Tampa City Council continued a contentious special-use permit for alcohol sales in the Davis Islands village after a daylong public hearing in which residents urged denial and applicants offered stricter site-plan conditions.

Neighbors cited the small size of the commercial district, limited existing parking and the Davis Islands community plan, arguing the permit would change the character of the village and set a precedent for dense outdoor alcohol use next to residences. Debbie Zomerman, a Davis Islands resident, told the council that changes between first and second reading materially increased outdoor occupancy and parking waivers and called the increased totals "very, very dangerous for our community."

Applicant representatives said they had reduced operating hours, committed to no outdoor amplified sound, and added site-plan notes prohibiting outdoor tables and chairs without council approval. Alex Shaler, representing the applicant, said the block remains commercial zoning and argued the applicant had made commitments "above and beyond" to limit impacts.

Council reopened the hearing to clarify factual issues raised in public comment, then directed the applicant to return with a revised plan that limits outdoor occupancy (council suggested a working figure equal to about 25% of interior building occupancy for outdoor waiting space), preserves the strip parking improvements and retains the site-plan conditions (no outdoor tables and chairs, early closing hours). Council continued the principal special-use for 340 East Davis to Jan. 29, 2026 and required the item to be re-noticed so neighbors can review revisions. A companion alcohol application for 218–220 East Davis proceeded under its own timeline.

The continuance leaves unresolved whether the council will approve outdoor alcohol service near residences; opponents said the record of an after-hours permit event at the site increased concerns and counsel noted that any substantial changes will require fresh review.