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Compromise finally reached in land-use battle
By JACKIE RIPLEY, Times Staff Writer CITRUS PARK -- A controversial rezoning request that pitted neighbor against neighbor for more than a year has finally been resolved. And both sides walked away, if not happy, at least mollified. "We feel it's a fair compromise," said Leslie Horton, who lives on Beaty Grove Drive and opposed the project. "It's been a tremendously long haul but given what was originally wanted we think it's a good compromise for the neighborhood." Hillsborough County commissioners approved a request on Tuesday by homeowners who want to convert their residences on Gunn Highway and Beaty Grove Drive into offices -- but with conditions. It comes down to "our quality of life and a developer's credibility," said Horton's husband, Jim. Neighbors just want to maintain their quality of life and protect their "island of tranquility amid the chaos of northwest Hillsborough," he said. At issue was a request by Thomas Sciara, Josephine Sciara and Aurora Ortiz to rezone their 2.34 acres from agricultural to planned development so they can sell it for retail and office use.They had earlier asked that the offices be allowed to have at least 5,000 square feet. But in a recommendation last month, land use hearing officer John Crislip said the offices should be limited to 3,500 square feet, because the neighborhood "requires a high degree of sensitivity" due to "its small size and isolation from other residential development." In approving the rezoning, county commissioners limited buildings to a maximum of 3,500 square feet, a size they said was more in keeping with surrounding homes. Neighbors said they were mainly concerned about the extra traffic the project would generate on a street already overburdened by development. "I know there's been opposition," Claire Clements said. But "I feel like the decision should be based on codes, land use elements and previous rulings by the board." With the exception of paring down the building size, Clements agreed with the neighbors' other conditions. These included limiting access to Gunn Highway from the northern parcel, requiring a tie into county water and wastewater if the structures are rebuilt, and limiting height of the buildings to 25 feet. Security lights will be limited to 12 feet in height, and plants and a painted masonry wall will provide a buffer between the two office buildings and the 10 private homes. - Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 269-5308.
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From the Times |
