In a July 13 report from the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, wetlands management staff found the Visions Golf LLC rezoning plan as is would “likely result in wetland impacts which have not been authorized by the executive director of the EPC.”
To receive a recommendation of approval, EPC staff recommended Visions Golf redesign its site plan to utilize the available upland areas and avoid impacts to the wetlands.
The report comes after EPC staff inspected the area proposed for development in Walden Lake on Oct. 20, 2014. Visions Golf, the owner of the Walden Lake Golf & Country Club, plans to develop one of the two 18-hole golf courses in the middle of the Walden Lake community. The Hills course has been slated for the building of 156 multi-family attached homes, 154 single-family detached homes and an assisted living facility.
In the report, the EPC extended an offer to work with the City of Plant City and Visions Golf on a plan to minimize wetland impact.
The report comes after a July 1 Hillsborough County Planning Commission report, which said the proposed plans for development within the Walden Lake community are inconsistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.
Released around the same time was a City of Plant City review of stormwater elements. The city selected Applied Sciences to assist with the review. According to the report, all stormwater information provided with the rezoning application is conceptual/preliminary in nature. Although best practices appear to have been followed, the final design of the development will have to make sure there are no adverse impacts to adjoining properties in relation to stormwater elements, such as water quality, drainage and surface water impacts.
Visions Golf is not postponing its Aug. 13 meeting with the City of Plant City to decide if the development plans will be approved or not.
