TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Major Retail Plan Proposed

ADVERTISEMENT

By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

BRANDON - Yet another segment of land wedged between Falkenburg Road and Interstate 75 is being considered for high-intensity development.

This time, it's a 10-acre parcel on the northwest corner of Causeway Boulevard and Falkenburg Road.

Developers hope to get approval for zoning changes that would allow them to construct 80,000 square feet of retail space and one or two out-parcels.

The property, now vacant, is zoned for Urban Mixed-Use 20. The county in 1998 approved allowing a 75-room hotel, a 10,080-square-foot showroom, a 28,448-square-foot event center and 16,320 square feet of retail space on the property.

RBI Development Group is asking for a major modification to change the zoning to Planned Development.

The land is owned by Bissett-McGrath Independence Partnership.

The developer's request is scheduled to go before the Hillsborough County zoning hearing master Aug. 4 and the Hillsborough County Commission Sept. 23.

Land just north of Bissett-McGrath's parcel also is being considered for zoning changes in an area the county has designated for high-intensity development.

Other proposals along the corridor call for converting 26 acres into 200,000 square feet of retail space and constructing 400 town houses or apartments. Another 64 acres is targeted for 395,000 square feet of retail space and 400 town houses or apartments.

Last year, Zons Development incorporated those two parcels into plans for a 144-acre mega-development that would have included a big-box store, a hotel, town homes and other uses. The county approved the plan with numerous conditions, but Zons withdrew its request for a rezoning without explanation.

Ty Maxey, a principal planner for Englehardt, Hammer and Associates, which represents RBI Development, did not return phone calls.

Hillsborough County planner Susan Mariner said the 10 acres are within a corridor set for high-intensity development along I-4. She said transportation impacts will be considered as the proposals are reviewed.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or yhammett@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT