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Two Sections, 36 Pages of Community News

Valrico

on ur ad See o ge 19 Pa

C E L E B R A T I N G

September 2017 1 5

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P U B L I S H I N G

Twin Lakes Community Presents 8th Annual Art In The Park, Open To Public

P O S I T I V E

C O M M U N I T Y

Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121

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Twin Lakes in Valrico will host its 8th Annual Art In The Park on Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Art in the Park is set to take place in the beautiful Zenia Park, home of gigantic and beautiful old oak trees. Twin Lakes is located east of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. at the end of Bloomingdale Ave. The event is open and free to the community. Both artists and vendors of all kinds are encouraged to attend and share their creativity with the community. Artists and vendors can set up space anywhere within the 11 acre park. A fee of $10 is charged to non-residents to offset the cost of hosting the arts event. However, there is no charge for Twin Lakes residents. Vendors must bring all of their supplies, including table, chairs and tent (not required). Electricity is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. This is a great bargain for artists and vendors. Joanne Bialas, Chair of the Twin

Lakes Communications and Social Activities Committee (CSAC) said, “The Twin Lakes of Brandon Home Owners Association, in conjunction with Lisa Harmon of Homewood Real Estate, are putting on the 8th Annual Art in the Park. This has become one of Twin Lakes’ best social activities of the year with great participation from the neighborhood as well as the surrounding communities.” Bialas added, “In the past, we have had many different forms of art from homemade cookies to painted art to hang on your wall. We also have various food vendors and live entertainment. Each year about 50 to 60 various vendors and close to 500 people attend.” Zenia Park is a perfect venue for an art festival of this kind. It is shady and beautiful and filled with oaks that are over 100 years old. Bialas said, “As always, residents of Twin Lakes are encouraged to showcase their arts and crafts at no charge. Non-residents are also eligible to reserve a space for just $10 payable on the day of the event. Booth reservations must be made in advance by email to CSAC@tlbhoa.com.

Photo By HCSO

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy Jonathan Holt helps a young mother and her small child stay dry during a recent afternoon storm. Since the start of the school year in early August, afternoon storms have become the norm, testing students and parents during after school travel.

N E W S

BOCC Gives Green Light For New 53,000 Sq. Ft. Assisted Living Facility On Lithia Pinecrest

By Tamas Mondovics

By Kathy L. Collins

Everyone is welcome to come to Zenia Park in the community of Twin Lakes in Valrico as they host the 8th Art in the Park on Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volume 14, Issue 9 Ph: 657-2418

Photo courtesy of Hawthorn Retirement Group

A Hawthorn Retirement Group senior living facility similar to this has been approved by the BOCC to be built on Lithia Pinecrest Rd., in Valrico just north of S. Valrico Rd.

In a 5-2 vote during its regularly scheduled meeting in early August, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commission (BOCC) gave the approval for a brand new senior assisted living facility project to be built west of the intersection of Lithia Pinecrest and Valrico Roads in Valrico. The five “for” and two “against” vote of the project by Hawthorn Retirement Group, an independent and assisted living management company came on the heels of requests for denial by the city-county planning commission as well as the zoning hearing master Susan Finch, both whom expressed their conclusion that the project goes against the Brandon Community Plan. The project in question is located on a 10-acre parcel on the west of the intersection of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and Valrico Rd., between Lithia Pinecrest Rd, and Timber Knoll Dr., across from a retention pond and lift station. The facility plans to build a 53,000 sq. ft., three-story building with room for 145 suites and more than 100 parking places. Ahead of the vote, the County Planning Commission has determined that the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, HC/CPA 17-05 (proposed land use) was inconsistent with

the goals, objectives and policies of the Future of Hillsborough Comprehensive Plan for Unincorporated Hillsborough County, and resolved to forward its recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for denial. Officials in part said that the primary impact of the land use change would allow more intense uses on the property and would change the scale of potential development from suburban to more of an urban development

Continued on Page 5

In This Issue NEW PRINCIPAL .................................PG 3 CRIME BEAT .......................................PG 7 LOCAL TEEN SINGER ..........................PG 8 WALK FOR A CURE...........................PG 10

EYE ON BUSINESS...........................PG 21 CHALKLINES....................................PG 23 SPORTS CONNECTION .............PGS 30‐31