Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Development back on track after mobile home delay

By ANDREW MEACHAM
Published October 20, 2006

RIVERVIEW

After a delay to research laws affecting the relocation of mobile home owners for development, a new development is back on track.

Horace and Reta Duncan have asked to rezone 6 acres southeast of Bloomingdale Avenue and Duncan Road from agricultural to planned development. The property would become the site of a fast-food restaurant, a bank and office space.

The project would also offer 46 multifamily units, some of them located above shops.

The case was delayed so that engineering firm Point Builders could answer a question about state law. A developer cannot rezone a property containing a mobile home park without determining whether the surrounding area contains adequate mobile home parks for relocation.

The developer, however, argued that the law does not apply to the project because it places the requirement on parks in which 10 or more lots are rented by residents who own their mobile homes.

Nine residents rent lots on the Duncan property. The law doesn't apply to residents who rent both their mobile homes and lots, an arrangement that describes another dozen residents.

A zoning hearing master in September accepted that argument in recommending approval for the request, which goes to county commissioners Tuesday.

Rezoning sought for homes, commercial

A combination of townhouses and commercial space could come to Gibsonton Drive soon. Craftsmar Construction and Development wants to rezone 9 acres at the northwest corner of Gibsonton Drive and Old Gibsonton Drive from agricultural and residential to planned development.

The developer would build 39 houses or townhouses and devote 20,000 square feet to commercial uses on one-third of the property. A home and a mobile home park occupy the site now.

Despite favorable reviews by county staff members and the Planning Commission, a zoning hearing master in September recommended denial of the request, citing incomplete paperwork and a lack of compatibility with property to the west of the proposed site.

The request goes to the County Commission on Tuesday. Petition 06-0855

Houses, duplexes, more planned for site

A developer hopes that new home buyers soon will flock to a tomahawk-shaped chunk of land where cattle have grazed. South Bay Corp. wants to rezone 59 acres on the southeast corner of U.S. 41 and Kracker Avenue from agricultural industrial to planned development.

The developer hopes to build 93 houses, 58 duplex units and 164 townhouses plus 5,000 square feet of space for offices and day care.

A zoning hearing master has recommended approval for the request, which goes to the County Commission on Tuesday. (Petition 06-0457)

Compiled by staff writer Andrew Meacham. He can be reached at 661-2431 or ameacham@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 19, 2006, 07:44:59]