Astin is a name synonymous with Plant City and its status as a leader in winter strawberry production across the country. And now, thanks to a unanimous vote by the City Commission, the Astin family has helped Plant City grow to the south by more than 162 acres.
On Dec. 11, the Commission approved the voluntary annexation of eight parcels of land owned by members of the Astin family south of Johnson Road and east of Sam Astin Road, according to city records.
The voluntary annexation is seen by some as an inevitably and a trend that could continue in the longterm as more East Hillsborough landowners request to become a part of the city. Traditionally, unincorporated county areas were de facto holding zones, regulating lands as cities expanded to meet them.Over time, many county governments have grown to become their own jurisdictions and service providers. In Plant City and many other municipalities, newly annexed land must be connected to existing city land in order to be incorporated.
“If you look a this philosophically, all of eastern Hillsborough, way down the road, are lands that are more compatible to be a part of the city,” Phil Waldron said. “They have all the infrastructure in place. Long term, it’s better to be a part of the city. If I was closer, I’d annex into the city tomorrow.”
Waldron, of Waldron Consulting Services, oversees projects involving annexations and land use and zoning designations. He is handling the annexation for the Astin family and, according to city documents, has been involved in at least nine Plant City zoning projects in the last three years.
With the county seat of Hillsborough located in downtown Tampa, Waldron said it makes more sense for the family to have its lands incorporated into the city limits where it can take advantage of city utilities and municipal services. County services have to come too far and are more used to handling city-oriented issues. Plant City leaders, Waldron said, know the areas surrounding the city better and understand the needs of its farmers more.
The Astin family has been a part of Plant City since the 1920s when Sam Astin Sr. moved to Plant City from South Georgia. Since then, the farm has grown from a few rows of strawberries to producing more than 40 million pounds of fruit each season on more than 1,200 acres of strawberry field, according to the Astin Farms website.
“Astin Farms and family is very familiar with Plant City. They’re very entrenched and rooted in the Plant City area,” Waldron said. “This is a vibrant area. You’ve got a city commission that’s very responsive and very professional. You’re dealing with people right here in your area that are part of your area.”
Now that the land has been annexed into the city, the next step will be to change the land use and zoning designations from county to city. Waldron said the applications are being processed to change the land use to residential 4 and the zoning to R1A, which would allow the land to continue operating as farm land. Currently, Waldron said, the family has no plans to develop the land, but given the transitional nature of the area, he said that could change in coming years with the possibility of residential development on the farm land.
Commissioners noted the move might seem confusing to some who are still waiting for proposed developments to come to the city’s northeast quadrant surrounding Interstate-4, where most of the city’s future growth is expected to take place. However, the move to annex the Astin properties is not a land grab, but a common-sense response to a private citizen’s request.
“I’ve heard a couple of folks ask why the city is trying to make a land grab and why we need more property on the south side of town when we have plenty on the north side,” Commissioner Nate Kilton said. “This is a voluntary annexation. People petition the city to come into the city limits for various reasons and it provides an opportunity for long term planning and growth…the city is not going out and taking land into the city limits. Folks are voluntarily coming forward and asking to be part of the city.”