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Proposal for development at rock mine withdrawn

No reason is given, but Zephyrhills leaders already stated reservations about using the land for a subdivision.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published August 9, 2006

ZEPHYRHILLS - The owners of a rock mine on Chancey Road who hoped to turn the property into a sprawling subdivision abruptly withdrew their proposal Tuesday, hours before the city's planning commission was to consider it.

Yonkers Contracting Co. owns the mine, called Plaza Materials, covering nearly 800 acres at Chancey Road and Yonkers Boulevard. For nearly a year, Yonkers officials have been making a pitch to annex into the city and cease mining to make way for a complex of houses, townhomes, lakes, parks, restaurants and shopping dubbed Zephyrmere.

From the beginning, city officials have expressed reservations. The mine sits close to the city-owned airport, where runway expansions are planned. It's also located in a designated industrial zone on a route intended for heavy trucks. Officials expected noise complaints and traffic problems.

As recently as last week, Yonkers officials were still pleading their case to the city. Yonkers executive vice president John Kolaya told staff, planning commission and City Council members the company was making $4-million in concessions on things such as buffers, traffic improvements and schools. They even offered to donate $25,000 to the school district toward a new school site.

"(Zephyrmere) has the potential to establish the standard for smart growth," Kolaya told officials.

Council member Celia Graham had tough words for the developers.

"It's going to become more dangerous because it's going to be big trucks and little cars (on Chancey Road)," she said. "They're going to be coming out of their driveways every morning onto the truck route."

Reached Tuesday, Kolaya declined to say why the application was withdrawn or reveal what the next move may be.

"All I can really tell you is that we've withdrawn this particular application," he said.

[Last modified August 8, 2006, 23:11:24]