Banks, small restaurants, florists, doctors offices and others could fill the 18 office buildings near Oakstead.
By JAMES THORNER, Times Staff Writer
Published November 17, 2005
LAND O'LAKES - For 5 miles from U.S. 41 to the Suncoast Parkway, the land is fertile with houses but barren of businesses.
Oakstead, Suncoast Meadows and Ballantrae are three neighborhoods teeming with slab and stucco but lacking stores and businesses to serve the thousands of residents.
That should change soon.
West of Oakstead's entrance is an 8-acre strip zoned for "neighborhood commercial." Think doctors offices, day care centers, banks, beauty parlors, florists and small restaurants.
Though no tenants have been announced, a developer has drawn plans to pack in 18 buildings, ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet each, on the north side of SR 54.
The developer is listed as Kevin Howell Jr., a veteran of office developments in the Carrollwood area. He couldn't be reached for comment.
The property is narrow, hemmed on the north by wetlands. Two entrances would serve the businesses: one on SR 54, the other on Oakstead Boulevard. Planning maps show 256 parking spaces, most lining SR 54.
Such a parking arrangement contradicts Pasco County highway beautification guidelines for SR 54 that suggest lots be tucked behind businesses. Other retail centers that tried to stack parking on the highway, including Collier Commons farther east in Land O'Lakes, faced contentious negotiations with the county over the issue.
Oakstead would probably supply most of the customers until a neighboring housing development called Concord Station gathers steam.
Two builders, Lennar and US Home, have built the first of more than 1,000 homes in Concord, which adjoins Oakstead to the west.
