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SANGRIA'S ASKING FOR SUPPORT

IF YOU WANT A NEW RESTAURANT IN THE HOOD......THIS ONE WILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT. 

READ STORY, AND CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR FOR DEC 20!

Eatery Nibbles At Heights Plan
By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 10, 2007

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - The owners of Sangria's Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant are exploring a new restaurant in the neighborhood.

The restaurant could replace LeRoy's 4X4 Automotive Service Center, 512 E. Hillsborough Ave., if the city council approves a license for beer, wine and liquor sales. The property is next to Starbucks at Hillsborough and Central Avenue.

The council will vote on the license Dec. 20, records show.

Approval will require waivers because the property is within 1,000 feet of four residences and a gas station that sells beer and wine. City records also show Seminole Heights Baptist Church, on the east side of Interstate 275, is about 920 feet from the site, which is on the west side of I-275. That also would require a waiver.

"By and large, people are very excited," said Susan Long, president of the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association. She and the group's past president, Randy Baron, recently met with the owners of Sangria's, 315 S. Howard Ave.

"It's in the very early stages," Long said. "They don't have plans drawn up."

Initial discussions included a Sangria's on half of the property and leased space on the other half, she said.

The association's executive board is expected to discuss the project Nov. 19.

Sangria's co-owner John Obediente declined to discuss the project, but the alcohol license application states the property would be used for a restaurant, with 100 seats indoors and 20 outdoors, and multipurpose retail offices.

A PLEA FOR CAPPY'S

The following email is from Susan Long who is working hard to fill city council chambers with supporters of Cappy's.  While you might have feelings against the "do it now and pay the piper later," try to remember two things. 

One, that the regulations for our inner city were changed and reflect what is being asked of urban areas where land is plentiful and planning is being done for today's life style.  We live in an area which was made for a different time, and much like our closets and kitchens, things were smaller then!

Second, Cappy's has been open for several months, and the parking has worked just fine! 

So please consider taking an hour or two from your busy schedule to support this effort!!

Thanks!

--------------------

The email from Susan............

Cappy's rezoning is being heard Thursday, March 22nd at the 6 PM City Council Meeting.  They are requesting a change to a PD (Planned Development).  They do not meet Tampa's current parking requirements. They have a 2 year lease on the vacant lot N of them for parking - -the city requires a 50 year lease.  They have an agreement with the business across the street to use their curbside parking but FDOT will not okay that parking as it is on the opposite side of an FDOT road (Florida Ave). 

If Cappy's gets its PD, then city council has the authority to waive the parking regulations.  If they do not get their PD they must meet the city's current parking requirements.  These requirements cannot be met as the building fills the whole lot.

City council's inclination to waive the city's parking requirements will be dependent upon the support Cappy's gets from the neighborhood.  Thus, we are encouraging everyone to go to the City Council meeting to show support.  (You do not need to speak if you don't want to). 

Cappy's is 4th on the agenda so the case may be heard at 6:30 or it may be much later. 

City Council meetings are held on the 3rd floor 315 E. Kennedy which is on the corner of Kennedy & Florida.  The building with the clock tower. 

If you have any questions, please contact me.  Thanks,

Susan Long

swlong@myrapidsys.com

936-0229