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By B.C. MANION

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

LUTZ - Residents and property owners interested in the future plans for the northern end of North Dale Mabry Highway can weigh in on them Tuesday night.

Planners from Hillsborough County's Planning & Growth Management department have scheduled a community meeting to discuss proposals for commercial expansion on the east side of North Dale Mabry Highway at Lutz-Lake Fern Road, and on the west side of North Dale Mabry between Lutz-Lake Fern Road and Sunlake Boulevard.

The meeting is slated for 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lutz Community Center, 98 1st Ave. N.W.

Planners are proposing changes to the county's North Dale Mabry Highway Overlay District, which guides development along a four-mile stretch of the highway between Van Dyke and County Line roads.

The district was adopted in 1989 to avoid stripping the highway with gas stations, restaurants and other commercial enterprises.

One change recommended by Hillsborough County commissioners would boost the potential for commercial at the southeast corner of Lutz-Lake Fern Road and North Dale Mabry Highway.

The current limit is 68,000 square feet; the proposed limit would be 110,000 square feet.

Commissioners in December called for the higher limit, noting the maximum should match the amount that was allowed when the overlay district was adopted - before the state Department of Transportation took a portion of the land.

Another change proposed by county planners would add two parcels fronting the highway near Sunlake Boulevard to the overlay district.

Planners also think the county should consider commercial uses for eight other nearby parcels, but they don't recommend including those in the overlay district because the properties don't front the highway.

Tuesday's meeting gives residents and property owners a chance to react to the proposals - and if the meeting is like others on this issue, opinions will be all over the map.

"I'm sure we'll have a wide-ranging discussion," said John Healey, an executive planner for the county's planning and growth management department.

Proposed changes to the overlay district would be made by amending the land development code.

Even if the code is changed, new uses would not be automatic; separate rezoning actions would be required.

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

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