New Info Released On Controversial Townhome Project

• Each unit would be two-stories.
• Units would be built in groups of four and six.
• Units would be priced starting in the mid-$200,000 range. 
• The community would be gated.

Since news became public about the plan, residents - especially those who live in the nearby Bridges neighborhood - have voiced concerns about the development. They cite traffic, negative environmental impacts and overcrowding at area schools.

"We're respectfully asking you to deny the request," said Marty Sorrentino, a Westchase resident who spoke Monday night. "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 affects on neighboring schools. 

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

The townhouse project would feed to Davidsen Middle and potentially Westchase Elementary.

"According to Davidsen Middle School they have several hundred empty seats there," said Judy Jones, an attorney for M/I Homes, the company handling construction of the project.

A 10-foot buffer and a fence would be built between Davidsen Middle School and the development. Jones cited county approved traffic studies that stated the development would not overburden the surrounding roads.

The hearing officer is set to render a recommendation regarding the townhome project on July 16. The Hillsborough County Commission will then take up the issue at its land use meeting on Aug. 13.

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