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Neighbors Disagree On Future Of Dale Mabry Plan

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By B.C. MANION, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 23, 2007

LUTZ - The North Dale Mabry Overlay District is straightforward: It guides development along North Dale Mabry Highway between Van Dyke and County Line roads.

But the future of that district is anything but certain.

A group has been meeting with Hillsborough County planning staff since April to discuss what, if any, changes should be considered by the county commission.

When the district was adopted in 1989, it limited commercial development to North Dale Mabry intersections at Lutz-Lake Fern Road, Sunlake Boulevard and Van Dyke Road.

Changes to the district discussed by the committee, unveiled last week at a community open house, would boost development potential at each of those activity areas.

Dozens of people at the gathering submitted written comments: Nearly three dozen objected to changing the district; about a half-dozen supported increasing development potential.

Longtime Lutz resident Gaye Townsend of 19905 Long Leaf Drive said the overlay district should be kept intact.

"We don't want Lutz to be Carrollwood," said Tom Mead of 18718 Geraci Road.

Kevin O'Brien of 19810 Deer Hollow Lane agreed. "We've got the SuperTarget. They're talking about a Wal-Mart. Cypress Creek Town Center mall is under construction. The only people who are in favor of it are people who own property, who want to maximize their profits," O'Brien said.

No changes should be made to the district before a frontage road is built, said Todd Mark of 19808 Deer Hollow Lane. "I don't want it to turn into South Dale Mabry Highway."

Although there are opponents to increased development, real estate agent Joel Grainger thinks they are in the minority.

"If it were ever put to a ballot, I believe those people would be voted down," said Grainger, who represents some large landowners in the overlay district.

Planning and growth management staff is expected to take a report on the issue to the Hillsborough County Commission on Dec. 11.

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

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