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Activists Score In Fight Over Rural Plan

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By B.C. MANION, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

KEYSTONE - After winning round one of a quest to protect the Keystone-Odessa Community Plan, activists are gearing up for round two.

Members of the Keystone Civic Association are jubilant about the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission's votes on Jan. 28 to deny requests that would have increased development potential in their community.

Stephen J. Dibbs filed two of the requests. One would remove more than 300 acres on Lutz-Lake Fern Road, west of the Suncoast Parkway, out of the Keystone-Odessa Community Plan.

Another request by Dibbs would allow a suburban level of development on 36.6 acres within the 300-plus acres tract.

Planning commissioners also rejected Tommy Shannon's request to increase the development potential on 58 acres on the north and south sides of Van Dyke Road, west of Gunn Highway.

And, they denied two requests that would have increased the potential for public water and sewer lines to be extended into the county's rural areas.

Although delighted by the planning commission's votes, Keystone activists say they are preparing for a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday before the Hillsborough County Commission, which has the final say on the proposals.

"I look to the board of county commissioners to keep our protections," said Barbara Dowling, of the Keystone Civic Association.

Tom Aderhold, president of the Keystone Civic Association, said it's imperative for the county to stand firm behind community plans.

He noted that Keystone residents weren't the only ones who turned out to the planning commission to defend the Keystone-Odessa plan. People from Balm, Riverview, Seffner and Thonotosassa attended the meeting to argue for preserving the integrity of community planning.

Allowing Dibbs to opt out of the plan would undermine community planning efforts, said Marvin Travis, a Keystone resident.

The Keystone-Odessa plan was adopted after community involvement, in concert with planners, Travis said.

"The parameters have been established, and the plan was voted on and approved by the board of county commissioners."
Dibbs bought his property in 2004, after the plan was adopted, Travis said. The property owner should have done due diligence before buying the land, he said.

Travis also applauded the planning commission's rejection of proposals to extend water and sewer into more rural areas and denial of the Shannon request.

Approving those requests would have chipped away at the plan, Travis said.

The Keystone-Odessa plan is designed to be updated periodically and shouldn't be altered in between those updates - unless there are overriding public interests, Travis said.

"We want to keep this area as rural as we can," Travis said.

There's plenty of room in Hillsborough County to accommodate development and to preserve a rural quality of life, Travis said.

"For those who enjoy the trees, enjoy looking the stars at night - this is the place for them," Travis said.

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampatrib.com.

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