Options Unveiled For Lithia Pinecrest/Lumsden Intersection

By Michelle Caceres

The Hillsborough County Public Works Department revealed three possible plans to
improve traffic flow at the intersection of Lithia Pinecrest, Lumsden, Bell Shoals and
Durant roads at a public information meeting in July.The meeting was held at Bell
Shoals Baptist Church. Officials explained to more than 100 residents the need for,
and how they will select, improvements to the intersection. After reviewing each of
the plans, the public was asked to share their comments, which will be evaluated
before the final plan is approved.All options include adding traffic separators, bike
lanes, sidewalks, drainage and traffic signal improvements.Ryan Weathers said that
as owner of three homes in the affected area, he has a vested interest in the
project. He worries that traffic will increase significantly on Hummingbird Ln. after
drivers are no longer able to make a left-hand turn from Bell Shoals Rd. onto Lithia
Pinecrest Rd. He owns two homes on Hummingbird Ln. The driveway of his third
house is right on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and left-hand turns will not be possible from
that house after a concrete median is installed.“I think there’s some more thinking
they’re going to have to do on this,” he said.Business owner Ken Arena’s office is
located at 912 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in the Five Point Center. A concrete median in the
middle of the road will prevent his northbound customers from making a left-hand
turn into the complex. “We need a safe but structured ingress/egress for patrons
arriving from both directions on Lithia Pinecrest Road,” he said.Project Manager Ben
Kniesly said the meeting shows the county has done its due diligence. His favorite
option is number three, offering dual signal controlled eastbound right-turn lanes
from Lumsden Rd. onto Lithia-Pinecrest Rd. Despite being the most expensive, he
says the option has less social impact.Still, he said, some people may have to
change their driving patterns.“It may be less convenient some of the time, but
safety will be improved all of the time,” he said. The final design is expected to be
selected in early 2010, with construction commencing in mid-2011.To share your
comments, e-mail them to Principal Project Manager Frank Scerbo, P.E., at
fscerbo@ch2m.com prior to Tuesday, July 21. For more information about the
project, go to www.hillsboroughcounty.org/publicworks/ or contact Kniesly at 307-
1758.

Caption:

Three options were unveiled at a public meeting to alleviate traffic problems at the
intersection of Lithia Pinecrest and Lumsden roads.

Residents Say No To Pasture Rezoning

By Michelle Caceres
More than 100 residents overflowed the meeting room at Bloomingdale Regional
Library to express their concerns about an application submitted to rezone a parcel
of land near their homes.Currently cows graze on the property, which was formerly
an orange grove. The property’s owner has visions of a complex brimming with
professional offices, retail space, commercial live/work units and stand-alone
businesses, such as a bank or childcare center.Residents say, “No way”.The 19.25-
acre parcel, located east of Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., between Brooker and Valrico
Roads., is currently zoned ASC-1, meaning the property can be used for either
agricultural purposes or for a housing development, with a maximum of one single-
family home per acre. The property owners, GLH Enterprises, L.L.C., are hoping to
rezone the property as PD, a planned development.Jim Williamson lives on
Beachwood Ln. in the Oakwood Ravine subdivision, adjacent to the property. “Dr.
Henderson is entitled to do what he wants with his land, but we don’t want this
monstrosity there, period,” he said.Lynea D’Angelo, president of the original
Buckhorn Estates homeowners’ association, lives to the east of the acreage in
question and says GLH’s proposed zoning is not an appropriate use for the property.
She worries her street will become congested with patrons of the commercial
complex.“The residents around the property are passionate about their
neighborhoods, and we’re willing to fight to protect our property values and our
safety,” she said.Project planner Michael Horner, of MDH & Associates, said the
project will significantly benefit the community and compares the plan to the make-
up of Hyde Park, an area that has developed a sense of place, with well-placed
landscaping, park benches and controlled access points. He said no retail will front
Valrico or Brooker Roads.“We want residents to keep open ears and open eyes to
this pretty novel design concept,” he said.A public hearing by the zoning hearing
master is scheduled for Monday, August 24, at 6 p.m. in the County Center, located
at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. The public is invited to attend and express their opinions at
this meeting.The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners will make the
final decision on the rezoning on Tuesday, October 13, at 9 a.m. Any citizen wishing
to speak at this meeting must file an oral argument form with the county.For more
information about the rezoning process, contact Hillsborough County Planning and
Growth Management at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/pgm/zoning/ or contact Vince
Marchetti at 229-2300.

