Balm / Wimauma – Urban Service Area Expansion

The proposed expansion and future land use change is the first step in preparing for future services and infrastructure needs to address the potential impacts of the proposed density/intensity.  There are several additional steps in the infrastructure planning and development process that will need to occur before any individual property is developed. 

A rezoning will need to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners, after a public hearing and public notice.  During the rezoning and/or subdivision/site development process, a more precise assessment of a development’s operational impact is conducted. Through regulatory mechanisms, such as concurrency, impacts to public services are addressed. Impact Fees/Mobility Fees are fees paid by developers to pay for the impacts of new development on public infrastructure.  Level of Service standards within the Comprehensive Plan assure that public facilities and infrastructure are in place concurrent with new development, including sewer, solid waste, stormwater, potable water, parks/recreation, and public schools.

• Utilities (Water/Sewer): The proposed expansion would have an impact and existing utility rate and fee structure will need to be reassessed to establish an appropriate structure that reflects the need for additional capacity. Private property owners will not be required to connect to public water and sewer for existing development. Tampa Bay Water is working on a new potable water pipeline to south Hillsborough County, and Hillsborough County is working on other improvements that ensure this area will have adequate potable water supply and water pressure.

• Transportation: Capacity impacts from development to the transportation network are assessed at the time of building permit application through Mobility Fees assessments.  Mobility Fees are a one-time charge on new development to pay for offsite transportation impacts of new development. In 2020, the BOCC voted to increase mobility fees to 100% of their cost.  The BOCC has directed county staff to explore options to expedite the distribution of funds collected in the expansion area back into the area impacted by the new growth.

• Emergency Services: During the rezoning process, the capacity of existing emergency services will be evaluated. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Department plans a new fire station for approximately every 18,000 residents. Fire impact fees and other funding mechanisms may be used to support necessary service expansions.

• Public Schools: This expansion will require additional schools or expansions of existing schools to accommodate this growth. The Hillsborough County School District reviews proposed developments to ensure that adequate school capacity is available or planned to accommodate new development as required by concurrency regulations.  Additionally, new development is charged a school impact fee for the cost of school sites and structures needed to accommodate students generated by the new development.