Zoning Hearing Master - 2026-03-23
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Zoning Hearing Master conducted hearings on 12 applications, with notable approvals including a 50-room hotel resort at 33rd Street SE and 14th Avenue SE in Ruskin (PD25-0882), an 80,000 SF industrial warehouse on US Highway 92 in Seffner (PD25-0939), and a 2,000-unit residential expansion of Cypress Ridge PD in the Wimauma area (PD25-1386). A contentious application for 'The Yard' youth sports training facility at 18808 Boyette Rd in Lithia (PD26-0213) drew significant opposition from neighbors citing incompatibility with the semi-rural residential character, while supporters emphasized the need for youth athletic training facilities.
Key Decisions (13)
Remand Rezoning at 7814 East Elm Street
Rezoning from RSC-6MH to PD for 10 residential units (5 duplexes) on 0.91 acres. Applicant Syed Ali. Staff and Planning Commission found consistent with CMU-12 future land use allowing up to 12 units per acre.
Rezoning at 3614 Orient Rd
Standard rezoning from RDC-12 to RMC-12 for triplex development on 0.29 acres. Applicant Matthew Sparrow. One neighbor spoke in opposition citing traffic concerns on two-lane Orient Rd.
Rezoning at 10829 Albritton Rd, Lithia
Standard rezoning from AR to AS1 for 3.68 acres to bring non-conforming lot into compliance. Applicant Don Thompson. Property designated Residential 1 supporting approximately 3 dwelling units.
Show Business Overlay at 10002 LFI Street, Gibsonton
Rezoning from AS1 to AS1 with show business overlay for 0.86 acre certified legal non-conforming lot. Applicant Art Gillette. Criteria met due to presence of show business overlay to west and RSB zoning to south.
Hotel Resort at 33rd Street SE and 14th Avenue SE, Ruskin
Rezoning from AS1 to PD for 68,000 SF hotel resort with up to 50 rooms and 10,000 SF ancillary facilities on 9.66 acres. Applicant TSP Companies (David Wright). Includes 6-acre man-made lake with walking/biking path. Variation approved for 10-foot Type B buffer instead of 20-foot requirement.
Industrial Warehouse on US Highway 92, Seffner
Rezoning from CG to PD for 80,000 SF industrial warehouse (M zoning uses excluding heavy industrial) on 8.55 acres. Applicant represented by Todd Pressman. Associated with CPA 25-38 for SMU-6 future land use. Removes existing mobile home park with 27 units.
Cypress Ridge PD Expansion in Wimauma
Rezoning from PD-18-1048, AS1 and AR to new PD-25-1386 for 2,000 residential units on 634 acres. Applicant represented by William Molloy. Adds 106 acres to existing Cypress Ridge PD. Removes previously approved school site (school board had no objections). MUFASA agreement for Bishop/Westlake intersection improvements.
Multifamily at East Sly Avenue on Hillsborough River
Rezoning from ASC1 and RSC3 to PD for 47 dwelling units in two buildings on 4.98 acres. Applicant East Sly LLC represented by Jerry Diedenbach. Site includes existing boat ramp on Hillsborough River. Variation approved for 10-foot Type A buffer instead of 20-foot Type B.
Light Industrial Warehouse at Williams Rd near US 301
Rezoning from AR to PD for 80,000 SF light industrial warehouse on 6.8 acres. Applicant represented by Jake Kramer/Cynthia Spidell. Associated with CPA 25-25 for Light Industrial Plan designation. Planning Commission staff found inconsistent due to compatibility concerns with adjacent residential, but Development Services found supportable with mitigation measures.
The Yard Youth Sports Facility at 18808 Boyette Rd, Lithia
Rezoning from AR to PD for 28,750 SF recreational facility with outdoor training fields on 10 acres. Applicant Farm Athletics LLC. Both Development Services and Planning Commission staff found inconsistent with comprehensive plan due to incompatibility with semi-rural residential character. Significant community opposition from adjacent property owners citing noise, light pollution, traffic, and impacts to equestrian business. Supporters emphasized need for youth athletic training facilities.
