Townhouses, a hotel, and a winery could soon occupy an empty lot at 265 Causeway Boulevard. The lot is located just off the Dunedin Causeway and has been vacant for over a decade.

The Local Planning Agency heard from residents and unanimously approved a design review of the proposed 1.5-acre, four-building, mixed use project that will include townhomes, swimming pool, a hotel, surface parking, and a wine shop, and other amenities.

The Dunedin City Commission will have a hearing on the $14 million project on April 4. Setbacks were one of the more prominent concerns, but speakers at the meeting expressed support for the project. The zoning of the property is tourist facility, which allows a maximum building height of five stories.

The project in total is proposed to have:

-Two residential buildings – each with four townhomes. Both buildings are proposed to be 3-stories, with 2 floors of living area and rooftop patios over the ground floor parking.

-  A three-story mixed-use building, which will have four townhomes and a 1,796+ SF winery. The townhomes will have two stories of living area, and the winery will consist of two floors, including ground floor parking and a rooftop patio.

-  A four-story, seven room hotel with three floors of guest rooms over ground-floor parking. According to managing partner for development and construction with Coastal ICF, Doug Anderson says the hotel will be utilized by the Blue Jays organization along with the public when the Blue Jays are not occupying the rooms.

- Surface parking, a swimming pool, and cabana.

“Staff has determined that a three- or four-story mixed-use at the proposed density and intensity on this property, together with what’s going on around it, does comply and is consistent with our compatibility requirements in our comprehensive plan,” said Joseph DiPasqua, assistant director of community development.