New Townhomes: Have Your Say Tuesday

Westchase residents hoping to have their say on a proposal to build 220 new townhomes just off Sheldon Road will get their chance Tuesday, Aug. 13.

That’s the day Hillsborough County Commissioners will play host to a public hearing on the project during their regularly scheduled land use meeting, which starts at 9 a.m.

Thomas Holdings LLC has proposed having M/I Homes build the new community on 85 acres of land near the Bridges. While Westchase residents have raised some concerns, the proposal received a recommendation for approval from county staff earlier this summer.

"We're respectfully asking you to deny the request," said Marty Sorrentino, a Westchase resident who spoke at a June hearing on the project. "Two-hundred and twenty is definitely too dense for this community. I live on a private lake with one house per 2.5 acres."

Cynthia Mercer, a Bridges resident, voiced concerns about potential traffic created by the plan and effects on neighboring schools. 

"Sheldon Road cannot handle any more traffic," said Mercer, adding that it takes her 5 to 10 minutes already to get to Sheldon Road from her neighborhood. 

The commission’s land use meeting begins at 9 a.m. at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. It is unclear when the public hearing on this particular project will start.

What do you think about the proposal? Share your thoughts by commenting below.