Temple Terrace Council Approves Rezoning for Development

In a meeting marked by community concerns and developmental aspirations, the Temple Terrace City Council approved the first reading of a series of ordinances related to the annexation and rezoning of a 4.18-acre property, paving the way for the development of 32 single-family homes. The decision came amid discussions over traffic implications, the character of the neighborhood, and the need for affordable housing.

The central issue that dominated the meeting was the proposed development on the annexed property. Residents voiced apprehension regarding the increase in residential density, particularly the condition of Davis Road, which is showing signs of deterioration and may encounter additional strain from the development’s traffic. The council approved the first reading of the ordinance for the annexation of the property from unincorporated Hillsborough County, which included a mobile home that the applicant plans to replace with new housing units. Despite concerns from local residents about the compatibility of the proposed R9 zoning with the existing neighborhood, the council moved forward with the ordinance, considering the Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval.

Public commentary reflected significant unease about the size of the lots in the proposed R9 zoning. Residents Mary Jane Brock and Luis Gonzalez underscored the potential for increased density to exacerbate traffic congestion and affect quality of life in the neighborhood. Brock expressed fears that the elevated density would cause accessibility issues on local streets, while Gonzalez called for maintaining the current zoning designation to keep density manageable. Deliberations among council members revolved around the implications of R9 zoning, with discussions on the city’s control over actual density through the zoning process and the compatibility with the area’s comprehensive plan.

In another notable move, the council deliberated on a request to vacate a 15-foot drainage easement on Drifting Sands Road. Utilities Director Troy Trench reassured the council that the vacation of the easement would not negatively impact water flow or retention, citing the sandy soil and natural percolation of the area. After questions about the potential effects were addressed, the council approved the ordinance vacating the drainage easement.

A request to partially vacate Hyacinth Drive was also presented by City Engineer Brian McCarthy, who provided background on the petition that was initially requested in 2016. Although the council did not reach a conclusion on this matter during the meeting, the discussion highlighted the careful consideration given to the vacation of public and private streets or right-of-ways.

The issue of non-conforming structures also arose, with a resident expressing the desire to expand his garage without attaching it to the house, citing practical and aesthetic concerns. This request prompted a council discussion on zoning and conformity regulations for such expansions, although the outcome of this debate was not specified in the transcript.

Community engagement was robust, with presentations and updates from various residents and stakeholders. Nicholas Amaya and his teammates from the Temple Terrace tennis team shared their successes in the US Tennis Association junior team tennis program, thanking the city’s leadership for supporting the tennis program. Charles Lobe provided an update on a financial project and the upcoming Centennial Celebration, while residents Dave Backer and an unnamed individual addressed the council with a focus on a new bike path and THC product legalization, respectively.

The council was also informed of a 2.5 billion dollar project, with a push for dedicated funding. Dave Backer brought up concerns about the new bike path maintenance along Morris Bridge Road, and another speaker from the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance discussed a bill related to THC products, seeking support from the council.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the consent agenda, reports on grant opportunities for cultural and artistic community events, and the City Manager’s report on recent purchases.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Andy Ross
City Council Officials:
Meredith Abel, James Chambers, Gil Schisler, Alison Fernandez

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording