Philippine Cultural Foundation seeks rezoning to legalize events; neighbors raise noise, traffic and notice concerns

The Philippine Cultural Foundation asked the Hillsborough County zoning hearing master on June 21 to rezone about 10 acres at 14301 9 Eagles Drive, north of Racetrack Road, from agricultural-rural (AR) to planned development (PD) so its Bayanihan (Bayanihan Arts and Events) complex can continue and expand special-event uses, including the annual PhilFest.

The request, presented by land-use planner Kayla Harrell and attorney Jim Porter on behalf of the foundation, would formalize existing indoor and outdoor cultural events and add conditions describing three event sizes and limits on vehicle counts and hours. County staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions; the matter will return to the Board of County Commissioners for a final decision after the hearing officer files a written recommendation.

Planning staff said the PD would allow indoor and outdoor weddings, banquet and reception halls, neighborhood fairs, agricultural stands connected to PhilFest and cultural facility uses tied to the foundation. Sam Ball of County Development Services summarized the proposed limits: small events may use no more than 105 vehicles and are allowed seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.; medium events (106–317 vehicles) would be limited to four occasions per year with…