The Hillsborough County Planning Commission on July 14 unanimously found two related privately initiated proposals for land east of Dale Mabry Highway — HCCPA 25-13 (urban service area expansion) and HCCPA 25-14 (change from Residential 1 to Residential 9) — inconsistent with the county comprehensive plan, and forwarded the recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.

Lillian Linehan, planning commission staff, presented both items and said the proposals would add about 24.36 acres into the urban service area and change the future land use to permit higher residential density (up to 219 dwellings at Res 9) and increase nonresidential intensity. Staff cited multiple agency comments, including Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, which said higher density would increase call volumes and could require additional units; the county’s Office of Emergency Management said the proposal does not align with the county’s mitigation goals; community and infrastructure planning said the net trip increase would push Dale Mabry Highway past its service level by approximately 519 trips.

Applicant counsel Cammy Corbett and a certified planner on the team argued the parcel is uniquely situated at an arterial intersection and that utility extensions would provide environmental benefits compared with continued septic/well systems; they urged commissioners to consider the property’s frontage on Dale Mabry rather than only the immediately adjacent low‑density lots. “We would respectfully request your finding of consistency on the expansion,” Corbett said during her closing remarks.

More than three dozen residents spoke in opposition at the hearing. Speakers emphasized Holly Lane’s narrow, tree‑canopied character, recurring flooding, water‑table concerns and school and emergency‑service capacity. Ted Brown, a 50‑year Lutz resident, told the commission the amendment “is in direct conflict with the Lutz Community Plan.” Several residents cited recent storm flooding and the potential for added impervious surface to worsen drainage and water quality in nearby lakes and the Brooker Creek watershed.

Commissioners repeatedly noted the volume of public opposition and the policy direction in the Lutz Community Plan to retain a low‑density, semi‑rural character on the east side of Dale Mabry. Commissioner Kona moved to find both the urban service area expansion and the land‑use change inconsistent; the commission approved both motions 7-0. The staff reports, agency comments and the record of public testimony will accompany the commission’s transmittal to the Board of County Commissioners.