Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Land Use Meeting Summary

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners held its regularly scheduled land use meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the County Center, 2nd Floor. The board addressed a full agenda including consent items, vacation petitions, public hearings on land use modifications, regular agenda rezonings, agricultural enclave certifications, and an off-agenda discussion to schedule the Community Investment Tax (CIT) public hearing for the Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. Commissioners present were Hagan, Myers, Cameron Cepeda, Cohen, Wostal, Miller, and Boles.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the consent agenda (items B.1–B.5): a major modification to a planned development (MM 26-0822, Pressman Todd); a standard rezone (RZ-STD 26-1168, Larry Poliner); and three plat finalizations—Conley Cove (accepting $2,969,732.34 performance bond, $142,584.99 warranty bond), Durant Ridge (accepting $24,138.38 warranty bond), and Meade Estates On-Site & Off-Site (accepting $3,562,942.50 performance bond, $129,194.40 warranty bond)—authorizing the Development Services Department to accept dedications and maintain public improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item F.4 (RZ-PD 26-0974 – Convenience store/gas station): Attorney Jonathan Bailey (representing Hillsdale Baptist Church and Christian Academy) opposed the project, citing incompatibility, traffic increase from 28 to 2,800 trips, wetland encroachment (38% of site, 8,700 sq ft impact), and potential alcohol sales near a church and school. Francine Silverman raised flooding risks due to aging infrastructure. Claudia Capiello (via phone) reported over 900 petition signatures in opposition.
• Item F.5 (RZ-STD 26-1184 – Single-family residential): Resident Mary Ampieri expressed concerns about construction noise, street lighting, fence height, emergency egress, and inadequate communication from the developer; she clarified she is not in opposition but seeks mitigation.
• Item E.8 (Agricultural Enclave 26-1535): Applicant attorney James Porter requested a continuance, stating that the 68-page staff report was received only six days prior (including only three business days), raising due process concerns, and noting active litigation.
• CIT off-agenda item: No public testimony was taken.

Discussion Items

Withdrawals, Continuances and Remands

All acted on unanimously:

• A.1 (MM 26-0062) continued to Dec 8, 2026.
• A.2 (PRS 26-0610) withdrawn by applicant.
• A.3 (PRS 26-0614) withdrawn by staff.
• A.4 (PRS 26-1151) continued to Dec 8 by applicant.
• A.5 (PRS 26-1256) continued to Dec 8 per staff.

Vacations of Rights-of-Way, Easements & Plats

• C.1 (V26-0014): Adopted resolution vacating 860 sq ft public utility easement at 6706 Forrestvale Lane to resolve a shed encroachment (unanimous; no objections).
• C.2 (V26-0018): Adopted resolution vacating 5,396.57 sq ft (0.12 acres) of unimproved Morrison Avenue right-of-way for RV parking and storage; a drainage easement reserved (unanimous; no objections).

Public Hearing – Land Use (E.1–E.8)

• E.1 – PRS 26-0962 (Lifestyle Communities): Approved – modify design requirements for large-scale retail building on 137.09 acres at Covington Garden Dr & Big Bend Rd (vote 7‑0).
• E.2 – PRS 26-1077 (Hill Ward Henderson): Continued to Dec 8, 2026; staff recommendation not supported (unanimous continue).
• E.3 – PRS 26-1147 (Diocese of St. Petersburg): Approved – increase building square footage for church accessory structure on 15.79 acres (vote 7‑0).
• E.4 – PRS 26-1258 (LYVWELL Communities): Approved – remove mixed-use building requirement on 2.33 acres at 11810 N Dale Mabry Hwy; applicant stated no change in density or traffic (vote 7‑0).
• E.5 – PRS 26-1264 (LIV Development): Approved – remove sidewalk requirement on 32.45 acres along Caniglio Drive; sidewalks provided elsewhere (vote 7‑0).
• E.6 – PRS 26-1283 (Phillips Edison & Co.): Approved – clarify that minor motor vehicle repair is a permitted use on 3.7 acres (vote 7‑0).
• E.7 – AG-ENC 26-1528 (Pine Tree Acres LLC): Approved – certify 58.29‑acre agricultural enclave at Gunn Hwy & Van Dyke Rd; staff confirmed criteria met (77% perimeter developed, 51% per other measure) (vote 7‑0). Commissioner Wostal noted the board’s role is ministerial.
• E.8 – AG-ENC 26-1535 (Stephen Dibbs): Staff determined the 316.66‑acre parcel does not meet criteria (deemed developed, three parcels lack agricultural exemptions, only ~31% perimeter developed, only ~28% perimeter in urban service area). Applicant requested continuance; after discussion, board continued to the October 21, 2026 BOCC regular meeting (vote 5‑2; Commissioners Hagan and Boles opposed). Commissioner Wostal noted that if board fails to act within 90 days, state law provides automatic approval.

