County denies second entry for subdivision, lake access for all
Officials side with neighbors in approving the rezoning for a 28-home development at the former Salvation Army site on Lake Ellen Lane.
By TIM GRANT
Published June 11, 2004
CARROLLWOOD - Hundreds of neighbors who live in Original Carrollwood and along the banks of Lake Ellen prevailed this week in their fight against a developer.
A new subdivision that will soon rise on the former Salvation Army property on Lake Ellen Lane will not have lake access for all of its 28 homes and will not get a new entrance on Lake Ellen Drive.
"I do believe by allowing access on Lake Ellen Drive, it would put more stress on Lake Ridge and McFarland (roads)," Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan said.
County commissioners voted 5-0 Tuesday to deny a community boat ramp for the new subdivision and also denied the developer's request for a second entrance to the subdivision that would direct traffic through the Original Carrollwood community.
Commissioner Jim Norman, who works as a legislative liaison for the Salvation Army, left the room during discussion of these matters and did not vote because he had a conflict of interest.
The developer was represented by Robert A. Williams of the Fowler White law firm. Williams had no comment on the commissioners' unanimous vote against his client.
A zoning hearing master had recommended that the 12.6-acre tract on the west end of Lake Ellen Lane be rezoned for a planned development of 28 homes. The county has approved that.
But the hearing officer made no recommendations on the developer's request for a community boat-launching ramp. Instead, he asked the county attorney's office to review the ramp issue.
Homeowners along the lake argued that only the seven homes that the developer plans to build on Lake Ellen should have lake access. The neighbors are concerned about shore erosion and water pollution.
"I personally lost 20 feet of my back yard because of wave action," said Noreen Caleier, who spoke before the commission Tuesday on behalf of all the lakeside homeowners. "One family spent $25,000 just to protect their house. We are concerned about 28 more boats on that lake.
"A common boat ramp is a nuisance and a temptation to people who don't live along the lake. Convenience is not a right."
The developer also wants a gated entrance. County commissioners decided that since the subdivision's roads will be private, the developer has a right to a gate.
However, homeowners in Original Carrollwood wrote 200 letters opposing a proposal to build a second entrance for the subdivision. Their major concern was traffic.
"We're pleased with the commissioners' decision," said homeowner Mark Tempest, who spoke at Tuesday's meeting on behalf of Original Carrollwood residents. "We hope the project moves forward."
The only road leading to the Salvation Army property is Lake Ellen Lane. Motorists reach Lake Ellen Lane by traveling from Fletcher Avenue to Paddock Street.
If a new entrance were added to the property on Lake Ellen Drive, that entrance could be reached by taking Orange Grove Drive to McFarland Road and going north on Lake Ridge Road.
The Salvation Army is building a new state headquarters on Van Dyke Road, so it's leaving its current flagship office, which has been located on the cul-de-sac on the banks of Lake Ellen since about 1930.
