Commissioners approve Mango shopping‑center redesign; residents voice traffic and drainage concerns

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County commissioners on May 13 approved a major modification to redevelop an existing shopping center in the Seffner‑Mango area that includes the Walmart site and will eliminate the existing Publix, increase building area, and require off‑site traffic and drainage improvements.

Applicant representatives said the center’s design is outdated and the redevelopment will reorient the center away from nearby residences and include traffic and stormwater upgrades. "We're adding a southbound left turn lane on Mango at MLK," traffic consultant Michael Yates said, describing multiple improvements negotiated with county and state engineers to ease operations at intersections and school drop‑off locations.

Residents testified in opposition, citing existing flooding and narrow neighborhood roads. "This Walmart moved in here and pretty much put a damper on with sound [and] lights," resident Terry Lane said, adding concerns about a relocated stormwater outfall and increased traffic on Highview Road. Another neighbor said congestion sometimes prevents him from exiting his driveway.

Why it matters: The project will change traffic patterns and stormwater handling in a residentially mixed area and could affect safety and daily travel for nearby households.

What the board decided: The modification, which increases square footage for the affected area from roughly 189,000 to 222,000 square feet and raises the project’s total including outparcels from roughly 195,000 to 295,000 square feet, was recommended for approval by county development services and the zoning hearing master. The board approved the project and required the traffic and drainage improvements presented by the applicant; the board’s recorded motion indicated a 6–0 recorded vote at the time of transcript but the clerk said the vote would be corrected on the record.

Details and context: The redevelopment will remove the existing Publix grocery, reconfigure internal access, add turn lanes and a retention pond on the north side of the site, and—in the applicant’s words—move activity away from the residential boundary. Applicant civil engineer Eric Giuliano said the site will be redeveloped with modern stormwater systems that improve on the original 30‑year‑old drainage approach.

Residents asked the board to consider local road safety and stormwater capacity. County staff and the applicant said they coordinated with FDOT and county engineering on access and drainage mitigations. The project also includes a revised parking ratio; the hearing officer found the proposed parking acceptable based on industry data.

What’s next: The applicant will execute the required off‑site improvements and complete engineering approvals with county transportation and drainage departments prior to building permits.

Speakers quoted in this story spoke at the May 13, 2025 Hillsborough County Land Use meeting.