Hillsborough County Plans for Growth: Urban Service Area Expansion Underway

Unincorporated Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City are experiencing growth. By 2050, the county is projected to grow by *530,000 people, larger than the current population of the City of Tampa. The Board of County Commissioners has directed staff to expand the Urban Service Area as one of the ways to address this growth.

On November 15, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) tasked the Planning Commission and staff with identifying potential areas for expanding the USA boundary and exploring funding options for infrastructure. On March 6, 2024, the findings were presented, highlighting four potential areas for expansion:

1. Wimauma (Wimauma Village Residential-2 future land use)
2. Balm (Residential Planned-2 future land use)
3. Interstate 4 Corridor
4. Little Manatee South

As part of the first phase of the USA expansion, the focus will be on two of the areas: Wimauma and Balm. These regions already have future land use designations—Wimauma Village Residential-2 (WVR-2) and Residential Planned-2 (RP-2)—allowing for the consideration of more density than the usual rural standard of one unit per five acres.

What is the Urban Service Area?

The USA is a tool used to focus new development within designated areas that align with key infrastructure investments—such as water, transportation, parks, and stormwater management. This approach ensures sustainable growth while maintaining essential services.

Public Engagement Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to participate in a series of open houses and a virtual meeting to learn more about the proposed changes.

In-Person Open Houses

• Wednesday, November 13 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Saturday, November 16 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  Location: Sumner High School (Cafeteria), 10650 County Rd. 672, Riverview, FL 33579

These events are designed as interactive open houses, with various information stations and project staff available to answer questions and collect feedback. Materials will also be provided in Spanish.

Virtual Meeting

• Tuesday, November 19 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

To join the meeting: https://tinyurl.com/USABoundaryNov19

Next Steps and Future Planning

The first phase of the USA expansion will continue with additional community meetings and public hearings anticipated for the first quarter of 2025. A second phase, scheduled to begin in 2025, will focus on the Interstate 4 Corridor and the Little Manatee South area.

Stay Informed and Involved

For updates and more information, visit the project website: Urban Service Area Expansion – Plan Hillsborough. The site offers options to submit public comments, sign up for email notifications, or request a presentation for civic or homeowners associations.

*Source: Planning Commission 2050 projections as of July 2024