Regular Agenda (F.1–F.5)

• F.1 – RZ-PD 26-0445 (Todd Pressman): Approved – rezone 0.55 acres at 4020 W Waters Ave from CG to PD for office/medical uses, considered a compatible downzoning (vote 7‑0).
• F.2 – RZ-PD 26-0671 (Balm Rd LLC): Approved – rezone 79.9 acres from AR/PD to PD for 220 single‑family dwellings (vote 7‑0).
• F.3 – RZ-PD 26-0673 (Corp. to Develop Communities of Tampa): Approved – rezone 1.71 acres for 20 affordable housing duplex units (80% AMI). Board denied applicant’s request to introduce additional evidence (vote 7‑0 on both motions).
• F.4 – RZ-PD 26-0974 (Leaders Companies LLC): Denied – 3.4 acres for a 4,852 sq ft convenience store with 12 fueling positions and underground tanks. Staff, planning commission, and hearing master all recommended denial due to wetland setback encroachment, lack of information on infrastructure impacts, and incompatibility. Applicant’s request for a remand was not taken up. Public opposition was extensive. Motion to deny passed 7‑0.
• F.5 – RZ-STD 26-1184 (Mattamy Tampa/Sarasota): Approved – rezone 16.51 acres at Raulerson Rd from AS-1 to RSC-9(R) with restrictions (max 4 du/ac, 7,200 sq ft min lot, 60 ft min lot width). Staff noted access and other issues will be resolved at permitting stage. Vote 6‑1 (Commissioner Cameron Cepeda opposed).

Related Items (G.1–G.2)

• G.1A (RZ-PD 26-0363) & G.1B (PRS 26-1235): Approved together – rezone 4.11 acres to PD for 14 single‑family lots and remove the parcel from the parent planned development (vote 7‑0).
• G.2A (PRS 26-0480) & G.2B (PRS 26-0483): Approved together – modify access points at US 301 & Cape Stone Ave to provide both vehicular and golf cart access (vote 7‑0).

Staff Items

• I.1 – Status Report on Live Local Act Development Projects: No new applications since last report; county attorney updated that the pending lawsuit motion to dismiss awaits hearing. Report accepted (unanimous).
• I.2 – Status Report on Agricultural Enclave Projects: Provided status of prior approved enclaves and noted the two applications heard today. Report accepted (unanimous).

Off-Agenda Item – CIT Public Hearing Scheduling

Chair Hagan added an off-agenda item to discuss scheduling the Community Investment Tax public hearing for the Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. County Attorney Julia Mandel reported that a quorum for an evening meeting could not be obtained before November 5. Chair Hagan moved to authorize staff to schedule and advertise a public hearing on November 10, 2026, during the regular Board meeting. Commissioners Wostal and Cameron Cepeda argued for an evening meeting to allow greater public participation, citing past precedents and criticizing the process as rushed. Commissioner Boles inquired about bond validation documents. The motion passed 5‑2, with Commissioners Cameron Cepeda and Wostal opposed; Commissioners Hagan, Myers, Cohen, Miller, and Boles in favor. Commissioner Boles noted no objection to the November date.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items and vacations approved unanimously.
• Land use items: E.1, E.3, E.4, E.5, E.6, E.7 approved unanimously; E.2 continued; E.8 continued to October 21 BOCC meeting (5‑2).
• Regular agenda: F.1, F.2, F.3 approved unanimously; F.4 denied (7‑0); F.5 approved (6‑1).
• Related items G.1 and G.2 approved unanimously.
• Staff reports accepted unanimously.
• CIT public hearing authorized for November 10, 2026 board meeting (5‑2).