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Land-Use Vote Delayed

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By B.C. MANION The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 19, 2008

TAMPA - Debate about proposed apartments in Valrico pushed off consideration of land-use changes that would boost development potential in Keystone and Lutz until later this month.

Members of the Hillsborough Planning Commission decided Monday night to hold off on a request by Stephen J. Dibbs to remove a 305-acre site from the Keystone-Odessa Community Plan.

They also postponed consideration of Dibbs' proposal to boost development potential on 36.5 acres within the site to suburban-style uses.

The planning board also delayed a request by Tommy Shannon to allow more intense uses on two parcels, totaling 58 acres, on the north and south sides of Van Dyke Road, west of Gunn Highway.

And, it put off consideration of two proposed policy changes that would create more opportunities to expand public water and sewer lines into rural areas.

All of these issues are scheduled to be considered at a 5:30 p.m. hearing on Jan. 28 at Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. The planning board advises the Hillsborough County Commission on changes to its long-range plan.

The Keystone and Lutz issues were delayed after it became clear that a contentious hearing on the proposed Valrico apartments would last for hours.

Opponents to Dibbs' proposals to secede from the Keystone-Odessa Community Plan and to boost development potential on a portion of the site applauded the Planning Commission's delay.

The issues are too important to be rushed through, said Steve Morris, a member of the Keystone Civic Association.

The tract Dibbs wants to remove from the community plan also contains 50 acres he wants to use for a borrow pit.

Dibbs wants to mine dirt from four holes, ranging from 20 to 35 feet deep. He wants to remove 2.5 million cubic yards of dirt over 10 years for roadway and construction projects. An estimated 56 trucks a day would enter and leave the site.

That request - which has sparked opposition from nearby neighbors, the Lutz Civic Association, the Keystone Civic Association and homeowners' groups - is being considered in a separate county process.

A hearing on the borrow pit was held Nov. 16 before Special Hearing Officer Harold Youmans. Instead of ruling on the request, Youmans cited due process and sent it back for another hearing. That has been set for 9 a.m. Jan. 25 in the county commission's board room on the second floor of county center.

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampatrib.com.

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