It took nearly 13 hours over three weeks, but developer Blake Casper won City Council approval to convert the historic Stovall House on Bayshore Boulevard to a private club.

On Thursday, council members listened to nearly six hours of testimony on the proposal, which has bitterly divided the Bayshore Beautiful neighborhood.

Casper and his supporters remained muted, perhaps hoping that their initial victory on Aug. 30 would be sustained.

It was.

Opponents said the project would endanger their neighborhood, bringing noise, trucks and drunk driving to their residential enclave.

This time, their appeals were less emotional and mainly focused on zoning and legal issues.

Council members weren't persuaded. They voted 5-2 on the site's rezoning and alcohol permit, paving the way for the private club, which also has five rooms for overnight guests.

Council members Charlie Miranda and Mike Suarez voted no as they had last month.

Check back for more on this developing story at tampabay.com