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Seffner Planning Meeting Draws A Crowd

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By TOM BRENNAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2007

Updated: 10/10/2007 10:09 am

SEFFNER - Some don't mind the new growth; others abhor it. But all agree the county hasn't done enough to prepare for it.

'We need wider roads, but they keep bringing in more people,' said Rick Patterson, who lives in the Mango Groves subdivision.

Debbie Davis of Shangri La shared his sentiments.

'They keep putting up houses but don't widen the roads or provide any of the shops or restaurants we need,' she said. 'If they are going to allow more people to live in the area, they need to support the needs of those who are already here.'

Patterson and Davis were among more than 100 people at the kick-off open house for the Seffner Community Plan last week, an effort to define Seffner's needs and outline ways to meet them.

Not everyone was optimistic.

'It is a good idea, if they do something,' said Ron Scott, who lives on Taylor Road. 'But I've been attending these planning sessions since we moved out here 10 years ago, and some of the things they were correcting back then are still here.'

John Healey, who is overseeing the project for the county's Planning and Growth Management department, was pleased by the turnout.

'People expressed ideas freely and seemed to be excited about starting this,' he said.

More than 20 people signed up to serve on the plan's working committee, which will meet monthly. The first meeting, Healey said, will be this month.

Bruce Hutcheson, who lives off Pine Street, wants less development.

'I would like to see the growth slow down,' he said. 'The quality of life for the people who live here deteriorates as more and more people come in.'

Kim Patterson, Rick's wife, said people need to accept the influx of new residents.

'There are too many old-timers who want to reminisce on what the area used to be,' she said.

David James, who lives off Old Hillsborough Avenue, agreed.

'Most people move out here to have their 1/8 -acre, and they don't want any one else to have theirs,' he said.

James said Seffner is unique in its mix of homes.

'Few ZIP codes have both trailers and million-dollar homes,' he said. 'What we don't need is any more cookie-cutter subdivisions.'

Healey said it is not too late for residents to take part and become members of the working committee. For information, call him at (813) 276-8393 or Carmen Telesca at (813) 272-5828.

Hutcheson said such participation is crucial for the community plan to succeed.

'Most people fee like they can't make a difference,' he said. 'But you can't make a difference if you don't come out and let these people know what you think.'

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

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