Hillsborough County commissioners on Dec. 9 approved a rezoning that will allow 71 homes on an 8.34‑acre parcel along Sweetwater Creek, voting 7–0 to rezone the site from Business Professional Office to a planned development for 54 townhomes and 17 single‑family houses. Staff and the zoning hearing master recommended approval, saying the proposal reduces density compared with as‑of‑right commercial entitlements and is consistent with the county comprehensive plan.

The applicant, represented by Cammy Corbett of Hill Ward & Henderson, told the board the project equates to 8.51 dwelling units per acre — well under the Residential‑20 future land use maximum — and that proposed site plans avoid impacts to mapped wetlands. Corbett said the design includes a large stormwater pond and setbacks intended to provide transitions to adjacent neighborhoods.

Neighbors spoke both for and against the application at the public hearing. Rick Norgard, a nearby homeowner, said waterfront owners would better maintain the property and recounted past community dredging efforts. Opponent Jack Berlin, who lives directly on Sweetwater Creek, urged stronger environmental safeguards before approval: “Complete the county dredge project on Lower Sweetwater Creek before utilizing this waterfront,” Berlin said, and asked the board to increase wetland setbacks, reduce density and preserve options for dredging access.

The applicant’s wetland consultant, Abby Naylor of Naylor Environmental Solutions, testified that the project’s development footprint would not impact mapped wetlands on the site and noted that an invasive‑species management plan will be required during site plan review. Naylor acknowledged there is existing trash and nuisance vegetation along shorelines but said the proposed improvements would be an overall environmental improvement.

Commissioner Wilson, noting the project reduces potential density compared with commercial uses and invoking prior community dredging efforts, said the county should pursue funding for dredging in coordination with community requests. Commissioner Cohen emphasized that the Live Local Act could give the applicant higher as‑of‑right entitlements under state law and said the rezoning as presented is less intrusive than that alternative; he moved for approval.

The board recorded a unanimous vote approving PD 25‑0929. With the rezoning approved, the project will proceed to subsequent site plan and permitting reviews where wetlands protections, setbacks and invasive‑species management will be enforced as required by county code and any conditions attached to the approval.

The board’s action does not itself fund or schedule dredging of Lower Sweetwater Creek; several commissioners and residents asked staff to continue pursuing dredging projects and related funding in separate processes.