TAMPA — Last year, two doctors pitched an unusual project to Hillsborough County officials.
Drs. Gogi and Renuka Ramappa, husband and wife, wanted to build 20 apartments next to single-family homes and trailers on a quiet street in Carrollwood.
It looked dead on arrival.
A team of planners said the project didn’t meet guidelines. Neighbors complained about traffic and flooding. An appointed board that says yes to nine of every 10 projects said no to this one.
But the Hillsborough County Commission has the final call. And behind the scenes, money changed hands.