By: Michelle Caceres
The original Buckhorn Estates homeowners’ association president Lynea D’Angelo is coordinating volunteers to canvas the homes in and around her neighborhood with doorknobs and yard signs.
She’s not running for public office.
D’Angelo lives to the east of a parcel of land that is in the rezoning process and is part of the opposition who says the rezoning is not an approriate use for the property.
“We need to get the word out about this,” she said.
The 19.25-acre parcel, currently an open field and located east of Lithia-Pinecrest Rd. between Brooker and Valrico Rds. It is currently zoned ASC-1, meaning the property can be used for either agricultural purposes or for a housing development with a maximum of one single-family home per acre. The property owners, GLH Enterprises, L.L.C., are hoping to rezone the property as PD, a planned development.
Neighbhorhoods abutting the property include the original Buckhorn Estates, Chelsea Woods, Lithia Oaks, Brooker Trace, Buckhorn Manor, High Point Estates, Oakwood Ravine and Buckhorn Gold Club Estates.
Hundreds of resident attended two public meetings at Bloomingdale Library to relay their apprehension about the project. Concerns raised include the potential negative impact on traffic patterns, safety issues and stormwater drainage, which could create flooding, erosion and sinkholes.
A zoning hearing master meeting will be held on Monday, September 21st at 6 p.m. at the County Center at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. Representatives of the transportation, planning, stormwater and growth management departments will relay their recommendations on whether the project should proceed. The meeting is open to the public.
“We’d like anybody who’s concerned about zoning in Brandon to attend because an issue like this one could affect anyone who lives next to an open field,” said D’Angelo.
She encourages anyone concerned about this issue to email or call their county commissioner.
For more information email D’Angelo at lynea.dangelo2@verizon.net or call her at 661-8397.
PHOTO: Citizens attended a public meeting at Bloomingdale Library to air their concerns about a rezoning application.
