DADE CITY — When it came before county officials in January, the proposed Citrus Ridge development drew heated opposition from neighbors. Now, after opponents held a rally last week, developers are asking for an indefinite delay in order to broaden support for what would be a 358-home community.

Joel Tew, an attorney representing developer Bayshore Broadway, sent an e-mail on April 1 to zoning administrator Deborah Zampetti asking for "an indefinite continuance." The project was scheduled to be discussed at the county Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday. If approved there, the next step would be the County Commission.

"In the meantime, we intend to conduct town meetings … with interested parties to try to broaden the support for our development plan for this project, which we maintain is a good project and in the best interests of the city, the county, and area residents," Tew wrote.

Opponents say that unless the developers agree to cut the number of homes, such meetings will likely be pointless.

"I do not think the developers will get community support regarding any densities that build out any more dense than the adjacent Tank Hill area," Pat Carver said. "The density needs to transition or step down from the city into the rural area."

The property sits north of St. Joe Road. Developers originally proposed 450 homes and sought to be annexed to Dade City, but city leaders balked. They then went to the county, which also expressed concern about the density and asked developers to return with a plan for fewer homes.

Opponents have argued that the proposed density, 3.2 homes per acre, violates the county's blueprint for growth, which designates the property as a "transition area" between urban and rural development.

Lisa Buie can be reached at buie@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4604.