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Lutz Residents Get Piled On In Dirt Case

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2008

It's understandable why many Lutz and Keystone-area residents are wiping their eyes these days. They've had dirt kicked at them, left and right.

First, a landowner unveiled plans to mine about 2.5 million cubic yards of dirt from about 50 acres along Lutz-Lake Fern Road. Stephen J. Dibbs hopes to sell the dirt for construction projects, but his dream jeopardizes the tranquil landscape of the mostly rural area.

Then, at a recent public hearing, citizens got short-changed by a hearing officer who refused to provide equal time for dissent. Next, they got blindsided by county staff members who revealed conditions for approval at the last minute.

Now, Dibbs is petitioning the county to remove about 305 acres - including the proposed borrow-pit site - from the Keystone-Odessa Community Plan, which was crafted to protect the area's charm and rural qualities.

Fortunately, the hearing officer, Harold Youmans, later realized the public hearing in November was unfair. He has agreed not to rule until another hearing is held. That's a big victory for residents, who deserve a fair shake from their government.

It's understandable why many residents are opposed to the borrow pit. It's an unattractive use of the land and is out of character with the area. It's expected to generate 56 big trucks a day, six days a week, creating traffic issues on local roads unless restricted to the nearby Suncoast Parkway and other major thoroughfares.

But the bigger issue is Dibbs' request for an amendment to the county's comprehensive land-use plan affecting about 37 acres. If approved by the county, he would be able to build more than 200 houses, up from the seven that would currently be allowed. He also could more than quadruple the commercial square footage allowed - to more than 170,000 square feet.

County staffers are right - these requests are incompatible with the nature of the area and the Keystone-Odessa plan, which generally limits densities to one home per five acres.

The borrow pit may be appropriate if county officials set strict conditions. But allowing high housing and commercial densities - and allowing Dibbs to remove his 305 acres from the community plan - would change the face of this tranquil area.

The county should stop this mud fight and stand behind its community plans, no matter the landowner's pull.

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