LAND - O' LAKES - Residents of central Pasco could have a new option for groceries and other shopping by next spring, according to plans recently approved by county officials.

A group of developers won approval last week to develop Tierra Del Sol Plaza, a six-parcel shopping center at the entrance to the residential subdivision of the same name on U.S. 41.

The parcels will be sold off to retail developers to build on, said Frank Valente, a member of the Riverview-based limited-liability corporation formed to develop the 23-acre site.

"All of this is under contract," Valente said. He declined to identify the retail developers or the potential tenants of the site on the south side of Sunterra Boulevard.

Construction could start early next year, Valente said.

Five of the parcels range from 1.75 acres to 2.2 acres. The sixth is more than 13 acres and has a wetland.

Tierra del Sol Plaza will be the second shopping venue in an area that has been people-rich and shopping-poor for several years. Until recently, residents of the U.S. 41 corridor had to drive to grocery stores on State Road 54.

That changed earlier this year when the developers of Connerton opened their Arbor Square shopping center at the corner of U.S. 41 and Pleasant Plains Boulevard. The plaza immediately drew customers from the surrounding subdivisions.

Valente said the plaza will be developed along the lines of Arbor Square, which lies about a mile north of Tierra del Sol.

Arbor Square is anchored by a Publix grocery store and has a variety of restaurants and small shops.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201 or kwiatrowski @tampatrib.com.