What’s Happening With Morris Bridge Rd? 

 Tampa City Council Denies Proposal To Allow New Development On The East Side Of Morris Bridge Rd. 

Research by Joel Provenzano 

The blue outline above represents the city limits of the City of Tampa. The portion outlined in purple is the property that was proposed for new development that was unanimously voted down by the Tampa City Council on Nov. 30. (Map Source: City of Tampa; modified by Neighborhood News) 

 When Cory Lake Isles first began developing in the late 1980s, the only entrance to that now-built-out community was off Morris Bridge Rd. — at that time a little-known, little-used, two-lane arterial roadway that connected to Fletcher Ave. and I-75, four miles south of the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. exit off I-75, which turned north towards (and continuing past) the Pasco County line. 

It wasn’t until several years later, when Cory Lake Isles developer Gene Thomason was able to get a new entrance to his fledgling community off Cross Creek Blvd., that home sales in Cory Lake Isles really began in earnest. Until then, Morris Bridge Rd. was — pun intended — a bridge too far for most of the people who wanted to move into the suddenly burgeoning community that first began being called “New Tampa” in the mid-1990s. 

But, while it took about another decade for any significant new development along Morris Bridge Rd. to take hold, the huge K-Bar Ranch development started with the Easton Park subdivision just north of Pride Elementary. Today, K-Bar/Easton Park is the only community in the entire City of Tampa experiencing significant growth. 

To that end, on Nov. 30, District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera and his fellow City Council members unanimously voted down a proposed comprehensive plan amendment for 28.36 total acres in two parcels (see map) on the east side of Morris Bridge Rd. (property that was annexed into the city in 2007), that would have allowed for up to 43 new single-family homes (and more) to be built across Morris Bridge Rd. from an undeveloped portion of the Easton Park subdivision. 

“My constituents who live in K-Bar Ranch, Easton Park and Cory Lake Isles all tell me that Tampa shouldn’t allow any additional development along Morris Bridge Road,” Viera told me after the Nov. 30 public hearing. “They all say, ‘Morris Bridge is full,’ and I definitely agree with that.” 

Since the City of Tampa annexed (in 2007), for the first time ever, property previously located in unincorporated Hillsborough County, east of Morris Bridge Rd., no property owners in that area had ever requested to build new residential units or commercial buildings in that area. 

That changed on Nov. 30, when representatives for Ike and Yvonne Okeke, who own two parcels totalling 28.36 acres on the east side of Morris Bridge Rd. (across from a currently undeveloped portion of the Easton Park subdivision of K-Bar Ranch), requested Amendment #TA/CPA 23-19) to the City of Tampa’s Comprehensive Plan that, if approved, would have allowed the property to change from its Rural Estate-10 & Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Adopted Future Land Use designation to Suburban Mixed Use-3 (which allows for up to three dwelling units per acre) and ESA. 

Considering that there are only about 14.36 acres of developable land on the site, without the Plan Amendment, the property owners can only build one dwelling unit — or 40,000 sq. ft. of non-residential uses — on the site. 

If the change had been approved, however, the property owners could have built up to 43 single-family detached and multi-family dwelling units or 156,380 total sq. ft. of both residential and non-residential uses. 

All of the property on the east side of Morris Bridge Rd. included in the 2007 annexation was originally designated as Rural Estate-5, meaning that only one dwelling unit per acre would be allowed. 

However, in 2008, according to staff planner Jennifer Malone of the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission staff, who appeared at the Nov. 30 public hearing, the Comprehensive Plan was amended to further reduce the number of possible dwelling units per acre on the east side of Morris Bridge Rd. from 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres to just 1 unit per 10 acres. 

This is the property on Morris Bridge Rd. that was requested to receive a Comprehensive Land Use Plan amendment that was rejected by the Tampa City Council on Nov. 30. 

Malone confirmed that this Comprehensive Plan land use designation is the lowest future land use category in the entire City of Tampa and, in fact, the Rural Estate-10 designation was actually created by the City for these annexed properties. 

