Homeowners Discover Their Homes Are Built On Former Landfill

The master-planned community of Suncoast Meadows in Land O' Lakes, Florida was built partially on a former landfill site. Home buyers were never told, and are now unsure of the value of their homes.

1 minute read

November 15, 2011, 9:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur


National developer Lennar Homes were developing a large area back in the height of the boom when the realized that the landfill on their property was larger than they expected and would impact their development area.

"But years into construction on the neighborhood, the builder discovered the landfill was bigger than it realized, and it stretched into an area slated for about 50 homes. Lennar dug up the junk and buried it under what is now a soccer field and neighborhood park," writes reporter Shannon Behnken.

Even though the land was remediated, home owners say the smell that seeps out of the land is horrendous, and their wells test positive for ammonia and methane.

"The landfill was mentioned in a brief statement tucked inside manuals provided to homeowners at closing."

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 in Tampa Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Skating rink under freeway in Bentway park in Toronto, Canada.

Montreal’s Gorilla Park Repurposes Defunct Railway Track

The park is part of a global movement to build public spaces that connect neighbors and work with local elements to serve as key parts of a city’s green infrastructure.

February 24, 2025 - The Globe and Mail

Massachusetts state capitol with gold dome in Boston, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Gov. Makes Case for Road Funding Reforms

A package of proposed bills would change the state’s road funding formula to ensure more money flows to rural areas with limited resources.

2 minutes ago - WAMC

Adult holding young child facing away from camera looking at wind turbines sillhouetted against the sunset.

Art in Action: USC Event Calls for an Urgent Green Energy Transition

The El Respiro / Respire event at USC uses a large-scale human geochoreography to demand an urgent and equitable transition to green energy, blending art, activism, and community engagement to amplify the message of climate justice.

March 5 - USC Today

Bird's eye view of half full parking lot at night.

Safe Parking Programs Help People Access Housing

The safety and stability offered by Safe Parking sites have helped 40 percent of unhoused San Diego residents who accessed these programs get into permanent housing.

March 5 - Maui Now

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.