County approves two Palm River area land‑use changes and related rezoning

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted 7–0 to approve two privately initiated comprehensive plan amendments affecting parcels along South 78th Street and Causeway Boulevard and to approve a companion rezoning request.

Planning Commission staff presented HCCPA 2442, a 2.29‑acre privately initiated map amendment at 2212 South 78th Street, proposing to change the site’s future land use from Residential 9 (Res‑9) to Residential 16 (Res‑16). Alexis Myers of planning staff told commissioners the Res‑16 designation allows consideration of up to 16 dwelling units per acre and is consistent with comprehensive‑plan policies promoting compatible infill and mixed‑use corridors. Applicant representative Todd Pressman said the site is suited to multifamily uses and that planning staff and the Planning Commission found the amendment compatible.

Nearby resident Dennis Chaney urged the board to retain light commercial uses, saying he feared apartments would increase noise and traffic at a property he said is about 208 feet from his house. Pressman replied that notice was provided to more than 115 addresses, that the change is less intensive than some alternative commercial entitlements, and that buffers exist. Commissioner Myers moved approval; Commissioner Whistell seconded. The board adopted CPA 2442, recorded as CPA 2442 (motion carried 7–0).

Separately, staff presented HCCPA 2440, an 8.39‑acre privately initiated amendment at 7812 Causeway Boulevard to change the future land use from Res‑9 to Office Commercial 20 (OC‑20). Planning staff described surrounding heavy and light industrial uses and noted OC‑20 allows a greater range of commercial and office intensities (and a higher FAR). The applicant said the roadway (Causeway Boulevard) is a principal arterial that already serves intensive uses and noted large buffers and creek corridors to the north.

A concurrent rezoning (RZ standard 205‑175) was brought forward to change an 8.25‑acre parcel from Commercial General to Commercial Intensive with applicant‑offered restrictions (outdoor storage of commercial trailer equipment, accessory minor motor‑vehicle repair, and a small office). County staff, the Planning Commission and the zoning hearing master recommended approval. Commissioners moved and seconded the motions and the board recorded votes approving both the plan amendment transmittal/adoption action for HCCPA 2440 and the rezoning RZ 205‑175; both carried 7–0.

What happens next: transmittal of privately initiated comprehensive plan amendments to the state and reviewing agencies is complete for these items; the approved map changes do not automatically authorize construction. Any development proposals will still require zoning clearance, site‑level development review, and required infrastructure and concurrency determinations before building permits can be issued.