A proposal to build thousands of homes on a large rural property in northeast Hillsborough County is facing resistance from nearby residents concerned about its impact on water, wildlife, and infrastructure.

The housing development project would be located on Two Rivers Ranch, owned by the Thomas Family, across from Hillsborough River State Park along US Highway 301 in Thonotosassa. Under current zoning, the site could support just over 700 homes, but the Thomas Family is seeking approval for up to nearly 4,000.

Neighboring residents have raised multiple objections. One resident argued the property serves as an important water source and expressed concern about the strain thousands of additional households would place on the Florida Aquifer. Others cited worries about rising property taxes and the loss of the area’s rural character.

The Thomas Family’s attorney, Kami Corbett, said the proposed development represents an approach to environmental stewardship that would permanently preserve natural resources along the Hillsborough River and Blackwater Creek corridors while creating thoughtfully designed housing that honors the family’s conservation legacy.

Some residents have called for a compromise, suggesting the state could purchase portions of the land — a step the Thomas family has taken in the past — to protect the rural area while allowing for a more limited development plan.

The Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet on April 9 to decide whether to refer the application to the state for review.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Google, & X

St. Pete-Clearwater Sun: local St. Pete-Clearwater news at PIE-Sun.com