Commissioners approve Bloomingdale Avenue rezoning despite planning staff objections

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 11 approved a rezoning request for a 0.7-acre parcel on Bloomingdale Avenue in Brandon, shifting the site from a residential designation to Commercial Neighborhood Restricted with use limits. Commissioner Cameron Tepeda moved approval; Commissioner Wolsell seconded. The board voted 7-0 to approve REZ241203.

County planning staff and the Planning Commission had recommended denial, saying the parcel does not meet the county's commercial locational criteria and is inconsistent with the Brandon community plan and the unincorporated county comprehensive plan. Planning Commission staff told the board the site is roughly 2,800 feet from a qualifying intersection required by future land use policy 22.2 and therefore does not meet commercial locational criteria.

The applicant, represented by Todd Pressman, told the board the rezoning request included restrictions intended to limit intensity and make the site compatible with neighbors. "We have a lot of use restrictions, which include, no access to Bloomingdale, no drive thru uses," Pressman said, and he noted the applicant had personally contacted adjacent property owners. Dr. Cruz, an applicant representative, said an adjacent business had been in place for 10 to 15 years and that the nearest neighbor understood a nonresidential use could be expected at the site.

Planning Commission staff Melissa Linehard told the board the proposal conflicted with multiple sections of the future land use element, including Objective 16 and Policy 22.2, and that the site would introduce a development pattern "too intense for the surrounding area". The zoning hearing master likewise recommended denial after hearings and staff analysis.

The board heard argument from the applicant that the local roadway already supports commercial uses and that the applicant voluntarily offered prohibitions on high-intensity uses, including drive-throughs, convenience stores with or without gas pumps, car washes and motor-vehicle repair. The applicant also proposed limiting direct access to Bloomingdale Avenue.

Commissioner Cameron Tepeda said the local mix of commercial and residential uses justified approval. After a brief discussion among commissioners, Tepeda moved to approve the rezoning. The motion carried 7-0.

The board record shows that the rezoning was approved with the applicant's offered restrictions; staff and Planning Commission objections remain part of the public record. No amendments to the motion were recorded at the hearing.

Looking ahead, the board's action allows the property owner to pursue development under the CNR restrictions approved today. The Planning Commission findings and the hearing master report are part of the administrative record and will be available to interested parties in county files.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve REZ241203 moved by Commissioner Cameron Tepeda; second Commissioner Wolsell. Vote: 7-0 (motion carried).