Paintball looks for a zoning fit

By LOGAN D. MABE

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 1, 2000

The county's zoning regulations are nothing if not voluminous. County planners have a designation for everything from hockey rinks to high-rise apartments. But Terry Lee Riney says he's found a small glitch he hopes to correct.

Riney, who is in the medical implant business, wants to one day open a state-of-the-art paintball place. But what kind of zoning would he need to start one?

Hillsborough's other paintball outfits are on land zoned for low-density residential or agricultural purposes. But the county zoning department sees an outdoor paintball field as a "general outdoor commercial recreation service." Emphasis on "commercial," which generally means much pricier land.

Now, Riney is appealing to have paintball fields designated as "outdoor/passive use," much like the golf-driving-range/batting-cage businesses.

"It's really an interpretation of the current zoning use," Riney said. "They're bringing these things into the county that aren't zoned and we're trying to find a fit."

Riney, who lives in the Lake Magdalene area, has been playing paintball for less than a year. He wants to start a competition-caliber field that fits the easier-to-accommodate outdoor/passive use designation.

"We want to bring the new millennium atmosphere to this sport," Riney said. "The county wants to put paintball into commercial zoning because they feel it's a business endeavor. But commercial property is entirely too expensive."

Riney explained that there's not much to a paintball field: A tent for a clubhouse that can be broken down when not in use, woods, trails and natural outcroppings to be used for cover. And limited lighting for night-time use.

Riney says paintball fields are far less obtrusive than driving ranges.

Golf driving ranges, which fall under outdoor/passive use designation, operate seven days a week. They have high intensity lights that burn into the night. They install clubhouses and paved sidewalks. And they generate plenty of traffic from golfers wanting to practice.

Riney said his paintball field would likely only operate on weekends during the day, and maybe one week night each week. He hasn't narrowed down a site yet, but is eager to start shopping for one if he can convince county zoning officials of his argument.

"It is truly exhilarating," Riney said of the sport. "My sons are 15 and 22 and we play with kids who are 10 and 60-year-old men and women of all ages all at the same time. It's such an exciting sport."

A Land Use Hearing Officer heard the following special use and variance requests on Friday:

CARROLLWOOD: Eckerd Corp. asked for a waiver to allow its store at 5357 Ehrlich Road, near Hutchison Road, to sell alcoholic beverages.

According to the county, the drug store's property line lies within 500 feet of the Messiah Lutheran Church's property line. Waivers only will be considered if the structure is at least 500 feet from "certain existing community uses and residentially zoned property," deeming the store ineligible for a waiver. But Eckerd argues that the distance should not be measured by property lines but by the distance between the structures, which totals 875 feet, making the store eligible for consideration of a waiver. (Petition 00-1165)

KEYSTONE: First Baptist Church of Citrus Park sought a special use permit for the church's school, which educates about 600 children from kindergarten through 12th grade.

If the permit is approved for the church's new Gunn Highway property near Van Dyke Road, baseball fields for the school's athletic teams will be built first. Students now are using off-campus facilities at other area schools.

The church plans to move from its home near Sickles High School to the 41.35-acre site at 18105 Gunn Highway, north of Van Dyke Road. The property, purchased by the church in 1996, is now used for church picnics and campouts. (Petition 00-1203)

WESTCHASE: Aston Gardens at Tampa Bay asked for permission to add an angled wall sign to its entrance.

The 82-acre assisted living facility on Linebaugh Avenue, east of Race Track Road, wants the two signs flanking the entry to "provide the necessary visual identity for this site." Petition 00-1200)

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