A 45-acre rezoning proposal for new homes near Livingston Avenue in Lutz, a drainage easement vacation on Serene Lake Loop, and the Odessa Preserve subdivision plat all went before the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners at their Tuesday, July 21 Land Use meeting.

As of publication, the county has not posted final minutes for the meeting; vote outcomes for all items remain unconfirmed. Five other applications were continued to Tuesday, August 11.

Meritage Homes eyed 45 acres in Lutz

Meritage Homes asked to rezone 45.89 acres on Livingston Avenue, about 450 feet north of the Livingston Avenue and Victarra Circle intersection, from a mix of agricultural, planned development, and residential single-family classifications (ASC-1, PD, and RSC-2) to a new planned development. The site fell in Commissioner District 2 and the Lutz Community Plan area.

The county's Zoning Hearing Master recommended approval after a May 26 hearing. Development Services found the application approvable subject to conditions, and the Planning Commission determined it consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The item appeared on the regular agenda.

Meritage also had a separate minor modification (PRS 26-0632) for a 32.8-acre site north of Shawver Lake Drive and Curry Road in Lutz, seeking to remove a parcel from an existing planned development. That application had been continued twice, first from the May 12 meeting and then from June 9.

Lutz homeowners sought easement vacation

Alexandra and Justin Smith petitioned to vacate a 404.5-square-foot platted public drainage easement at 18335 Serene Lake Loop in Lutz to build a patio and fence. The Public Works Stormwater Department did not object, noting no county drainage infrastructure existed in the vacate area. No county departments, agencies, or utility providers raised objections, according to the agenda packet.

The Odessa Preserve Subdivision plat appeared on the consent agenda. Commissioners were asked to authorize Development Services to accept road and utility dedications to Hillsborough County as shown on the plat, located in Section 03, Township 27, Range 17.

At the June 9 meeting, commissioners approved a related Odessa-area right-of-way vacation (V23-0012, Gunn Hwy Investment LLC) on a motion by Commissioner Myers, seconded by Commissioner Cohen, to allow development of the residential subdivision. A temporary public access and drainage easement was reserved until the Odessa Preserve replat is recorded.

Five applications pushed to August 11

Five applications were continued to the August 11 meeting:

  • Cape Stone LLC (PRS 26-0480) — continued as "out of order"
  • Southcreek LLC (PRS 26-0483) — continued as "out of order"
  • Sloan Engineering Group Inc. (PRS 26-0610) — continued by the applicant as a matter of right
  • Audrey Rivera (PRS 26-0614) — continued by the applicant as a matter of right
  • Lifestyle Communities, Ltd. (PRS 26-0962) — continued by the applicant as a matter of right

Cape Stone and Southcreek had been bouncing since at least May 12, when they were first continued to June 9 and then again to July 21, according to prior meeting minutes.

What's next

The next BOCC Land Use meeting is Tuesday, August 11, at 9 a.m. at the County Center, 2nd Floor. Residents who want to comment on the five continued applications can attend in person or submit written comments before that date through the county's public participation process.