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Neighborhood report

Too crowded in West Meadows?

Hawthorne Estates residents organize to change a development that they say would tightly pack homes.

By EMILY NIPPS
Published January 13, 2006

WEST MEADOWS - Don Beck always figured the view behind his Hawthorne Estates home would eventually change. The trees, the grassy fields and the occasional roving cow would likely make way for suburban homes, just like the rest of New Tampa.

But when he recently received a notice that a developer is hoping to rezone 214 acres of this scenic property into relatively small lots with closely packed two-story homes, he wasn't willing to accept that.

Neither are other homeowners in Hawthorne Estates, who are afraid this kind of development bordering their yards could harm the value of their $500,000 to $700,000 homes.

"We're just concerned these new homes will not be up to the standards of the Estates and could drag our values down," said Beck, who retired and moved into his home three years ago.

"Even if the costs of the homes are close to what ours are, we're concerned about that tightly packed appearance and how it reflects on our neighborhood."

The plans call for the acreage between West Meadows and Grand Hampton to be rezoned from agricultural to residential, with lots between 5,000 to 7,000 square feet.

Beck and others living near the future development are organizing a petition asking for the lots to be at least 8,600 feet - the average in Hawthorne Estates - and set back 75 feet from their neighborhood border instead of 20 feet, which the plan currently calls for.

They're also requesting a 10-foot "decorative barrier" separating the new development from West Meadows.

"We'll probably end up with about 75 to 100 signatures," Beck said.

"We're not trying to dictate what (the developer) does on every lot. But, at least on our boundary, we're just asking for them to consider our specifications. Hopefully, they'll see our concerns."

Ty Maxey, a planner for Englehardt, Hammer and Associates who represents the property's developer, John Greco of Busch Junction Enterprises, did not return calls by the Times.

But he has spoken with people who live in Hawthorne Estates, Beck said, and has indicated he wants to hold a town hall meeting to bring Greco and the concerned neighbors together to discuss the plans for the development.

Steve Falabella, who also lives along the northern border of Hawthorne Estates, was concerned enough about the neighboring property to create a blog (http://hawthornehomevalues.blogspot.com) to help keep other homeowners informed of the situation.

Like Beck, he received a notice letter from the developer and objects to the size and the proximity of the lots.

"The plans also didn't mention deed restrictions, which is scaring some people," he said.

The rezoning hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14 at the County Center on 601 E Kennedy Blvd.

- Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this report. Emily Nipps can be reached at 813 269-5313 or nipps@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 12, 2006, 08:39:04]