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Condo plan causes alarm
A proposal to build 1,500 condos would overwhelm Bruce B. Downs and schools, residents of Tampa Palms say.
By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN
Published April 16, 2006
TAMPA PALMS - They're talking about renting charter buses and distributing fliers, forming ad-hoc committees and painting signs. Residents here are in an uproar over a condominium development proposed near their neighborhood, saying its construction would bring a slew of problems. The owners of 644 acres on Bruce B. Downs, just south of Amberly Drive, want to rezone the wetlands for commercial use. The Giunta Group, well-known developers, filed a rezoning request with Hillsborough County last month in hopes of building almost 1,500 condos on 60 acres. Although planners for the developer hope to meet with the community, several homeowners groups oppose the idea. They predict the condos would bring 3,000 more vehicles to an already clogged Bruce B. Downs and as many as 700 new students to local schools. "This is an absolutely appalling plan,'' said Bill Edwards, president of the Tampa Palms Owners Association. "They can't be serious.'' Edwards appeared before the Tampa Palms Community Development District meeting Wednesday, which drew leaders from other neighborhood groups as well. Opponents say New Tampa already lacks adequate park spaces and ball fields for children. And the buildings, which may reach seven stories because the units would sit atop a parking garage, would be an eyesore, they say. The rezoning request says the condo buildings would have three to five stories above parking. Tom Macri, association vice president for the nearby North Oaks condominiums, said the new condos would be among the highest structures in northern Tampa. "We don't think the quality of life is going to be the same,'' he said. Whether the developer can win these communities over remains to be seen. Ty Maxey of Englehardt, Hammer & Associates, the project planners, said his office is planning a meeting with neighboring residents to discuss the project. "We haven't set a meeting time yet,'' he said.
[Last modified April 16, 2006, 08:12:02]
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