zoning technician in the Pinellas County Department of Planning, and requested confirmation that the property in question was zoned RPD-15. In response, Zimmerman sent them a letter on May 31, 1973, stating in part:
The Bay Harbor Residential Planned District, a 25-acre MOL tract ... has been approved for a total of 506 units.[1] In accordance with the ... zoning regulations ... the Bay Harbor site would allow a five-story building elevation provided they are in compliance with the additional setbacks.
The final construction plan would require submittal to, and approval by, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Also this parcel ... has a minimum elevation requirement for the first floor living area of nine (9) feet above mean sea level.
        shall be furnished for approval with any of the following items it has not yet received:
f. Zoning: Evidence satisfactory to lender that the proposed project complies with the relevant building and zoning code including a copy of the relevant ordinances.
The loan escrow closed in July, 1973, and Financial Corp. completed the purchase of the Phase I plot. At no time, either prior or subsequent to the consummation of the purchase, did Financial Corp. obtain or even apply for any building permits. At that time any developer desiring building permits for a Pinellas County project first had to obtain approval by the Board of Commissioners of a preliminary site plan, then obtain approval of a final site plan, then obtain a land-use permit and then apply for a building