Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

County buys land for New Tampa ballfields

By BILL COATS
Published November 9, 2005

TAMPA - County commissioners approved $3.1-million in land purchases Wednesday, completing a future recreation package for New Tampa and setting aside 70 acres as a nature preserve.

"We have thousands of children living in the area with very limited access to recreation facilities," Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean told the commission.

She expressed regret that land hadn't been reserved for recreation years ago as New Tampa's largest developments sprang up.

The decision broke a 3-3 tie vote last month that blocked the purchases off Morris Bridge Road, when several commissioners balked at paying $231,100 an acre for 13.4 acres. But on Wednesday, staffers brandished fresh appraisals suggesting that property values in the area have doubled to $198,500 an acre since May as New Tampa expands onto Morris Bridge.

So Commissioner Tom Scott, an opponent in October, became a supporter Wednesday, leading to a 4-2 vote. But Commissioner Ronda Storms wasn't swayed. "I think it was too expensive for the taxpayer," she said.

The other opponent, Kathy Castor, didn't comment. But she said in October she was uncomfortable with the role of Ken Hagan Sr., the real estate broker for the property sellers. Hagan's son, Ken Hagan Jr., represents the area on the County Commission. Hagan didn't vote on the purchase, but has pushed the county to buy recreation land.

The 13.4 acres are adjacent to a 20-acre park in the Branchton community. In September, commissioners paid $2.3-million for another tract in the new Live Oak development, providing 43 acres for ballfields.

That and Wednesday's Branchton purchase allowed the county to comply with a campaign by environmentalists to preserve another 70 acres off Morris Bridge. The county bought the land last year for $3.5-million, with active recreation in mind. Now it's destined for nature trails instead of soccer fields.

The night before, about 75 people attended a public meeting on the proposals.

Some Branchton homeowners wanted to keep the park out of their neighborhood, fearing a multiuse athletic facility would only add to their traffic woes on Morris Bridge Road.

Some New Tampa residents thought the 79 acres in Live Oak (43 which are developable) and the 33 acres in Branchton would not provide enough recreation space for rapid New Tampa growth. They favored development on the 70 acres on Morris Bridge, which the county would otherwise preserve.

Staff writer Emily Nipps contributed to this article. Bill Coats can be reached at 813 269-5309 or coats@sptimes.com

[Last modified November 9, 2005, 00:38:07]