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By Melody Jameson
mj@observernews.net
…Wimauma Project
Efforts to rezone about 540 acres for the proposed Reserve at Westlake housing development here have been halted – at least for the time being. The site is on the east side of Westlake Drive north of S.R. 674.
In a letter dated May 15, 2009, the land owner’s consultant, WilsonMiller, advised Hillsborough’s Planning and Growth Management Department that application to rezone the land from an agricultural classification to Planned Development allowing 1,088 homes on the property adjacent county-owned conservation lands was withdrawn. A rezoning hearing had been scheduled for this week.
Ron Mahan, vice president of Turf Grass America, the land owner, attributed withdrawal to the current downturn in the real estate market. Asked if another rezoning effort could be undertaken, he replied “not within the next couple of months.”
The proposed development has been vigorously opposed by local residents and area activists concerned about transportation impacts on Westlake Drive and on S.R. 674 as well as about several environmental issues related to the publicly-held ELAPP preserves bordering the development site.
The rezoning was initiated about 18 months ago and once was rejected by a hearing officer. County staff reviewers have found the project as now proposed “approvable,” with several conditions.
…Ruskin History Center
“The first sixteen feet of Ruskin’s History Center,” an exhibit of artifacts and photographs from the community’s ancient and modern historical past in two display cases, have been relocated.
The display was moved last week to the lobby of Fifth Third Bank at the corner of U.S. 41 and 11th Avenue N.W. said Fred Jacobsen, who initiated the fledging community history exhibit about a year ago. The display had been located in the SunTrust Bank lobby but its management recently advised “the exhibit no longer fit the bank’s corporate image,” Jacobsen said. Fifth Third’s management, however, welcomed the community history display, deeming it “appropriate for their community-oriented bank,” he added.
The small, two-case exhibit totaling 16 feet in length is the beginning of an eventual Ruskin History Center, Jacobsen noted, which is envisioned in long range planning as part of a local headquarters housing cultural aspects of the community.
…Apollo Beach Canals
Now that Hillsborough’s Board of County Commissioners has approved the manual of instructions and samples for waterfront homeowners interested in forming MSBUs (municipal services benefit units) to facilitate dredging their boating canals, Apollo Beach residents are seriously considering the approach, according to Martin Montalvo, project manager.
Montalvo said this week he has received three inquiries from AB homeowners whose properties abut the canals where their boats are docked. These residents are exploring the possibilities of applying the MSBU concept in their neighborhoods whereby the county fronts the monies required to clear the canals of years of accumulated silt. The expenditures then are repaid by homeowners over a period of years on an annual basis.
Since commissioners approved the manual about five weeks ago, one neighborhood of waterfront homeowners in another part of the county has formally started the process leading to formation of a canal-dredging MSBU, he added. An engineering consultant to assist the project is expected to be onboard within 90 days.
©2009 Melody Jameson
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