Brandon Mall plans for future expansion

Looking toward future expansion, the owners of the Westfield Brandon Mall are seeking a rezoning that would allow for 180,000 square feet more of commercial development.

Westfield LLC has future plans to extend the new restaurant concourse east of Dick's Sporting Goods over to the Macy's store. No date for that expansion has been set.

A Hillsborough County zoning hearing master is expected to make a recommendation to the county commission next week, based on a presentation made by Westfield's spokesman Jan. 23. That recommendation is scheduled to go to the Hillsborough County Commission for consideration March 6.

"We're getting approvals for possible development," said attorney Scott Steady, who presented the rezoning request to the zoning hearing master. He said the company recently expanded its mall at Countryside near Clearwater and expanded its two properties in Sarasota.

Future plans also are being considered for four outparcels around the mall, said Tara Martin, regional marketing director for Westfield.

"One of Westfield's core philosophies is to continually reinvest in its properties, always with the goal of introducing a range of fresh, new retail and dining offerings to widen the range of choice and convenience for our customers," Martin said.

The mall, as approved in 1983, is built out, Steady said. So the additional 180,000 square feet of commercial zoning would be a true addition to the project.

Westfield is also requesting a drop in the parking requirement from 4.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial area to four spaces, Steady said.

"The parking drop is to reflect that there is excess parking," he said.

The 113-acre Westfield Brandon Mall is anchored by Dillard's, Sears, Macy's and J.C. Penney.

Its newest addition, 150,000 square feet of commercial space completed in 2007, includes Dick's Sporting Goods, Apple, Sephora, Coach and White House/Black Market. The mall's restaurant promenade includes The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen.