Efforts are underway to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with a mixed-use development at the southwest corner of Roaches Run and Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, which also is known as U.S. 41.
The request calls for changing the land use designation from commercial to planned development on approximately 35 acres.
It also calls for a text amendment to the long-range plan.
The master-planned unit development for the property is proposed to have a Land Use Equivalency Matrix (LUEM) to allow the exchange of the approved retail for the other approved land uses, according to agenda background materials.
The use of the matrix will ensure there is no increase in the project traffic with the exchange of land uses.
The requested land use change calls for allowing up to 275,000 square feet of retail, as well as these uses: office/medical office; health care-related uses; light industrial; distribution; multifamily; single-family attached residential; senior retirement/assisted living; aggregate home and public/institutional uses.
As part of its request, the applicant has agreed to establish a minimum development potential for non-residential uses along U.S. 41 to ensure non-residential uses are protected. These are not permitted to be exchanged for other uses, within the proposed LUEM.
Surrounding uses to the site are Walgreen’s to the north; a vacant office to the south; The Groves, San Jose restaurant and Publix to the east; and wetlands and agriculture to the west.
There also is an existing trail along the east side of Land O’ Lakes Blvd, extending from Tower Road to Connerton Boulevard.
The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of the requested land use change and text amendment.
The request was set for consideration on May 18 by the Pasco County Commission, which is after The Laker/Lutz News went to press. The county board has the final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.
A companion rezoning request also has been filed, which also must be considered by the planning board and also gain approval from the county board before it could take effect.
Published May 19, 2021
