Hillsborough County okays sale of public land

The property had been set aside as a buffer against development. The buyer will pay $1.42-million and throw in 22 acres.

By JACKIE RIPLEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 18, 2000

TAMPA -- Hillsborough County commissioners approved a controversial land swap Wednesday that allows a developer to buy a portion of property in northwest Hillsborough previously set aside as a buffer against sprawl in this rapidly growing area.

It was a debate that pitted disabled children against the preservation of public land.

"The county's losing 112 acres of public land that will forever be gone," said Hillsborough County Commissioner Jan Platt, arguing against the deal.

Platt's objections, along with those from Jim Norman and Pat Frank, failed to sway their fellow commissioners. The vote was 4-3 to approve the sale of the property.

The land swap allows developer Bill Bishop to buy 122 acres of surplus water department property for $1.42-million for a subdivision he wants to build east of Race Track Road and south of Mobley Road. Bishop also will throw in 22 acres to the south on which he will build an equestrian center to house the county-run Bakas Center for disabled children.

The center will move from its current location at Lake Park in Lutz.

The land swap component, officials say, allows the county to negotiate directly with Bishop instead of putting out for bids, the normal process for selling public land.

In answer to Commissioner Platt's question about whose idea the equestrian facility was, Bishop said that Parks Director Ed Radice had encouraged him to offer the equestrian facility with an "increasing level of intensity."

Some residents oppose the deal because the property Bishop will buy is part of about 1,500 acres that two years ago commissioners declared would be set aside for public use and as a buffer against development in northwest Hillsborough.

The controversial nature of the deal prompted commissioners last month to direct Assistant County Administrator Pat Bean to meet with residents and Bishop to discuss possible compromises.

The residents asked that Bishop not commercially develop a sliver of land north of S Mobley Road that would result if S Mobley is realigned.

Bishop agreed to limit commercial development there.

Norman failed to persuade commissioners to use money garnered from a recent settlement with Time Warner to help build an equestrian center on county property.

Commissioner Chris Hart failed to delay a vote until Norman's proposal could be studied.

The decision Wednesday brought to a close six years of negotiation between Bishop and county officials.

Bishop declined to comment, as did his attorney, Rhea Law.

-- Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 226-3468 or ripley@sptimes.com.

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