Council adopts land-use change for 20-acre Rollerson Ranch site to allow higher-density housing

The City of Temple Terrace City Council on March 28 adopted Ordinance 1580, approving a comprehensive plan future land use map amendment (CPA 24‑02) that redesignates roughly 20.1 acres at 10851 Rollerson (Ralston) Ranch Road from public/semi‑public to Residential‑18.

Planning staffer Krista Kelly told council the privately initiated small‑scale amendment would permit residential development at higher density than the current public/semi‑public designation. "If the change were approved, up to 360 dwelling units could be considered," Kelly said, and staff concluded the change is consistent with multiple comprehensive‑plan policies that support locating multifamily residential near activity centers and multimodal corridors.

Multiple nearby residents spoke at the public hearing raising concerns about traffic, one‑way access, emergency response and the prospect of increased congestion during school drop‑off and pick‑up times. Resident Anna Rollerson said the existing single in/out access already creates long drop‑off queues with the adjacent Patel schools. Martha Moore and others asked whether Rollerson Ranch Road could be widened to four lanes; FDOT staff and the applicant said FDOT had signaled it will not allow a new connection from Raulerson/Ralston Ranch Road to Fowler Avenue and that the off‑ramp alignment limits some access changes.

The applicant’s transportation engineer, Basit Ali, provided a preliminary trip‑generation estimate using Institute of Transportation Engineers methodology and said a 360‑unit multifamily project would generate about 40 AM and 140 PM peak‑hour trips. The applicant group said it would work with FDOT and the community on traffic mitigations; the applicant’s representative also said the owner previously studied a trade‑college use but found it not financially viable after conducting a feasibility study.

Council discussion referenced both planning consistency and resident concerns. City Attorney Shoshone advised council on the evidentiary standard for plan amendments and noted that denials must be supported by substantial competent evidence demonstrating a conflict with the comprehensive plan. After debate, council approved the ordinance on second reading by voice vote.

What it allows: The Residential‑18 designation permits higher‑density residential such as multifamily; staff also noted the site could generate a reduced nonresidential square‑footage allowance compared with current public/semi‑public designation. Additional approvals — rezoning and site plan review — are required before development begins.