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Dozens Protest Plans For Homes

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

TAMPA - Taxpayers didn't purchase conservation lands all across Hillsborough County only to have developers access subdivisions through the middle of them, South Shore residents told a county official last week.

They showed up by the dozens at a zoning hearing to oppose plans to put 1,087 homes in a rural area, then pave an access road through endangered scrub habitat.

The zoning hearing master has two weeks to submit a recommendation to the county commission on the proposed rezoning of 537 acres in Balm and Wimauma from agricultural residential to planned development.
County planners have already put a condition on the rezoning request, limiting the development to 350 homes unless owner Turfgrass America can purchase right-of-way for a second entrance into the property.

Turfgrass America purchased the 537-acre sod farm after the original owner sold 1,600 acres to the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program in 1999, but retained the 50-foot right of way to Balm Road for farm access. The right of way runs through the ELAPP tract and would be used as a roadway in and out of the development.

A second entrance would require an extension of 19th Avenue over Bullfrog Creek, which could create other environmental issues, residents said.

The developers have agreed to provide wildlife crossings on both roads at the urging of county biologist Keith Wiley.

Opponents say that's not good enough.

"This project will isolate and fragment Balm Scrub and Bullfrog Creek," environmental activist Vivien Handy said.

"Environmental protection is ranked as a top priority among citizens in Wimauma," she said, adding that this project doesn't meet that priority.

Balm activist Marcella O'Steen said the development could become yet another ghost town as the bad economy keeps people from buying new homes.

Turfgrass attorney Andrea Zelman said the developer has agreed to concentrate most of the density on the innermost portions of the property with open space between the development and the ELAPP site.

And, she said, the rezoning is just a first and early step. "They are not going to go out and build a ghost town."

The alternative to the controversial development is for the county to purchase the land.

The Turfgrass America land is ranked on the "A" list for acquisition through ELAPP. That list goes to the county commission in December for consideration.

ELAPP purchases only from willing sellers. Turfgrass Vice President Ron Mahan said he is aware of the ranking and that the company will consider all serious purchase offers.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

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