Hillsborough County commissioners voted 6-1 June 10 to rezone a 2.11-acre parcel on the east side of Jackson Springs Road to allow 37 townhomes, a planned development the county said is compatible with surrounding residential uses.

The change replaces commercial neighborhood zoning with a planned development (PD) that limits uses, sets operating hours for restricted commercial activities and caps turning movements and trip generation; the zoning hearing master and planning staff found the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan and recommended approval.

Planning staff told commissioners the site sits in the Town and Country community plan and the residential-20 future land use category; the applicant’s plan would yield 37 dwelling units (about 17.5 units per gross acre) with a maximum height of 35 feet and buffering setbacks including a 20-foot type B buffer on the east and a 10-foot type A buffer on the west.

Dozens of nearby residents testified in opposition during the public hearing, citing flooding during recent storms, mature trees they said would be removed and traffic and privacy impacts from multiunit housing sited close to existing yards. Wayne Ballard, a neighbor, said under oath that trees on the property exceed permitted diameters and warned, “I have photographs that prove otherwise. The one across the street is 38 inches.”

John Canales, another nearby resident, said stormwater and site maintenance have been ongoing problems and warned that adding units would worsen drainage. Doris Udall, whose family has owned a home nearby since 1914, said the parcel “is an ecosystem into itself” and called the proposal “an abomination.”

The applicant, Dileep Agawa of 8704 Jackson Springs LLC, answered that the site is commercially zoned now and therefore could be developed with a range of more intensive commercial uses without coming back to the board. He told the board the project will include required traffic and stormwater improvements and that the units will be compatible with nearby development. Agawa also said the developer intends to occupy the existing on-site house during construction.

Planning commission staff and the zoning hearing master pointed to transportation analysis showing the proposed townhomes generate fewer vehicle trips than certain commercial uses that are allowed under the current commercial neighborhood zoning, and both recommended approval. The zoning hearing master noted the project would adhere to required buffering and screening standards.

Commissioner comments showed the board weighed the risk that a denial could leave the property available for higher-intensity commercial uses allowed as of right under current zoning. After debate, Commissioner Walston moved to approve and the motion passed; Commissioner Cohen cast the lone no vote.

The rezoning approval is a land-use approval; any site development, building permits, stormwater controls and tree removals will be reviewed at the permitting stage. The applicant said construction is not imminent and that development would be at least a few years away.