Owner asks hearing officer to allow mobile home and septic within wetland setback at Wesley Chapel property

Francisco Roxas told the Hillsborough County land use hearing officer on Sept. 22 that he purchased a parcel he says was illegally subdivided and is seeking two variances to place a mobile home, concrete pad, stairs and a drain field within a 30-foot wetland conservation setback and to allow a higher wetland percentage on the lot.

The request, Variance 25-1228, was presented by county staff as a variance from the 30-foot wetland conservation area setback requirement (LDC section 4.01.07) and as a variance to the maximum wetland percentage allowed in the AS‑1 zoning district (LDC section 6.01.01, note 2). Staff said the applicant’s site plan dated 08/05/2025 proposes a 15.2-foot encroachment into the required 30-foot setback, leaving about a 14.8-foot remaining setback; a current wetland delineation shows roughly 46% of the lot is wetland, versus the previously approved 30% under a 2002 variance.

Why it matters: Wetland setbacks and lot wetland percentages are intended to protect floodplain and drainage functions. A nearby resident who identified herself as living “adjacent” to the parcel said the neighborhood already experiences drainage and flooding issues and asked whether removing wetland or allowing encroachment could exacerbate flooding for surrounding acre‑lots. County staff noted the requested variance is to the wetland setback (not to fill wetlands themselves) and said the applicant provided a mitigation/compensation plan and a planting proposal.

Roxas told the hearing officer he acted in good faith after buying the property in 2024, invested in a mobile home and a new septic system (he said he spent about $23,000 for the septic and well work) and later learned a prior permit had been issued on the parcel in 2005 (permit P0503795) and that a certified parcel application was needed. “I bought this land and, unfortunately, the seller… illegally subdivided,” Roxas said during his presentation, and he asked the officer to consider mitigation he proposes, including planting native buffer vegetation.

County staff and the applicant answered neighborhood questions about whether the lot would be rented and confirmed rental frequency rules are governed by code (rentals must be for at least one week). No formal vote was taken at the hearing; the officer closed testimony on Variance 25-1228 and said a written decision will be issued within 15 business days.

Ending: The hearing record for Variance 25-1228 is now closed; the land use hearing officer will issue a written decision within 15 business days. Any appeal of that decision would be limited to the record presented at the Sept. 22 hearing.