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Hearing officer reviews modifications to Navigator Academy charter school plan in Wimauma
Summary
Navigator Academy sought minor building‑site modifications to a previously approved special use permit for a K–8 charter school; county staff and planning commission staff found the changes approvable and the hearing record was closed.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Land Use Hearing Officer on March 31 heard proposed modifications to a previously approved special use for Navigator Academy of Leadership South Shore, a public charter school planned in the Wimauma area.
Todd Pressman, representing the applicant, said the school would remain limited to 50 classrooms and a maximum enrollment of 1,000 students, K–8, as originally approved on March 18, 2024. The current application requests a 2,000‑square‑foot increase in building area (from 65,000 to 67,000 square feet) with no increase in student population, minor adjustments to site setbacks, addition of a drop‑off canopy and a design exception modification to Bishop Road’s typical section. Pressman said the canopy is a small strip along the front of the building and that circulation, wetland conservation and playground locations remain unchanged.
Sam Ball of Development Services reviewed staff findings and noted the subject parcel covers 18.48 acres with approximately 11.66 acres of wetlands. Ball recommended approval subject to conditions, noting the 2,000‑square‑foot increase would not change the classroom count or student capacity and would not have significant impacts on adjacent areas because the playground is placed behind the school and surrounded by wetlands and retention areas.
Alexis Marriott of Planning Commission staff said the project is located in the Wimauma Village Residential 2 future land use category and that planning commission staff found the proposed modifications consistent with the unincorporated Hillsborough County comprehensive plan, subject to Development Services’ conditions.
No public speakers registered opposition at the hearing. The land use hearing officer closed the hearing; staff will file recommended conditions and the hearing officer will issue a written decision within the standard period for land use hearing officer orders.
