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Business Owner Glad To Move On

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Despite the myriad hours and hefty costs associated with bringing his business into compliance with the city's land development code, James "Jimmy" Ciaccio holds no hostility toward Temple Terrace officials.

"I'm just happy to be moving on," said the owner of Gaspar's Patio Bar & Grille at 8448 N. 56th St., who recently received approval from the Temple Terrace City Council on his site plan to conform to the municipality's on-site parking, ingress and egress access, buffering and landscaping requirements.
Ciaccio obtained permits in early 2005 to do some basic improvements to what was the establishment's courtyard, according to code compliance officer Joe Gross. What resulted, however, was a 2,000-square-foot patio that opened in July 2005 with seating for up to 85 people, a dance floor and a band shell for live performances.

The effect was, according to code, an inadequate number of parking spaces to accommodate the additional customers. Also, the facility lacked buffering to curb the view and noise level for homeowners in the residential lots just west of the site between Beverly Drive and Ridgeway Road.

In addition, there were multiple entrances and exits to the site and no specified on-site loading area. All the issues were in violation of Temple Terrace regulations.

"He kind of got ahead of himself without developing a site plan and getting city council's approval," Gross said.

The matter first came before the compliance board Jan. 11, 2006, when Ciaccio was subjected to a $50-a-day penalty for not obtaining the proper permitting and not submitting a site plan. Initially, he was asked to submit a site plan Feb. 8, 2006. Subsequently, he was granted several extension dates. The penalty increased to $150 a day June 13, 2007. He accrued $53,800 in fines.
Ciaccio said he plans to use the parking spaces at Automotive Engineering, a property he owns just north of his business. He will take advantage of the two residential lots he also owns to the west of Gaspar's - one vacant and the other with a house that will be demolished - to accommodate additional vehicles.

He said he will comply with the requirement that patrons enter and exit the parking lots from a small opening on 56th Street or those at Beverly Drive and Ridgeway Road. Customers currently have access to and from 56th Street by way of an opening that stretches from Beverly Drive to Ridgeway Road.

He has agreed to plant 4-foot-tall oaks along the parking areas to buffer the sights and sounds coming from the patio and the parking lots. He will install curbed, landscaped islands within the parking areas.

Ralph Bosek, the city's community services director, was pleased with the council's decision.

"We've worked feverishly with the applicant to come up with this site plan," he said.

In turn, Ciaccio commended Bosek and his staff for their guidance.

"It's going to be something nice for the CRA Community Redevelopment Area District," Ciaccio said.

According to Gross, Ciaccio must wait 35 days after his business comes into compliance with the city's codes before he can submit a request for a reduction in fines. The city council will then vote on the issue.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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