8131
SUPPORT THE CODE AMENDMENT
Email city council with the sample template to show your support for the updated code amendment.
Dear Councilman (insert last name),
I am a resident living at (insert address). I would like to share my support of the Tampa Heights development code amendment.
As our city continues to grow, we must preserve the history of our residential neighborhoods. Developers have swarmed Tampa Heights looking to make a quick dollar, leaving non - conforming homes in their wake. The lack of care and consideration for Tampa's oldest neighborhood has led to the ruin of the historical fabric of our houses.
Thankfully, with your support and the approval of the code amendment, we can still salvage our neighborhood! The majority of the homes on the west side of Tampa Heights can still be preserved or redeveloped in ways that contribute to the historical nature of our neighborhood.
I thank you in advance for your support of the code amendment and for listening to the residents of Tampa Heights and the Tampa Heights Civic Association which represents our neighorhood.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENT
Topline overview of the Code Amendment
These should be incorporated into the Guidelines:
The new construction or replacement of chain link fencing within any yard which is visible from the fronting street, or both streets if a corner lot, is prohibited.
The building front doors of all new principal structures shall be oriented towards the front yard of the zoning lot or facing the nearest street, if a corner lot.
Minimum roof pitch for new residential structures shall be a minimum for porches of 4:12 or houses 6:12 (Ratio of Rise to Run). Roofs shall be gabled or flat, not mono-pitched. Flat roofs with parapet walls shall be permitted when precedent on the subject and immediately adjacent blocks is set by an historic structure. Roof pitches for additions to principal structures shall match the pitch of the existing roof.
If an existing lot is adjacent to an open and used public alley, vehicular access to the site must be provided from the alley as the primary vehicular access point provided it meets minimum standards referenced in 27-283.12, Off-street parking space standards. Vehicle access and flow shall be designed to have minimal impact on pedestrian circulation.
For single-family detached, semi-attached, or attached dwellings:
The vehicular entrance to an enclosed garage must be setback a minimum eight (8) feet or greater from the front façade of the building, or accessible from the rear alley, or accessible from the side yard. Exceptions shall be permitted for side load garages located at the front of the primary structure.
Garage entrances may not be front facing unless part of a set-back design.
Garages shall not be required to be a part of the primary structure. Garages in accessory structures shall be permitted by right.
Accessory dwelling units shall be permitted by right in all Residential Single Family Districts.
If a front porch is constructed, the porch shall be permitted to encroach into the setback up to ten (10) feet. This shall be permitted for multiple floors so long as the ground floor porch is included.
Porch stairs shall align with primary means of entry into structure. Additional porch stairs are permitted. Ramps are prohibited from all street-facing frontages.
No sidewalk construction waivers shall be permitted.
Full Proposed Code Amendment
ORDINANCE NO. XXXX-XX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA, REGARDING DESIGN STANDARDS ESTABLISHED; AMENDING SECTION 27-272 TAMPA HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES OF THE CITY OF TAMPA CODE OF ORDINANCES; ADOPTING DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE ENTIRE TAMPA HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD AREA; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 166.021, Florida Statutes, authorizes the City Council of the City of Tampa, Florida (the Council), to exercise powers that are not inconsistent with general or special law; and
WHEREAS, the Council found that it was in the best interests of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Tampa (the City) by adopting the Tampa Heights Design Guidelines (the Guidelines), via Ordinance 2000-235, on August 31, 2000; and
WHEREAS, the Guidelines implemented property development maintenance and structural standards directed at preserving the architectural and cultural values of the Tampa Heights neighborhood, recognizing the importance that consistent maintenance standards and guidelines yield economic and cultural benefits that support the maintenance of health, safety and general welfare of the Tampa Heights community; and
WHEREAS, the Tampa Heights area proximate to the Local and National Historical Districts established in September 7, 2000 and August 4, 1995 respectively, is an area with identical and compatible architectural and cultural values as the Local and National Districts; and
WHEREAS, the Guidelines have not been applied to this proximate Tampa Heights neighborhood area, and this is detrimental to the cohesive architectural and cultural values of the entire Tampa Heights neighborhood area; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance amends relevant provisions of Article V, Division 4, section 27-272, City of Tampa Code of Ordinances by providing supplemental guidelines applicable to the Local and National Historical Districts established in September 7, 2000 and August 4, 1995 respectively and the Tampa Heights areas outside of those Districts ; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds that adopting Ordinance XXXX-XX is in the best interests of the City, its citizens, taxpayers and business community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Tampa City Council:
Section 1. Section 27-272 of the City of Tampa Code of Ordinances is hereby amended as follows, where the underlined text constitutes an addition and the stricken text constitutes a deletion:
Sec. 27-272. – Tampa Heights Historic District Design Guidelines.
The 2000 Edition of the Tampa Heights Historic District Design Guidelines (the Guidelines) is hereby adopted by reference, as it may be amended from time to time, and it, therefore, has the force and effect of law.
The Guidelines in Section 2 shall also apply to existing buildings within the Tampa Heights neighborhood area, outside of the Local and National Historical Districts established in September 7, 2000 and August 4, 1995 respectively, which is an area north and west of Interstate 275, east of North Boulevard, and south of State Road 574 (also known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard).
