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VOLUME 6, NO. 209
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022
POTENTIAL RESIDENTIAL GROWTH NEAR GATEWAY PROJECT COMMISSION APPROVES ADDITIONAL HOUSING FOR DEVELOPMENT
BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER
The Plant City City Commission approved a proposal to allow more residences to be incorporated on property for the Future Land Use Map Amendment on Monday. The property’s developer requested to change the property’s future land use designations from one residence per acre to four residences per acre, increasing its density. This is also known as altering land use from Hillsborough County Residential-1 to Plant City Residential-4.
The property, which is in the process of being annexed into Plant City, is located east of James L. Redman Parkway, south of East Trapnell Road, west of CA Bugg Road, and north of Kilgore Road, spanning approximately 118 acres. James L. Redman Parkway is an arterial street, Trapnell Road is a collector street, while CA Bugg and Kilgore Roads are local streets in Hillsborough County. At one residence per acre, there was potential to build 117 homes and now the change will grant space for 471 homes.
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ST. MARY’S PREPARES KIDS FOR SCHOOL ONE BOOKBAG AT A TIME
CHURCH WAS AMONG MANY INSTITUTIONS TO GIVE STUDENTS NEEDED SUPPLIES
BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER
St. Mary’s Community Church was among various businesses and organizations providing students with much-need school supplies, including clothes. The church’s back-to-school event was held on Aug. 6.
St. Mary’s Community Church joined the league of organizations offering support to students heading into a new school year, providing the adequate supplies needed. The church held its event on Aug. 6 at the building adjacent to its own, and it was well attended. “The turnout was extremely well, and the good thing is that you had every race and creed that came out,” said Pastor Timothy Knighten of St. Mary’s Community Church. The church has been collaborating with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) organization for several years to make the back-to-school event a success. They distributed bookbags with school supplies, catered to high school, middle school and elementary school students. Clothing was available for kids as well, and perishable foods were handy for families. It’s become an annual charitable effort that has been helpful to families, especially those who may be disadvantaged
“(These are) very hard times right now,” Knighten said. “Sometimes you can’t look at a person and tell what they’re actually going through. We just have to offer service to our community just to be a helping hand.” The church offers assistance throughout the year by giving out food from its pantry and clothing. Members will also prepare full-course meals and deliver them to those who are homeless and homebound as well as distribute special baskets during the holidays. During the back-to-school events, students should walk away with a smile and feel confident about starting a new semester. “I think that it gives them a sense of pride and I’m hoping that this is something that they will remember, and as they grow up and mature, that they will continue the trend and continue to help others,” he said.