According to Malone, the land, which, to the east, is near Hillsborough River State Park and the Lower Hillsborough Wildlife Management area, is uniquely environmentally sensitive. 

In fact, Malone said, “The State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) commented that the annexed property is so unique that RE-5 wasn’t rural enough for this area,” which helped the city decide to create the RE-10 designation specifically for this area. The DCA also wanted the land use for the city property to match the one dwelling unit per 10 acres designation of the adjacent Hillsborough County property. 

Prior to the Nov. 30 hearing, the proposal to change the land use designation was first rejected by the Planning Commission staff for being “inconsistent with the Tampa Comprehensive Plan,” a conclusion shared by the City of Tampa’s own staff — due to the lack of utilities and city services within the area and lack of similar land uses on the east side of Morris Bridge Rd. — even though the property in the undeveloped portion of Easton Park directly across Morris Bridge Rd. already has the Suburban Mixed Use-3 designation that these property owners were seeking for their land. 

Malone pointed out, however, that there are “no Suburban Mixed Use-3 land uses on the east side of Morris Bridge, which has a significantly different development pattern than the west side.” 

Tampa’s Transportation Planning Organization also noted that there are no roadway capacity improvements, transportation projects or transit services planned for the area (more on this below). 

Evan Johnson with the City’s planning department, corroborated Malone’s claims: 

1) He said Morris Bridge Rd. can’t handle any additional capacity and isn’t programmed to get any larger or to offer any type of mass transit. 

2) He said the property is too environmentally sensitive and too close to Hillsborough’s rural service area to allow the change. 

3) And, “The property owners are not required to connect to city utilities but, depending upon what they end up wanting to build, they could be required to do so.” 

Also, Johnson said, “The closest possible hook-up for water would be 1,700- 2,000 feet away, in the new portion of K-Bar Ranch. And, the nearest wastewater hookup is a manhole in Easton Park that would be about a 1/4-mile from this site, and those are significant distances and could cost from several hundred thousand to a million dollars or more to build these facilities.” 

Because of all of these factors, and the significant increase in proposed density of the site, Johnson said, “We object to the change in the character (of the property) because the jump is so large.” 

David Wright, who spoke on behalf of the property owners, said that the density request was reduced from their original proposal, adding that, “We know where the wetlands are” and that the proposal took those into account. Wright claimed that the 14-1/2 acres fronting Morris Bridge Rd. “is ready for development, so all we’re really asking for is a continuation and expansion of the same Morris Bridge land use (on the west side).” Wright also acknowledged that the property owner would be responsible for making the utility connection to the site. 

Turning It Down 

District 7 City Councilman Luis Viera, whose district includes all of the city portions of New Tampa, made the motion to deny the plan amendment. The proposed change was unanimously (7-0) voted down by the Council members, after Viera said he had, “A lot of high hurdles with this proposal, including across-the-board negative comments from both the Planning Commission and City staff.” 

Viera also noted that even though the property on both sides of Morris Bridge Rd. in this area is city property, the roadway itself is a county road, “and my understanding is that it can’t be expanded, because of its environmental designation…and it is just packed at the seams right now, which is one of the top things I hear from my constituents.” 

He added that another big issue he has are the emergency response times by Tampa Fire Rescue in K-Bar Ranch, as well as, “the mosque, the church and the Sikh house of worship, all on Morris Bridge Rd. I see this as a size-36 waist trying on size-32 pants and I can’t see supporting this proposal.” 

But, What About Two Rivers? 

Even though the east side of Morris Bridge Rd. is clearly environmentally sensitive, a little to the north of the Pasco County line, the road is currently being widened to accommodate the new 3,405-acre Two Rivers development, which is planned to include 6,400 new residential units, 1.3-million-sq.-ft. of office and industrial space and 630,000 sq.- ft. of retail space, plus three new schools, a golf course and numerous other amenities. 

