Controversial Cemetery Plan Takes Next Step

A plan to build a cemetery on 3 acres of land owned by the St. Paul's Catholic Church in Carrollwood made an incremental step Monday night.

The rezoning case went before the Hillsborough County Zoning Master Steve Luce. Representatives for the church, located at 12708 N. Dale Mabry Highway, argued their case for why a cemetery should be located on the property. Nearby residents in opposition to the plan also made their concerns known.

The current zoning on the 3-acre lot located on the western part of the church's property already allows for cremation and mausoleums. The church must obtain a downzoning from the county in order to do in-ground burials. The cemetery would be located at the intersection of North Dale Mabry and Stall Road.

Joseph Divito, legal counsel for St. Paul's called the cemetery, "A catholic right" and "part of our Catholic Christian burial."

Divito told the hearing officer that the current property had been vacant since the inception of the parish.

"We know it's going to be developed," Divito said. "Either an assisted living facility, of 100 units or a daycare center."

"But the parish has decided to use the ground maintaining a somewhat natural setting for Catholic Christian burials," he said.

When plans emerged about the cemetery last month residents began expressing concerns about the plan, citing traffic, safety concerns and decreased property values.

"It's out of character for the surrounding area," said Carrollwood Village resident Scott Katz to the hearing officer. "They're taking advantage of an opportunity to make a lot of money."

Katz said 2,500 residents would be affected by the cemetery. More than 300 Carrollwood residents have signed a petition against the cemetery plan, he told the hearing officer. Many of them were in attendance at Monday night's meeting wearing white as a sign of solidarity.

After hearing both sides, Luce, now has 15 days to render his decision. Hillsborough County Commission will then take up the issue at its land use meeting on Aug. 13.

What are your thoughts on the cemetery plan? Tell us in the comments.