Caption: Representatives of GLH Enterprises, L.L.C. highlight plans for land rezoning
at a meeting at the Bloomingdale Regional library.

Smaldone Wins Honorary Mayor’s Race

By Jennifer Silverstein

Longtime Brandon resident Connie Smaldone, who works at South Shore Group Real
Estate, recently won the title of Brandon Honorary Mayor by raising more than
$16,000 for three local charities. The three candidates raised a total of $22,500 for
their charities. Before the Brandon Fourth of July Parade, Smaldone was announced
the winner inside of B. Lee Elam, P.A. on the corner of Parsons Ave. and
LumsdenRd., where the parade starts every year. “It is very humbling to have that
many people step up to the plate to help me accomplish something like this,”
Smaldone said. “I am very grateful to have and to use this platform to help charities
within our community.” All of the monies raised at Smaldone’s events will benefit
the Brandon area YMCAs, All Children's Hospital Specialty Center, Brandon Guild
and A Kid’s Place. The Brandon Honorary Mayor’s race is a fundraising effort
established by The Community Roundtable, formerly The Presidents’ Roundtable,
which also coordinates the annual Brandon Fourth of July Parade. The honorary
mayor will represent his or her community at events and as a dignitary throughout
the year. Smaldone said, “My goal would be to continue what Tammy Holmberg
started with her term and to continue to raise awareness and funding for many
different charities in our community. I would also like to bring organizations together
collectively to have different events to accomplish the same.”“I would be remiss if I
did not use this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in my campaign,
the vendors, the media and, most importantly, the volunteers who gave up
countless hours and time away from their families to help achieve our goal,” she
said. “This opportunity has allowed me the ability to meet some more outstanding
people that give their heart and soul to these causes, which will, in turn, enrich my
life even more.” All monies must be raised between June 1 and July 4 of each year
with 80 percent of funds raised going to designated charities, 10 percent to the
sponsoring organization and 10 percent to The Community Roundtable.“I hope to
serve proudly and do the best for my community,” she concluded. More information
on the Brandon Honorary Mayor’s Race is also available by calling The Community
Roundtable at 661-4350 or e-mailing roundtable2008@aol.com

Caption: Brandon’s new Honorary Mayor, Connie Smaldone, riding in a convertible

in the Brandon Fourth of July Parade.

Leadership Brandon Hosts 10th Casino Night

By Jennifer Silverstein

Put on your green dealer visor, break out your deck of cards and come roll the dice
at the 10th Annual Leadership Brandon Alumni Casino Night. The annual Casino
Night is planned for Friday, August 14, from 6:30 – 11 p.m. at Center Place, located
at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B, in Brandon.Crystal Colegrove, manager for Business
and Community Development at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, said,
“Currently, we are still seeking sponsors, items for the raffle and the silent auction.”
“Games present will be: black jack, roulette, craps and a separate buy-in for a Texas
Hold’em Tournament,” she said.The Leadership Brandon Alumni Casino Night tickets
are $30 per person, with a $20 buy-in for the Texas Hold'em Tournament. The ticket
price includes: $2,500 in casino fun money, door prizes, a silent auction, hors
d'oeuvres, entertainment and a complimentary beverage.“Funds that are raised go
back to the Leadership Brandon program which will help pay for the class bus for
the year and provide scholarship(s) for those who may not be able to afford to go
through the program,” Colegrove said. “Nomination and application processes are
necessary for the Leadership program, and there is a separate process to apply for
a scholarship.”Leadership Brandon is a community leadership development
program of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to “increase
your understanding of the community and improve your ability to lead effectively,”
according to its Website. Leadership Brandon recently graduated its 2009 class, and
its 2010 class will have its opening retreat on Saturday, October 3.For more
information on the Leadership Brandon Alumni Casino Night, please call the Greater
Brandon Chamber of Commerce, located at 330 Pauls Dr., Ste. 100, in Brandon, at
689-1221 or visit www.brandonchamber.com.

Caption: Pictured above is the Leadership Brandon Alumni class of 2009. The
Leadership Brandon Alumni are hosting the 10th Annual Casino Night on Friday,
August 14, at Center Place from 6:30 – 11 p.m.