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County approves zoning change for giant subdivision
Waterset's developer plans as many as 4,500 homes on 1,600 acres east of U.S. 41.
By ANDREW MEACHAM
Published December 22, 2006
The County Commission has given a developer the zoning it needs to build one of the county's largest communities in Apollo Beach. Under the current design, Waterset will be larger than FishHawk Ranch or the recently approved Lake Hutto, both in Lithia. Newland Communities plans as many as 4,500 homes, including 2,700 houses, between 19th Avenue and Big Bend Road, east of U.S. 41. Waterset will include nearly 1,000 townhouses and 800 condominiums, plus 450,000 square feet for commercial and civic uses. Newland will also set aside 38 acres for an elementary and a middle school. But perhaps the largest selling point for the community is the network of connecting roads that Newland will add - a point of recent contention among neighbors of Lake Hutto and other proposed projects. The developer will extend Leisey Road from U.S. 41 to the northern edge of the 1,600-acre property, widen two sections of U.S. 41 to six lanes and extend Apollo Beach Boulevard in an east-west bridge across Interstate 75. "Instead of dumping traffic into one area, you have more choices," said Ned Baier, the county's transportation manager. Improvements like those, plus more than 20 added turn lanes and traffic signals, make up Newland's estimated $83-million in upgrades to roads and intersections. Those contributions satisfy the developer's obligation to pay for the effects of new development, as required by the Florida Legislature since 2005. Commissioners approved the zoning changes last week. Two "village centers" with shops, restaurants, office space and room for community meetings will anchor Waterset. Hillsborough County will build and maintain an 80-acre athletic facility. Numerous bicycle and pedestrian trails will link all parts of the community, expected to be completed in 2018. Andrew Meacham can be reached at 813 661-2431 or ameacham@sptimes.com. .
[Last modified December 21, 2006, 07:31:30]
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