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Commissioners ease parking and pavement conditions for Keel Farms agritourism site
Summary
The Board approved amendments to Keel Farms’ planned‑development conditions to allow weekday use of an overflow lot and to remove a hardened‑pavement requirement after hearing staff, traffic counts and farm testimony; commissioners said the change supports farm viability while adding conditions to protect neighbors.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on May 12 approved a request to modify conditions on a planned‑development application for Keel Farms that will allow the farm to use a southern overflow parking lot Monday through Sunday and remove a requirement that the lot be hardened in asphalt.
County staff and the applicant described the item as a refinement to previously imposed transportation and parking conditions. Colin Rice, attorney for Keel Farms, said the request included revised conditions and that the farm seeks to use an existing southern lot for daily parking rather than only Friday–Sunday. Michael Yates of Palm Traffic presented field counts and turning‑movement observations and told the board, “we do not anticipate turn lanes would be warranted” based on typical weekday and Saturday volumes. Owner Clay Keel told commissioners Keel Farms is a 45‑year‑old, bona fide agriculture operation that employs more than 100 people and has expanded into agritourism as a way to preserve farmland.
Commissioner Joshua Wostal pushed to remove urban paving requirements for the rural site, arguing they place an undue burden on small farms. Commissioner Christine Miller said she supported leaving the parking lot in its existing state to preserve the farm’s rural character; the applicant agreed to an amended condition that formalizes that approach. After an amendment offered by Commissioner Wostal and seconded by Commissioner Cameron Cepeda, the board approved the request unanimously.
Why it matters: Keel Farms said the southern lot is already used on weekends and county counts indicate it can handle additional weekday parking for employees and patrons without triggering road improvements. Commissioners framed the change as a balance between protecting neighborhood character and supporting a family farm and local jobs.
Next steps: County staff will incorporate the board’s amended conditions into the development approval and the applicant may proceed under the revised PD conditions and the county’s development‑permit process.