The second phase of Two Rivers actually extends south of the Pasco County line and the development is certain to bring much more traffic to Morris Bridge Rd., so the hope here is that something can be done to widen Morris Bridge Rd. south of the county line, too. 

 

Metropolitan Ministries Tent At St. James Church Is A 20-Year Holiday Tradition 

The Metropolitan Ministries Donation Tent at St. James United Methodist Church on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa Palms will accept food, gift, cash and other donations to help people in need between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every day until Tuesday, December 21. 

For 20 years, St. James United Methodist Church in Tampa Palms has opened a satellite tent of Metropolitan Ministries to collect donations of food and toys for families whose struggles are magnified at this time of year. 

The tent provides a convenient way for New Tampa residents to provide donations that directly impact people in the Tampa Bay area who would otherwise not have a holiday meal or gifts. 

The tent officially opened this year on Nov. 5, in advance of Thanksgiving, with a ceremony led by St. James’ Lead Pastor, Tony Fotsch. It closed between Thanksgiving and Dec. 3, and is now open to accept donations every day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., through Tuesday, December 21. 

“While the tent is primarily a way to give to those in our community who benefit from the donations of food and toys,” says Pastor Fotsch, “we often hear from our volunteers that it is a blessing for them to be a part of this, and we believe that those who provide the generous gifts are positively affected, as well.” 

The tent makes it easy for locals to drive through the parking lot and simply drop off any goods they would like to donate, without ever leaving their cars. 

Unwrapped toys for any kids, ages newborn to 18, are gratefully accepted. Items for teenagers are especially needed. For gift ideas, visit metro-min.org/holiday-central. 

Food items also are needed to make a complete “Box of Hope.” A complete box includes turkey, ham or chicken, cereal, canned yams, bagged or boxed stuffing, cranberry sauce, bagged or canned beans, soup, rice, boxed or canned potatoes, boxed macaroni & cheese, gravy packet or cans, dessert mix, canned fruit and canned vegetables. 

People can drop off any or all items on the list at the tent, where volunteers sort donations into a complete box that is prepared for a family to enjoy for Christmas (since Thanksgiving is now over). 

Volunteers also are needed to accept donations, sort them and load them up to be delivered to the main Metropolitan Ministries tent in downtown Tampa, where families who have been referred from agencies who help those in need come to pick up the food and choose gifts for their children. 

Gift cards and cash donations also are graciously accepted. 

Last year alone, the New Tampa tent at St. James Church collected a total of 507 turkeys and hams, plus an additional 19,459 pounds of food, to make 989 “Boxes of Hope.” It also received 2,171 toys and $645 in gift cards. 

“It’s a testament to our community that people give so generously,” says Pastor Fotsch. 

At the church, Melissa Ewen, who serves as director of fellowship and special connections, coordinates the New Tampa tent logistics and serves as St. James’ liaison to Metropolitan Ministries. 

“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Metro Ministries,” says Ewen, who explains that it fits with the church’s mission to serve the spiritual, emotional and social needs of its members and the greater Tampa area, including its vulnerable populations. “We’re so grateful for this opportunity to come together to make a difference in our community during this holiday season.” 

For more information about how to donate or volunteer, please contact the church by emailing info@stjamestampa.org or visit StJamesTampa.org.state. 

City Of Tampa To Host Hanukkah Celebration Tomorrow At New Tampa Rec Center!

District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera says that, “Before last year, New Tampa never had its own (city-hosted) Christmas tree event. Last year, I sought to have both a Christmas and Hanukkah event on the same day.” This year, the city held its Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 27 and is hosting a Hanukkah event on Monday, December 11, 6:30 p.m., also at the New Tampa Recreation Center (17302 Commerce Park Blvd.). 

“This is all part of the efforts I have been undertaking since 2016 to continue to have an increased connection between our city government and New Tampa,” Viera says. “It is important that we get the same dignity and respect as all other parts of the city have.” 

