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Land use hearing: hospital sign, lot splits, accessory-structure and community-home variances closed for decision
Summary
At the Dec. 15 Hillsborough County Land Use hearing, staff and applicants presented multiple variance requests — including a medical-office sign setback, lot split requests, accessory-structure encroachments, and community residential home separation waivers; the hearing officer closed each case and will issue written decisions within 15 business days.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY — The Land Use Hearing Officer heard and closed a series of variance and special-use items on Dec. 15, 2025, including sign and setback variances for a medical office, lot-split requests, accessory-structure and home-expansion variances, and several community residential home separation waivers. No final approvals were issued at the hearing; the hearing officer will file written decisions within 15 business days for each matter.
Sign setback (Variance 26-0102): Development Services staff (Sam Ball) described a request to reduce a 19-foot front setback to permit an 8-foot monument sign at the entrance to a medical office. Applicant representative David Smith (identifying the applicant as AdventHealth Carol Wood) and facility director John Michaels said visibility is obstructed by right-of-way width, large utility poles, trees, a stormwater pond and an elevation change on Dale Mabry Highway; Michaels said patients have driven past the building because they could not see the existing sign. No public opposition appeared.
Lot split (Variance 25-1452): Staff explained a requested variance to minimum lot-size-by-utilities that would allow a 0.67-acre parcel to be divided into two smaller lots. The applicant joined virtually as Alejandro Yegue and said septic and well locations constrain the layout. The hearing officer asked for a video connection so the record included a visual of the applicant. No public speakers appeared.
Accessory-structure and home setback (Variance 26-0038): Staff reported the accessory structure currently occupies more than allowed rear-yard area and the primary house encroaches into setbacks. Applicant Todd Pressman and counsel said the parcel is unusually small for the block and cited property-appraiser records showing an unfinished carport present in 1962 to support the hardship claim. Staff noted a code-compliance case for unpermitted construction.
Community residential homes (separation variances): Multiple requests to reduce 1,000-foot separation requirements for Type A community residential homes (six residents or fewer) were presented. Applicants argued the proposed uses are residential in scale, licensed by state agencies, and would operate with residential appearance and low traffic. For one applicant (Awaken Assisted Living), counsel said the proposed site is about 650 feet away "as the crow flies" from an existing home but more than 3,000 feet by road, and that the two sites have separate access points and little functional overlap. Staff explained licensing verification is required for any future changes in the population served.
Other items: A homeowner sought a small rear-yard variance to add living space for caregiving duties; two separate alcohol-permit special uses (a 2-COP for an Italian restaurant and a 4-COP for a hotel) were presented with staff recommending approval subject to corrected wet-zone surveys and conditions.
Each matter was closed at the hearing for the record; the hearing officer will file written decisions within 15 business days. Those decisions will record any conditions of approval, denials, or other instructions from the hearing officer.
