Townhome plan riles neighbors
A developer wants 20 townhomes, but those nearby fear traffic and other things.
By STEPHANIE HAYES
Published July 21, 2006
WESTCHASE - Talk of townhomes has left some Westchase residents reeling with a host of worries.
Developer John Bailey wants a zoning change so he can build 20 upscale townhomes on more than 5 acres behind Westchase's gated Stonebridge neighborhood.
A handful of homeowners turned up to speak their minds at a zoning hearing in downtown Tampa on Monday night.
The concerns ranged from traffic to school overcrowding to the environment to distrust of the developer.
"I feel these 20 townhomes will have a negative impact on my quality of life," said Pamela Senk, who lives in Westchase's nearby Vineyards village. Senk said the development would disrupt her view of "beautiful sunsets" and a nearby "beautiful retention pond."
That pond was also a concern for some homeowners who feared an outbreak of boats and personal watercraft there.
Attorney Mark Bentley, who is representing Bailey's rezoning, said the waters would stay calm.
"We would stipulate that there would be no lake use associated with the project," he told zoning hearing master James Scarola.
Bailey has a contentious history with Westchase.
Bridgeton Drive, Stonebridge's main road, is the only way to his property. Bailey asked for a code to get through the village gate. The Westchase East Community Development District, which owns the road and the gate, said no.
Last year, Bailey's company, John Bailey Inc., sued the CDD to tear down the gate, unleashing months and months of legal mediation. In April, Bailey signed an agreement with the CDD capping development at 20 homes. Under the agreement, townhome owners would pay to maintain Stonebridge's gate and road, Bailey would pay for road damage and construction times would be limited.
Monday night, Bentley encouraged Scarola to read the agreement before making a recommendation to Hillsborough County commissioners.
"This provides an abundance of protection for Stonebridge," he said of the agreement. "This is the linchpin of the whole analysis."
Scarola will submit a recommendation for the project in about two weeks. Commissioners are scheduled to cast the final vote on Sept. 12.
Stephanie Hayes can be reached at (813) 269-5303 or shayes@sptimes.com.