On Jan. 6 the Temple Terrace City Council approved second reading of a comprehensive plan amendment (CPA 20-02) that changes the future land-use designation of a roughly 3-acre parcel south of Talina Lane from Residential-9 to Residential-18.

Planning Commission staff and city planners recommended the change as consistent with Imagine 2040 policies encouraging a mix of housing types in urban areas. Unica Mills of the planning commission summarized findings that the amendment aligns with multiple comprehensive plan objectives about varied housing types and public facilities.

Multiple residents of nearby Meadowood spoke during the hearing, urging the council to consider flood risk, stormwater drainage, increased traffic on North 78th Street, lack of sidewalks, and proximity to a lift station. Residents said prior storms had caused water intrusion on adjacent properties and cautioned that adding units could exacerbate local drainage problems.

Applicant representative Tarek Elfalah told the council the petitioner has not finalized a site plan or typology and would return with a site plan or rezoning application if they choose to proceed. "At this time we're not exactly sure what type of development ... we want to build," Elfalah said, adding that the applicant sought the land-use option so it could pursue development if feasible.

Council debate focused on process and timing: some members, including Council member Kravitz, said they were persuaded by resident testimony and expressed concern that approving the comp-plan change without a concrete site plan left too many unanswered questions about traffic and stormwater mitigation. Kravitz voted against the measure; the ordinance passed on second reading after the recess and discussion.

Council and staff emphasized that the comp-plan change does not itself authorize construction. Site-specific engineering, stormwater design and trip-generation analyses will be reviewed during future site-plan, rezoning or DRC processes and would return to council as appropriate.