Stormwater Addition to Dallas Bull PD
Modification to PD-01-1180 adding 2.23 acres for stormwater management to existing 150,000 SF light industrial development. Applicant represented by Cammie Corbett. Variation approved for 10-foot Type B enhanced buffer along canal instead of 20-foot Type B.
Office Development at Bloomingdale Ave and Providence Rd
Major modification to PD-23-0257 replacing approved 100-bed residential facility with 19,300 SF office use limited to 35 feet height. Applicant represented by Ryan Manassi. Variations approved for reduced buffers on west (5-foot Type A instead of 20-foot Type B) and east (10-foot Type B instead of 20-foot Type B).
Restaurant with Drive-Through at Gibsonton Dr and Alifaya Trace Blvd
Major modification to PD-15-0079 to add 4,000 SF sit-down restaurant with one drive-through lane on 1.73 acres. Applicant represented by William Molloy. Landings at Alifaya Trace HOA opposed citing traffic congestion on private road, cost sharing concerns, and queuing impacts. Staff found supportable with conditions.
Zoning Changes (10)
7814 East Elm Street, Tampa 33610
Syed Ali
3614 Orient Rd
Matthew Sparrow
10829 Albritton Rd, Lithia
Don Thompson
10002 LFI Street, Gibsonton
Art Gillette
Northeast corner of 33rd Street SE and 14th Avenue SE, Ruskin
TSP Companies (David Wright)
East US Highway 92, Seffner
Todd Pressman (representative)
Wimauma area (Cypress Ridge)
William Molloy (representative)
East Sly Ave at Hillsborough River
East Sly LLC (Jerry Diedenbach)
South of US 301, west of Williams Rd, Thonotosassa
Jake Kramer/Cynthia Spidell (representatives)
18808 Boyette Rd, Lithia
Farm Athletics LLC (Michael Brooks)
Development Activity (8)
Hotel Resort at 33rd Street SE
68,000 SF hotel with up to 50 rooms, 10,000 SF ancillary facilities including clubhouse, snack bar, swimming pool, conference rooms. 6-acre man-made lake with 8-foot walking/biking path.
Industrial Warehouse on US 92
80,000 SF warehousing, distribution, and light manufacturing. Replaces mobile home park with 27 units.
Cypress Ridge PD Expansion
2,000 residential units including bungalows, townhomes, villas, and single family on 634 acres. Removes previously approved school site.
East Sly Multifamily
47 dwelling units in two attached buildings on 4.98 acres. Maximum height 46 feet. Includes kayak access to Hillsborough River.
Light Industrial at Williams Rd
80,000 SF light industrial warehouse on 6.8 acres in Opportunity Zone.
The Yard Youth Sports Facility
28,750 SF enclosed structures for recreational uses, outdoor training/practice facilities, three practice fields on 10 acres. Retains existing single-family home.
Office at Bloomingdale and Providence
19,300 SF office building, 35 feet maximum height. Replaces previously approved 100-bed residential facility.
Restaurant at Gibsonton Dr
4,000 SF sit-down restaurant with one drive-through lane on 1.73 acres.
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
Large-scale residential developments continue in Wimauma/South Shore area with 2,000-unit Cypress Ridge expansion approved, indicating sustained demand for master-planned communities.
Commercial Demand
Multiple light industrial warehouse projects advancing along US 301 and US 92 corridors, reflecting demand for distribution and logistics space in eastern Hillsborough County.
Infrastructure
School capacity concerns easing in South Shore area - school board no longer requires dedicated school sites in new developments as other schools come online.
Sentiment
Strong community opposition to commercial/recreational uses in semi-rural Lithia area, with residents citing preservation of AR zoning and rural character as priorities.
Commercial Demand
Youth sports training facilities identified as underserved market with coaches and parents citing lack of indoor practice facilities in Fishhawk/Lithia area.
Infrastructure
Private road maintenance and cost-sharing agreements emerging as contentious issue for commercial developments accessing residential communities.