At the Christmas event (l.-r. in photo, above), State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, Viera and his fellow City Council member Lynn Hurtak, Heather Erickson and Tony Mulkey of the Tampa Parks & Rec Dept. and Tampa Palms resident and the event’s M.C. Tracy Falkowitz were all on hand for the Christmas tree lighting and festivities (photos below). 

As for the Hanukkah event on Dec. 11, it’s entirely possible that some of you may not receive this issue — or may not read it that quickly, even if you do receive it on time — before that event is held, but Viera says that he wants to make sure that people know his #1 concern for that event is public safety. 

“We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration of this holiday and hearing from community members on what Hanukkah means to them at this time,” Viera says. “I am acutely aware of the sentiments and feelings of our American Jewish brothers and sisters in this time of increased and immoral anti-Semitism, so we will have security on hand for this event.” 

Regents Park Dr. & Pebble Creek Dr. Resurfacing Nears Completion 

Research by Joel Provenzano 

A portion of Regents Park Dr. that has been resurfaced. 

For many months now, the residents of New Tampa’s Pebble Creek subdivision have had to deal with the ongoing resurfacing of the community’s two main thoroughfares — Regents Park Dr. and Pebble Creek Dr. 

The portion of Regents Park Dr. near BBD Blvd. where the Roadway Resurfacing signs are located are the only portions of the roadway not yet resurfaced. 

As of the last few weeks, however, all but about 0.2 miles of the 2.3-mile stretch of the circular Regents Park Dr. — from its northern Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. terminus to its southern BBD connection — have been resurfaced, with only about 0.1 mile at each terminus of the roadway closest to BBD now completed. 

Likewise, all but a couple of hundred feet — again, the portion closest to BBD — of Pebble Creek Dr. also has been completed. 

According to Chris Wilkerson, a senior media relations strategist with Hillsborough County, the Pebble Creek Roadway Resurfacing project represents 4.78 total lane miles of the county’s 285 total lane miles and $1.995 million of the $35-million Roadway Pavement Preservation plan of county-maintained roads approved by the county commissioners in 2021. 

Although most of the actual repaving has been completed, Wilkerson says the remaining work on this project includes paving entrances, stripping and signage, tree planting and the installation of traffic beacons and that the anticipated completion of everything, minus the traffic beacons, is early December 2023. 

The cones shown above are now gone & the patches shown are now covered 

“There is a long lead time on the traffic beacons,” he adds, however, “so final completion will be early spring 2024.” 

The project also includes brand new bike lanes in the sections of the roads that are wide enough. Public works officials say that in sections where there isn’t room, there may be shared road markings for bicyclists. 

Although it has taken a while, the county has done a great job of resurfacing these two main roadways in Pebble Creek. If it’s been a while since you visited the community, it’s worth taking a drive to check out how much better the two roads are now. 

For more information about this and other county projects, visit HillsboroughCounty.org. 

Tampa Fire Rescue Firefighters Teach Fire Safety To Primrose School Students 

Firefighters from Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 20 captivated Primrose School at Tampa Palms students with their fire safety presentation during National Fire Prevention Week. (All photos provided by Primrose School at Tampa Palms)

In the U.S., National Fire Prevention Week was first proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925, and nearly 100 years later, it’s still recognized and celebrated. 

Fire Prevention Week was the backdrop for preschoolers at the Primrose School of Tampa Palms to receive some of their first lessons in fire safety. 

The firefighters from Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 20, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just south of I-75, visited the school to teach kids important lessons. 

The preschoolers learned what the Fire Rescue department does, what equipment firefighters use and the importance of their uniforms. The firefighters also demonstrated how to “stop, drop, and roll” in case of a fire. 

And, perhaps most fun of all for the kids was that they were able to hold the fire hose and even go inside the fire truck. 

The Tampa Fire Rescue Department provides education as an important part of its community services. 

If your school or community organization wants to request a presentation or visit a fire station, start online at Tampa.gov/fire-rescue-public-education/contact-us. 

The Primrose School students and their teachers clearly enjoyed their time learning about fire safety.