Preserve Rural Lithia

One bad zoning change can destroy an entire rural community.

We are a small pocket community of family homes. We value the character and natural beauty of our properties and the agricultural resources entrusted to us. Many of us use our multiple acreage to grow food, raise animals, and work hard in various agricultural related businesses. We appreciate wildlife, sunrises, sunsets, star-filled nighttime skies and especially the peace that Blesses us here. We are passionate about the very things that AR zoning is intended to ensure for us, now, and in the future. We will strive to preserve the integrity of this small community for our families and our neighbors. We will guard our property values by ensuring that land use remains compatible with long-standing community zoning standards set decades ago by our Hillsborough County Government.

Purpose

To organize and manage a coordinated team representing the residents of Dorman Road, Boyette Road, and Browning Road. Our goal is to communicate clearly and effectively to the Hillsborough County Zoning Master and County Commissioners our plea to keep our local community of homes zoned Agricultural Rural (AR).

(AR) The purpose of this district is to protect viable long term agricultural lands so classified in the Comprehensive Plan from urban and suburban encroachment by encouraging agriculture and related uses on parcels of at least five (5) acres

Keep Up To Date Here

The local community in Lithia has united to stand together against the proposed zoning changes on Boyette Road.

Call to Action

Please be aware there is a scheduled rezoning hearing for 18834 Boyette Road, Sports Training Facility to gain commercial use! Feb 23, 2026.

We are urging every member of our community to contact the Hillsborough County Commissioners and express your opposition to the proposed rezoning that would allow a commercial sports business to operate on land currently zoned Agricultural Rural. This type of zoning exists to protect our quiet, low-density lifestyle, our animals, our safety, and the rural character we all moved here to enjoy. Allowing a commercial operation to override these protections sets a dangerous precedent for our entire area. Your email or message to the Commissioners can make a meaningful impact—please take a moment to share your concerns and help preserve the rural community we’ve all worked so hard to build.

The link to contact your county commissioners can be found at:

https://hcfl.gov/government/board-of-county-commissioners/contact-your-commissioner

You are able to email all seven commissioners at the same time by selecting the option available under the map:

Be sure to check the box indicating this is related to an active zoning application, and include the correct Application Number (26-0213):

Timeline

  • September 30, 2024 — The deed to the property is recorded, officially documenting the purchase of the land.
  • May 15, 2025 — Owners begin advertising sports training services on Facebook, despite the property being zoned Agricultural Rural (AR) and not permitted for commercial business use.
  • June 2, 2025 — Photos show children playing soccer on the property.
  • June 9, 2025 – This is the first publicly advertised event, with soccer sessions priced from $70 to $400.
  • Summer 2025 — Multiple sports events, sessions, and training activities take place on the property while it is still zoned AR.
  • August 14, 2025 — A Code Enforcement complaint is filed with Hillsborough County, reporting that a commercial sports business is operating on AR-zoned land.
  • September 2, 2025 — Owners submit after-the-fact building permit applications for structures already built or renovated on the property.
  • November 13, 2025 — Hillsborough County receives the owners’ rezoning application, requesting that the zoning be changed to allow the commercial sports complex to operate legally.

Based on the timeline of events, it appears the property owners began operating their sports business well before obtaining the zoning or approvals required for this type of activity. Advertising, paid training sessions, and ongoing events took place for months on land zoned Agricultural Rural, which does not permit this kind of commercial use.

Only after a Code Enforcement complaint was filed did the owners begin submitting after-the-fact permits, followed later by a rezoning request. 

Here’s How you can Help

Reach out. If you have information, suggestions, or want to get involved, please message us.

Stay informed. Follow this page for updates as the rezoning moves through the county.

Speak up. Attend hearings, submit public comments, and make your concerns known to Hillsborough County officials.

Share this information. Many neighbors have no idea this is happening. Spreading awareness is critical.

Watch for similar activities. With copy-cat businesses already appearing on Dorman Road, community awareness is our strongest defense.