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BRANDON - The domino theory convinced Hillsborough County commissioners to deny a request to build a medical office complex at the southwest corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Holland Drive.
During the rezoning process, residents living nearby repeatedly expressed concern that the rezoning would open a door to further commercial development in their neighborhood.
"We do not want, in any fashion, a commercial zoning in our back yard," said Richard Russello, speaking at the land use hearing on Tuesday. "We do not want commercial zoning intruding in our neighborhood and setting a future precedent."
A drive-in bank now stands on the 3.5-acre parcel. Developers wanted to add 4,600 square feet of office space. Currently, the property is zoned for agricultural and residential use and planned development. Developers wanted the property rezoned for planned development.
Applicant Michael Horner noted that the project had been scaled back significantly in response to residents' concerns about commercial traffic.
"When these people are home, this is all closed, landscaped, and attractive under property management control," Horner said. "When these people are at work, then we'll have cars in the parking lot."
But commissioners shared residents' worries.
"This is the first domino, and I see more and more intrusion of an established neighborhood," said Commissioner Jim Norman. "I can't support this development."
Commissioners denied the application in a 7-0 vote. (Petition 04-0706)
RUSKIN: For the second time, Beazer Homes is making its pitch to rezone 932 acres west of U.S. 301 from agricultural use to planned development.
Developers want to build 2,260 homes and townhomes. They were stymied by concerns from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that the proposed development came too close to an adjacent preserve off Interstate 75, where controlled burns occasionally are staged.
County commissioners originally denied the request, but sent the matter back to the hearing master after developers agreed to a 500-foot buffer sought by the environmental agency. Developers claimed that commissioners misunderstood a concession to go along with the expanded buffer during an August land use hearing.
"We believe that we've addressed the concerns that were relayed to us," said David Smith, a representative for the developer, at the zoning hearing on Monday.
No residents voiced opposition. South Shore Roundtable Chair Michael Peterson praised developers for moving a proposed road out of the buffer zone, so it still may be built.
"If this compromise makes everyone a little happier and this road still may be a reality, then we are pleased as it sits," Peterson said.
The zoning hearing master will make a recommendation on Oct. 20. Commissioners will vote on the proposal Nov. 9. (Petition 04-0558)
APOLLO BEACH: More townhomes are coming to Apollo Beach.
Commissioners on Tuesday approved a request to build 44 townhomes on 5.28 acres off Surfside Boulevard, between the north and south lanes of Apollo Beach Boulevard.
The currently vacant property was rezoned from commercial to planned development to allow an increase in density from the six residences per acre designated in the county's Future of Hillsborough Land Use Plan.
The request was approved without discussion. (Petition 04-0814)
RIVERVIEW: There will be more lawns to water.
Commissioners on Tuesday approved a rezoning request to swap 92 single-family attached homes for the equivalent number of stand-alone single family homes on a 168-acre project near Balm Riverview Road and McMullen Loop.
Developers requested the change - which had no net impact on density - to meet demand for single-family homes in the area.
"It's an opportunity to sell single-family homes instead of townhomes," said land use attorney Keith Bricklemyer.
"More lawns to mow," added Commissioner Jan Platt.
The rezoning was approved 6-0. (Petition 04-1654)
When and whereHearings of county zoning hearing masters and land use hearing officers, and land use meetings of the County Commission are held on the second floor of the County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd. All hearings before a zoning hearing master begin at 6 p.m. on Mondays or Tuesdays; commission meetings begin at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Both are televised on government access channels. Land use hearing officer hearings, which are not televised, begin at 9 a.m. every third Friday. Basic information about each petition is available online at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/pgm/zoning/hearings.html For information, call 276-2058.