A small but determined group of Lithia residents is rapidly growing into a powerful grassroots movement in its mission to protect the area’s rural character and agricultural heritage.
The organization, Preserve Rural Lithia, began as a handful of neighbors concerned about changes in their community. Today, it has grown to nearly 9,000 followers online and continues to gain traction as development proposals and zoning requests increase across the region.
“Our goal is to communicate clearly and effectively to the Hillsborough County zoning master and county commissioners our plea to keep our local community zoned Agricultural Rural,” said Lea Heyer, one of the group’s organizers. “This designation exists to protect viable long-term agricultural lands from urban and suburban encroachment.”
At the heart of the group’s efforts is the preservation of Agricultural Rural (AR) zoning, which requires a minimum of 5-acre parcels and is intended to support farming and related uses. Members said they are increasingly concerned about investors purchasing these properties, not to live on them, but to operate commercial businesses in residential agricultural areas.
“There is a larger trend than we first believed,” Heyer said. “We’re seeing business uses that don’t align with the intent of AR zoning, and that impacts the quality of life for residents and the sustainability of agricultural land.”
The group is also closely monitoring several major development proposals, including a rezoning request for approximately 190 acres along Lithia Pinecrest Road near Dorman Road. The proposal could bring up to 380 single-family homes, requiring changes to the Comprehensive Plan and shifting the land from Agricultural Rural to Residential use.
Additional proposals under review include a 121-acre land use change near County Road 39 and Old Welcome Road, as well as a commercial rezoning request for a sports training facility on Boyette Road.
While Preserve Rural Lithia members emphasize they are not opposed to growth, they advocate for what they call “the right development, in the right place, at the right time.”
The group has hosted community meetings, including a recent gathering at Thatcher Park that brought together residents and local candidates to discuss growth, zoning and the future of Lithia. Organizers said these meetings are critical as key county hearings approach.
“We need voices to speak up as loudly as possible,” Heyer said. “The more people who get involved, the stronger our community becomes.”
With momentum building and important decisions on the horizon, Preserve Rural Lithia is urging residents across the area to stay informed, attend meetings and help shape the future of their community.
To connect, visit https://preserverurallithia.org/ or email preserverurallithia@gmail.com.