Residents Urge County to Preserve Rural Character at Lithia Rezoning Hearing

LITHIA, FL — Residents packed the June 22 Hillsborough County Zoning Hearing Master meeting to voice opposition to a proposed rezoning that would allow up to 280 homes on approximately 190 acres near Lithia Pinecrest Road and Cattle Baron Court.

The application, RZ-PD 26-0422, seeks to convert land currently designated for agricultural use into a planned residential development. The proposal is tied to pending Comprehensive Plan Amendments that would expand the county's Urban Service Area and change the future land use designation for the property.

While representatives for WestBay Homes argued the project is compatible with surrounding development patterns and presented a revised conceptual plan featuring larger perimeter lots, landscaped buffers, and screening, many residents said the changes do little to address broader concerns about growth in the area.

A large crowd attended the hearing, with additional residents watching from an overflow room. When the Hearing Master asked who opposed the request, dozens of attendees stood in opposition. No members of the public spoke in favor of the project.

Much of the testimony centered on whether a development of 280 homes is compatible with neighboring agricultural properties where homes are typically situated on five- and ten-acre lots. Opponents argued that landscaping and fencing cannot adequately bridge the gap between rural land uses and suburban-style residential density.

Preserve Rural Lithia, a community organization formed to monitor growth and land-use issues in the area, coordinated expert testimony from planners, environmental advocates, and local residents. Speakers raised concerns about traffic congestion, school capacity, wildlife movement corridors, emergency access, infrastructure limitations, and the long-term preservation of Lithia's rural character.

One recurring theme throughout the evening was the pace of growth compared to available infrastructure. Residents questioned whether planned roadway improvements on Lithia Pinecrest Road would be completed before additional development places further demands on an already congested corridor.

Several speakers also highlighted the property's location between existing rural communities and conservation areas, arguing that it serves as an important transition zone between urban and agricultural land uses. Wildlife observations, including documented sightings of deer, bobcats, otters, and Florida panthers in the broader area, were presented as evidence of the region's ecological significance.

Another point of contention involved a revised conceptual site plan presented during the hearing. Opponents argued they had limited time to review the changes and questioned whether the new layout adequately addressed compatibility concerns raised during previous hearings.

The Planning Commission Board previously voted 4-3 to recommend a finding of inconsistency for the related Comprehensive Plan Amendments, although county planning staff had recommended approval. The Board of County Commissioners later voted 5-2 to transmit the amendments for state review.

The zoning request and associated Comprehensive Plan Amendments will continue through the county review process before final action by the Board of County Commissioners.

For many residents who attended the hearing, the debate extends beyond a single development. They view the proposal as part of a larger conversation about how growth should occur in southeastern Hillsborough County and whether the area's remaining rural landscapes can be preserved as development pressure continues to move eastward.

June 22nd Meeting

Make a Donation - Contribute to Lawyer Fees

https://preserverurallithia.org

Preserve Rural Lithia on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/preserverurallithia

BOCC Public Hearing