Land Use Update for Monday, July 1 , 2025

As you recall last year, there was a Live Local application to build townhomes on the hayfield next to Van Dyke Farms. This application was eventually pulled when county commissioners determined that Live Local projects did not apply to plan development zonings.

Now, Van Dyke Farms, Inc. has initiated 2 map amendments: HC/CPA 25-11 and HC/CPA 25-12 to the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan. These two amendments are intertwined.

These amendments address a total of 21.73 acres (the 12.97 acres at 6720 Van Dyke Rd and the 8.76 acres at 17635 Tobacco Rd). This property is vested for county utilities.

This plan is for up to 155 townhouses by DR Horton.

The Plan Hillsborough Commissioner Hearing is scheduled for July 14, 2025

(Hillsborough County BOCC Adoption: August 14)

We are asking for everyone to send letters of opposition to the planners by July 10th. You must write your name and address on the email. We also need folks to attend this public meeting on July 14th at 5:30pm (either virtually or in person) Link: Hillsborough County Planning Commission Regular Meeting - Plan Hillsborough

Please send emails to:

Jillian Massey masseyj@plancom.org  and Melissa Lienhard lienhardm@plancom.org

Subject line: Deny HC/CPA 25-11 and HC/CPA 25-12

Body of email:

The planning commission works with the public to shape Hillsborough County’s future.

Citizen input for zoning, development and long range planning is key to its success.

From monthly newsletters, (Connections to Tomorrow) showing Upcoming Engagement Opportunities along with public surveys, growth management, goals for safer streets and the established community plans in place for our communities; the citizens of Hillsborough County work with professional planners to shape our comprehensive plan.

Private text/map amendments for a particular parcel not only diminish the role of the planners but completely ignore the will of citizens and the existing community plans in place to protect our neighborhoods.

I am ADAMANTLY opposed to HC/CPA 25-11 and HC/CPA 25-12

Urban expansion into Keystone-Odessa goes against not only our Keystone-Odessa community plan but our way of life.

This urban expansion undermines the peaceful and harmonious community that generations of Keystone-Odessa families have worked hard to build.

This property is in the Rural Area, on a hayfield (not an Infill Development which refers to the construction of buildings or facilities on vacant or underused land within existing urban areas) is within the limits of the Keystone-Odessa Community Plan.

Approval of HC/CPA 25-11 and HC/CPA 25-12 not only sets a dangerous precedent but ignores the Keystone-Odessa community’s rural way of life and goes against our community plan.

We ask commissioners to deny this application.

Proposed density of up to 155 townhouses goes against directly against the Keystone-Odessa Community Plan. A plan our community has fought to uphold for well over two decades.

This project would send Steinbrenner High School over capacity, put Martinez Middle School just shy of capacity and the additional traffic would overwhelm our 2 lane roads.

This project would overburden our current resources, our transportation, schools, fire station, police department and our environment. This property has significant wetlands that would be destroyed with this proposed development.

Please uphold the will of the people and the Keystone-Odessa Community Plan and deny this application.