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Residents Add Forest In Seffner Area Plan

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

The Seffner-Mango area is growing, and not just in terms of population.

At the July 17 Seffner-Mango Community Plan meeting, 20 residents agreed to shift the community's boundaries and claim a chunk of land east to McIntosh Road for the community plan.

The stake adds another square mile to Seffner.

Previously, the plan included the parts of Mango and Seffner that lie within the county's urban service area, in which the county provides water and sewer service. Residents said they think it is just as important to include the rural service area east of Seffner.

"This area contains the last forest in this area," said resident Susan Watson, referring to an extensive area that crosses over Interstate 4 known as the Eagles Forest because it is home to a bald eagle nest. "And there are wetlands and environmental concerns here that have ramifications for the rest of the community. We have over 50 species of wildlife here and 26 species of birds."

Watson and resident Joy Ingram are fighting an attempt by Tampa Electric Co. to place a high-voltage power line through that area.

Like other communities throughout Hillsborough County, Mango and Seffner residents are working with the Planning & Growth Management Department to come up with a community plan to direct future growth.

When complete, the Seffner-Mango Community Plan will become part of the county's Comprehensive Land-Use Plan.

Residents and business owners are invited to take part in the process, giving their thoughts on all aspects of the community from transportation to zoning density.

In Mango and Seffner, Ingram said, the overwhelming sentiment of residents at the past eight meetings with county staff has been to keep things status quo.

"Our main plan is no plan," she said. "We really don't want any zoning changes. We want to maintain the zoning the way it is."

Dennis Schrand, president of the Greater Seffner-Mango Chamber of Commerce, agreed.

Rather than make sweeping changes, the residential and business communities prefer to improve on the positive features of the two communities, he said.

In addition, they told county planners they want to protect existing historic, agricultural and natural resources, including the area around Eagles Forest, which once was a pioneer wagon trail between Brandon and Plant City.

John Healey, a principal planner with the planning and growth management department, said he will revise the concept map to reflect the residents' suggestions and bring it to the Aug. 21 meeting for residents to review.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner.

For information, contact Healey at (813) 276-8393.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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