Commission approves controversial MLK light‑industrial plan amendment and rezoning over residents' objections

SEFFNER, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Commission voted May 8 to approve a small‑scale comprehensive‑plan amendment and a companion planned‑development rezoning that will allow open vehicle storage and formalize a long‑standing vehicle‑recycling operation on East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, despite sustained public opposition citing water‑quality and wellhead protection concerns.

Rebecca Kurt, attorney for the applicant, told the board the property has historic open‑storage and vehicular‑recycling uses and that the planned‑development application will prohibit new industrial activities and add buffers, a masonry wall and limited hours for operations. "We are in compliance with our state permits," Kurt said, noting Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) inspections had previously recertified the site as a "green yard." Mark Cara, the operator, described a staged process for draining fluids and sending regulated materials to certified recyclers.

Dozens of residents and environmental advocates urged the board to deny the applications. "They have been violating code enforcement magistrate rules… This could lead to further pollution of the groundwater," said Sandy Zale, who referenced DEP and SWFWMD letters alleging unauthorized activities and required remediation. Todd Randolph, speaking for the Sierra Club Tampa Bay Group, said, "The activities at the site and accompanying outdoor stockpiling pose a risk of contamination of drinking‑water sources."

Planning commission staff had recommended the amendment be found inconsistent with multiple comprehensive‑plan policies, including the wellhead resource protection rules and neighborhood‑protection objectives. Development Services and the zoning hearing master, however, recommended approval of the rezoning contingent on conditions, including an operating permit and site controls.

Commissioner Myers moved to deny CPA 23‑20, citing inconsistency with the Seffner Mango Community Plan and the county's water policies; that motion failed. The board then approved the comprehensive‑plan amendment by a 5‑2 vote, with Commissioners Hagen and Myers voting no. The companion rezoning (PD‑2041139) was approved on the same margin.

County staff emphasized that some existing vehicle‑recycling activity is a legal nonconforming use that could continue if the applications were denied, but supporters said approval will place the business under stricter site controls and operating permits.

The approvals require the applicant to obtain any outstanding South Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and county wellhead‑protection permits and comply with the planned‑development conditions attached to the rezoning.

Next steps: staff will implement required permitting follow‑ups and the rezoning will be subject to site‑plan review and conditions before expanded operations or changes can occur.

Key votes: CPA 23‑20 approved 5‑2; PD‑2041139 rezoning approved 5‑2 (Commissioners Hagen and Myers voted no).