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Residents, developer agree on mall's appearance
By JOSH ZIMMER, Times Staff Writer
KEYSTONE -- Community activists in Keystone said they wanted to avoid a protracted legal fight over the design of Keystone Crossings, the highly visible strip mall at Gunn Highway and Van Dyke Road. After months of often tense negotiations, residents and the Sembler Co. have hammered out an agreement that will modify the mall's appearance to conform more closely with the rural self-image of Keystone. Under a deal announced Tuesday, Sembler will change lighting, landscaping and color schemes, as well as interior and street-side signage. Sembler, which developed BayWalk in St. Petersburg and Centro Ybor in Tampa, also has agreed to install new facades and a metal canopy and alter development conditions for the free-standing stores just outside the center. "I'm just so happy it's done and how it came out," said Jim Swain, president of the Lake Keystone Property Owners Association. Swain is one of the plaintiffs in a suit alleging breach of contract. "They turned out to be very good people to work with ... once they recognized how important this center was to everyone." The other plaintiffs in the suit, filed in March, are Swain's wife, Laura Swain, and the Keystone Civic Association. The project started with promise but became a lightning rod for residents who began to feel Sembler was snubbing the community's sensibilities. In their view, Sembler backed down on promises to incorporate rustic features at the 50,000-square-foot complex anchored by Kash n' Karry. Complaints spurred the county's Department of Planning and Growth Management to change the way it processes site plans. Residents initially lobbied against any development. However, the Keystone Civic Association later gave its support to Sembler after feeling they had won concessions to include such touches as a canopied walkway, textured masonry, low lighting and some cobblestone streeting. At a public hearing before the Hillsborough County Commission, Sembler representatives presented brightly colored renditions with a rustic flair. After seeing the pictures, commissioners approved the plan. But the design was watered down during the site review phase. Residents were furious when they saw a different project going up than the one they supported. When Sembler refused to make any significant changes, the Swains and the association sued. Negotiations progressed slowly but the mood gradually improved in recent months. Lisa Brock, spokeswoman for Sembler and its president and CEO Craig Sher, acknowledged both sides overcame a lot of mistrust. "It's back on course," she said. "That was always Craig's objective. It (the association) is a tough group." According to the agreement, work must begin within the next 120 days. It is scheduled to be finished by May. Both sides are still finalizing the design changes, Brock said. Several commissioners were furious with county planners after learning about the controversy. The commission eventually ordered that on all future projects staffers must stick to the plans presented to board members for final approvals. -- Josh Zimmer covers Keystone, Citrus Park and the environment. He can be reached at 269-5314 and zimmer@sptimes.com .
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