BELLEAIR – He is a developer who builds condominiums, he lives in Belleair and he’s determined to resolve issues that potentially threaten progress on the Belleview Biltmore restoration.
Town officials aren’t saying much other than they were asked not to reveal the identity of the man who is trying to bring a negotiated end to the legal dispute that erupted when the town granted code variances to Legg Mason Real Estate Investors for the Biltmore project.
Town Manager Micah Maxwell confirmed that the town had been approached by someone seeking to resolve the dispute but said, “He only wanted to ask some questions. He’s not working for the town in any way.”
During a protracted series of hearings brought before the Town Commission, some residents objected to several of the variance requests: reductions to parking, increased building heights and the construction of a new spa outside the main structure. It is the spa which lawyers for the complainants say will have the greatest negative impact on the community and it is the spa that developers insist is a must have for the success of the project.
A suit has been accepted by the court charging that unfair consideration was given to the developer during the quasi judicial hearing, namely that town officials were predisposed to favor the request and did not allow the complainants equal time to present their objections.
Recalling those hearings at Tuesday evening’s commission meeting, Mayor Gary Katica said, “There was nothing about the spa.”
Directing his comments to town attorney Davis Ottinger, Katica said for the record, “I know the issue was about the parking spaces and when their (referring to the complainants) expert witness was asked if he had ever done a parking study, his answer was no.”
Deputy Mayor Stephen R. Fowler interjected, “The only complaint was with the location of the spa.”
Katica continued, “Zimmitt, (referring to Attorney Alan Zimmitt who represents the complainant) was fumbling through his papers then, his so-called expert witness, dead in the water.”
The developer could hold the key to the legal imbroglio. Those suing the town say they could live with the spa were it to be relocated elsewhere on the property, away from residences west of the main hotel.
It could be presumed that is the issue now being quietly and anonymously negotiated between the residents and LMREI.
“The town can only await the outcome,” Katica said.
Also at the meeting, Belleair resident Tina Crevello, spokesperson for Vincent House, a charitable organization which promotes social recovery through vocational training, announced the group will host a fundraiser called Breakfast of Hope. The event will be Tuesday Oct. 28, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd. in St. Petersburg.
