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Group Leads Resistance To Complex

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By TOM BRENNAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2007

VALRICO - Opponents of a proposed apartment complex east of the Albertson's shopping plaza at Bloomingdale Avenue and Lithia-Pinecrest Road are trusting there is strength in numbers.

Never before has the staff of the Hillsborough Planning Commission received so many calls, e-mails and letters assailing a project.

"It's a little unprecedented," said Steven Griffin, who is overseeing the commission's review of a developer's request to change the county's long-range growth plan to accommodate the complex.

Generally, Griffin said, staff may receive 15 or 20 such expressions of opposition. In this case, they've heard from about 1,200 people.

"We've gotten a bunch," he said. "It is kind of unusual."

Ken Nailing is spearheading opposition on behalf of VOICE - Valrico Organizations Interested In Controlled Expansion, an amalgam of homeowners groups and individuals.

"People don't want to see apartments, condos or town homes east of Lithia-Pinecrest," Nailing said. "There is a pent-up demand to react to it."

Crosland Development wants to build 268 apartments on 19.6 acres on the north side of Bloomingdale, behind the Albertson's shopping plaza. The proposal also calls for 9,600 square feet of retail space along Bloomingdale, with apartments over the shops.

Crosland wants the county to modify its comprehensive growth plan to allow 16 units per acre, up from the four units now permitted. The modification would increase the allowable number of apartments from 75 to 302, an increase of 227.

The change would be a prelude to Crosland's request that the county rezone the property.

"This just gives us the opportunity to file for a rezoning," said Vin Marchetti, Crosland's attorney.
Marchetti downplays the crush of opposition letters.

"They nowhere reflect the true majority of the people in the area," he said, adding that several homeowners' groups have opted not to object.

Nailing said he wonders what else would get Crosland's attention. He said the letters sent to the planning commission include those signed by 20 presidents of homeowner associations representing about 2,900 homes.

"It was a resounding response," he said, noting that that area of Valrico is a tight-knit community. "People know people from church and soccer. They chit chat."

A bulk of the expressions of opposition were form letters circulated by VOICE.

Nailing defended the approach.

"It makes it easy for people to become involved, a way for people to show their interest," he said. "It can be difficult for people to get charged up and motivated."
Marchetti said his client will not be deterred.

"We are moving forward and will deal with it at the public hearing," he said.

The planning commission will hold a public meeting on the request Jan. 14. County commissioners, who have the ultimate say, will consider the planning commission's recommendation when they hold their hearing Feb. 7.

Nailing said residents will continue their opposition at both meetings and if any future rezoning requests are submitted.

"It all goes back to a person's desire to do what's best for the neighborhood or area," he said. "I don't know what more we can do."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Planning Commission hearing on proposed apartment complex

WHEN. 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14

WHEN: Planning Commission board room, 18th floor, County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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