Land Use Hearing Officer, August 10, 2026
Votes on School enrollment expansion at 6801 Orient Road (Universal Academy of Florida)
What happened
This was a Hillsborough County Land Use Hearing Officer session (August 10, 2026) presided over by hearing officer Susan Finch, who takes evidence and issues written decisions within 15 business days rather than voting.
- Jurisdiction
- Hillsborough County, FL
- Governing body
- Advisory (makes a recommendation)
- Date
- August 10, 2026
- Decisions
- 11 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Voted
Projects in this meeting (7)
Each is its own project; some span multiple hearings8403 Seven Coast Court
Awaiting final voteSchool enrollment expansion
RecommendedWetland setback
Awaiting final voteDrive-through order box separation
Awaiting final voteAccessory structure height
Awaiting final voteWetland setback
Awaiting final voteWetland setback
Awaiting final voteFree sample: decision 1 of 11
Wetland setback variance at 601 Chastain Road
Variance 26-0967, applicant/property owner Lori Summers (contractor Shawn Jones) requesting a 24-foot encroachment into the 30-foot wetland conservation area setback (leaving 6-foot setback) for a proposed pool, concrete pavers, screen enclosure, pool equipment, and after-the-fact boat ramp, carport and gazebo present since the early 1990s. A wetland setback compensation plan was provided. Hearing closed for written decision; no vote.
- wetland setback compensation plan provided on site plan dated 5-14-2026
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
This was a Hillsborough County Land Use Hearing Officer session (August 10, 2026) presided over by hearing officer Susan Finch, who takes evidence and issues written decisions within 15 business days rather than voting.
Key Decisions (11)
Wetland setback variance at 601 Chastain Road
Wetland setback variance (26-1057)
Wetland setback variance at 1005 Willis Road
Drive-through order box separation variance on MLK Jr Blvd (Mango)
Accessory structure height variance at 3822 Ralston Road
Fence height variance at 2804 Kimmy Tree Lane, Valrico
Setback variances at 8403 Seven Coast Court
Fence and wall height variances at 4907 Troydale Road
Front yard fence variance on Dorman Road
School enrollment expansion at 6801 Orient Road (Universal Academy of Florida)
Assisted living facility addition on Memorial Highway (Country Place)
Development Activity (3)
Universal Academy of Florida enrollment expansion
Other
Country Place assisted living facility addition
Residential
Coffee shop with drive-through order box (Mango, MLK Jr Blvd)
Commercial
Market Signals (4)
Commercial Demand
A new drive-through coffee shop is proposed on high-traffic MLK…
Housing Demand
Strong demand for private K-12 education in Tampa Bay (Universal…
Commercial Demand
Multiple 10-acre rural parcels near Dorman Road were purchased in…
Infrastructure
Repeated wetland-setback and flood-zone (velocity/LIMWA) constraints on residential lots reflect…
Who Spoke (20)
On the record: the chair, 5 staff members, an attorney, 5 applicants, 2 applicant's representatives, and a witness.
Agenda scorecard
Our pre-meeting forecast, graded against the recorded voteThis season: 9 of 10 (90%) forecasts called in this county.
13914 Levinson Rd variance
1005 Willis Rd variance
E Dr variance
3822 Ralston Rd variance
2804 Kimmi Tree Ln variance
8403 Seven Coves Ct variance
4907 Troydale Rd variance
More land-use items (10)
- 18623 Dorman Rd varianceCase VAR 26-1133Other
- 6801 N Orient Rd varianceCase SU-SCH 26-0795Other
- 10515 Memorial Hwy conditional use permitCase CRH 26-0796Other
7 items with no recorded vote on this agenda
- The following dates pertain only to applications heard at the August 10, 2026 hearing…No vote recorded
- STANDING TO APPEAL AND ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE FOR VARIANCE REQUESTS AND APPEALS OF…No vote recorded
- The Land Use Hearing Officer Public Hearing for Variance Requests and Appeals of…No vote recorded
- SITE DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE REQUESTSNo vote recorded
- SIGN VARIANCE REQUESTSNo vote recorded
- VARIANCE (VAR) REQUESTSNo vote recorded
- SPECIAL USES conditional use permitNo vote recorded
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