North Border
West Arlington Heights Sub of Block 5 Sub 4/5 BK: 7 PG: 64
Hagle Sub 4/6 BK 12 PG: 95
Deane’s Percy Sub: 4/7 BK: 5 PG: 47
Azaleas Gardens Sub 4/10 BK: 26 PG: 74
Arlington Heights North Sub: 4HY BK: 4 PG: 51
Good’s Addition to Tampa Sub: 4HH BK: 7 PG: 45
Bellmere Corrected Map of The Rev Map Sub: 4HF BK: 25 PG: 43
West Border
West Arlington Heights Sub of Block 5 Sub 4/5 BK: 7 PG: 64
Louisa Rev Map Sub: 413 BK: 23 PG: 10
Western Heights Sub: 4QU BK: 3 PG: 29
Excelcior Sub: 4QV BK: 4 PG: 1
Black’s W C Second Addition Corrected Map Sub: 4QY BK: 8 PG: 11
MacFarlane Hugh C Sub: Rev Map Sub: 4R1 BK: 7 PG: 37
West Highlands Sub: 4Y3 BK: 2 PG: 37
Richards WJ Sub: 4Y4 BK: 12 PG: 10
Dill’s Sub 4YB BK: 1 PG: 17
Cartagena Sub: 4YH BK: 4 PG: 28
Riverview Park Sub: 4YI BK: 5 PG: 41
South Border
Riverview Park Sub: 4YI BK: 5 PG: 41
Kammerer’s Sub: 4YL BK: 1 PG: 26
Mobley’s Sub Sub: 4YY BK: Q000 PG: 539
Henderson’s Tampa Heights Sub: 4XV BK: 1 PG: 39
East Border
Oakridge Sub: 4XX BK: 1 PG: 76
Sparkman’s Sub: 4Y0 BK: 1 PG: 51
Campbell’s Sub: 4XD BK: 1 PG: 51
Roble’s Sub: Sub of Lot D Sub: 4RE BK: 1 PG: 79
Roble’s Sub of S160FT of W 146 YDS of Lot 1 Sub: 4RD BK: 2 PG: 2
Park View Sub Sub: 4RX BK: 24 PG: 70
Villa Bonnieventure Rev Map Sub: 4IC BK: 25 PG: 53
Ben Wiggin’s Sub Sub: 4HX BK: 2 PG: 57
Bellmere Corrected Map of The Rev Map Sub: 4HF BK: 25 PG: 43
Section 2. The 2000 Edition of the Tampa Heights Historic District Design Guidelines is hereby adopted as amended in Exhibit A:
[These should be incorporated into the Guidelines]:
The new construction or replacement of chain link fencing within any yard which is visible from the fronting street, or both streets if a corner lot, is prohibited.
The building front doors of all new principal structures shall be oriented towards the front yard of the zoning lot or facing the nearest street, if a corner lot.
Minimum roof pitch for new residential structures shall be a minimum for porches of 4:12 or houses 6:12 (Ratio of Rise to Run). Roofs shall be gabled or flat, not mono-pitched. Flat roofs with parapet walls shall be permitted when precedent on the subject and immediately adjacent blocks is set by an historic structure. Roof pitches for additions to principal structures shall match the pitch of the existing roof.
If an existing lot is adjacent to an open and used public alley, vehicular access to the site must be provided from the alley as the primary vehicular access point provided it meets minimum standards referenced in 27-283.12, Off-street parking space standards. Vehicle access and flow shall be designed to have minimal impact on pedestrian circulation.
For single-family detached, semi-attached, or attached dwellings:
The vehicular entrance to an enclosed garage must be setback a minimum eight (8) feet or greater from the front façade of the building, or accessible from the rear alley, or accessible from the side yard. Exceptions shall be permitted for side load garages located at the front of the primary structure.
Garage entrances may not be front facing unless part of a set-back design.
Garages shall not be required to be a part of the primary structure. Garages in accessory structures shall be permitted by right.
Accessory dwelling units shall be permitted by right in all Residential Single Family Districts.
If a front porch is constructed, the porch shall be permitted to encroach into the setback up to ten (10) feet. This shall be permitted for multiple floors so long as the ground floor porch is included.
Porch stairs shall align with primary means of entry into structure. Additional porch
stairs are permitted. Ramps are prohibited from all street-facing frontages.
No sidewalk construction waivers shall be permitted.
Section 3. Pursuant to Section 166.041, F.S., the codifier of the City of Tampa Code of Ordinances, Municipal Code Corporation, shall codify the substantive amendments to the Code of Ordinances contained in Section 1 of this Ordinance as provided therein, and shall not codify any other sections not designated for codification.
Section 4. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, provision or word of this Ordinance is held invalid, same shall be severable and the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected by such invalidity, such that any remainder of the Ordinance shall withstand any severed provision, as the Council would have adopted the Ordinance and its regulatory scheme even absent the invalid part.
Section 5. This Ordinance and Exhibit A, as amended, shall take effect immediately upon filing.
DULY ADOPTED with a quorum present and voting this ____ day of ________________, 2021.
CITY COUNCIL, TAMPA, FLORIDA
By:________________________________
Chairperson
ATTEST:
By:_____________________________