Retirees welcome the idea of medical offices close by and possibly a new restaurant, but traffic is still a concern.
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Published June 13, 2003
Developer Stanley Whitcomb's track record in Sun City Center spans more than 25 years, and includes community mainstays like the Winn-Dixie shopping center and the Center Plaza Building off State Road 674.
Last week, Whitcomb met with a room full of anxious residents to assure them his latest project will be just as desirable: a professional and medical office complex, with room for a restaurant, on 11 acres between Del Webb East Boulevard and U.S. 301.
The complex will be divided into three sections totaling nearly 110,000 square feet. One section, facing U.S. 301, could house a 5,000-square-foot restaurant, according to the proposal. The buildings closest to U.S. 301 would only be accessible to traffic from U.S. 301. The offices closest to Del Webb East, which account for less than 40 percent of the office space, would be accessible only from Del Webb East.
A zoning officer will consider Whitcomb's plans Monday during a 6 p.m. hearing at the county building, 601 E Kennedy. Most residents and community leaders agree with Whitcomb that the aging residents of Sun City Center need more medical and professional offices convenient to their homes. And though restaurants have traditionally stayed away from this frugal, early-to-bed retiree community, many residents are eager for a new place to eat out.
But they're concerned about the complex's entrance off Del Webb East and whether the parking lot could be used as a shortcut to U.S. 301.
"I just want to make sure people in a hurry can't drive through the parking lot to get to 301," said Lore Bokma, 60. In the banquet room that hosted his eldest son's wedding reception, Whitcomb promised residents he is looking out for their best interests. Even though county planning staff at one point asked him to connect Del Webb East to U.S. 301, he has no plans to do so.
Whitcomb wants to set up barriers to limit traffic to pedestrians and golf carts.
The county has suggested a "removable barrier" but Whitcomb said it's "not practical" and encouraged residents to send the county a petition expressing their opposition.
As for the entrance from Del Webb East, he originally proposed putting it south of Meadowvista Lane, just north of U.S. 674. Meadowvista Lane is the main entrance to a section of homes at Sun City Center's easternmost border, west of Whitcomb's project.
A few residents from those homes have expressed fears about the traffic from such a setup. But most agree it's better than putting the entrance where Whitcomb originally proposed, south of Meadowvista Lane. That spot is at the nook of a sharp curve with poor visibility.
The land is now zoned for high-density housing, but Whitcomb is seeking a zoning change to allow the professional and medical offices.
Restaurant space was not in Whitcomb's original proposal.
"I only put this in as a possible restaurant because I know you want one," Whitcomb told residents. "But in more than 20 years here, I have never been able to get a restaurant to come here. They say you don't spend big bucks on meals, and you drink at home, so there's no profit. If we can't get a restaurant, it's office space."
"It's good for us, because we need these services," said community association president Walt Cawein. "And Stanley knows Sun City Center, he's been with us since the '70s. We trust him."
