I-4 / Little Manatee South – Urban Expansion Area Planning Study

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Study Overview

This study, directed by the Board of County Commissioners, is part of Hillsborough County’s broader initiative to plan for expected population and job growth through 2050. It focuses on evaluating whether to establish Urban Expansion Areas (UEAs) in the I-4 and Little Manatee South areas. It will assess land use, infrastructure needs, and community character to develop recommendations for future planning decisions. This study is being conducted with the support of a consultant team lead by H.W. Lochner.

Little Manatee South Community Meetings

We’re kicking off the first round of public engagement for the Urban Expansion Area Planning Study, starting with the Little Manatee South area. At these meetings, Planning Commission staff and the consultant team will share information about the study and, most importantly, listen to your priorities, concerns, and vision for the future of your community.

Meetings for the I-4 Corridor study area will launch later this spring.

Events

Today
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*Please note specific dates may be subject to change.

Preliminary Work

  • November 2023
  • Board of County Commissioners request report from Staff
  • March 2024
  • Report presented and Board of County Commissioners gives direction
  • Project Website Created
  • April 2024 – September 2024
  • Staff Coordination Meetings and Data Gathering

Phase 2
I-4 Corridor/Little Manatee South

  • Spring/Summer 2025
  • Request for Proposals
  • Summer/Fall 2025
  • Study Kick-Off
  • Preparation of Existing Conditions Report and Initial Public Engagement
  • Fall – Summer 2026
  • Community Meetings
  • Presentations to County and Planning Commission
  • Preparing Land Use, Impacts and Recommendations Report
  • Summer-Fall 2026
  • Final Round of Community Meetings
  • Finalization for Reports/Recommendations
  • Presentation to County and Planning Commission

A UEA is a planning tool identified in the County’s Comprehensive Plan to help accommodate growth in a coordinated, efficient manner that considers infrastructure, housing, jobs, natural areas, and quality of life. The establishment of a UEA primarily provides future opportunity for new suburban residential development.

In March 2024, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners directed staff to study these two areas as part of the County’s growth management efforts. These areas were selected based on projected growth trends, increasing development pressures, and their strategic location.

Generally, the project boundaries within the Interstate-4 study area are:

  • North: West Sam Allen Road, Thonotosassa Road
  • East: James L. Redman Parkway, Paul Buchman Highway
  • South: West State Road 60
  • West: Tampa Executive Airport, Tampa Bypass Canal

Generally, the project boundaries within the Little Manatee South study area are:

  • North: South of Little Manatee River,
  • East: East of River Bend Drive, Interstate-75
  • South: South of Valroy Road (Hillsborough County/Manatee County line)
  • West: US-41

The goal of this planning study is to provide recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on future land use and infrastructure needs to accommodate future population and employment, if the areas were to be identified as an Urban Expansion Area. The study is not an expansion of the Urban Service Area, and the study has no effect on current land use or zoning.

The study will include demographics, housing, employment, land use, mobility, infrastructure and environmental factors using public and third-party data. Recommendations from existing plans and studies will also be reviewed and incorporated into the analysis.

The study is anticipated to take approximately 18 months. A timeline of the study is listed on the timeline tab.

There will be multiple opportunities for public input throughout the process to ensure community voices are heard in shaping future recommendations.

UEA Study Boundaries Locator Tool

Use the tool to locate properties within the study areas.

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Past Meeting Materials

Past meeting materials will be available here.

Planning Commission staff a status update of the study to the Planning Commission at the December 8, 2025 Planning Commission Regular Meeting.

December 8, 2025 – Planning Commission Video
December 8, 2025 – Presentation (PDF)

Planning Commission staff presented the contract and scope to the Planning Commission for authorization to enter into an agreement with consultant H.W. Lochner, Inc at the July 14, 2025 Planning Commission Regular Meeting.

July 14, 2025 – Planning Commission Video
July 14, 2025 – Presentation (PDF)

Planning Commission Staff presented the BOCC’s direction at the Planning Commission Regular Meeting on March 11, 2024.

March 11, 2024 – Planning Commission Presentation (Video)

On November 15, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) directed Planning Commission and County staff to provide a report on possible geographic areas that the BOCC might consider for future expansion of the existing Urban Service Area (USA) boundary and what public and private funding options exist for providing infrastructure and services commensurate with new development. On March 6, 2024, staff presented the findings of the report to the BOCC.

March 6, 2024 – BOCC Presentation (Video)

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Public Comment

We encourage engagement, please let us know what you think!

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Supporting Documents & Data

Documents

BOCC Urban Service Area Expansion Report (with attachments) Download

GIS Shapefiles

March 2024 Initial_USA_Expansion_I4_Boundary
March 2024 Initial_USA_Expansion_LMS_Boundary

Maps

Contact

Sofia Garantiva, AICP, Principal Planner, Special Area Studies
813-582-7320 | [email protected]

Andrea Papandrew, AICP, Senior Planner, Special Area Studies
813-665-1331 | [email protected]

Jay Collins, AICP, Special Area Studies Manager
813-582-7335 | [email protected]

Accessibility

Persons needing assistance reading or interpreting items in this document, free of charge, are encouraged to contact the ADA Coordinator at (813) 272-5940 or [email protected]. Plan Hillsborough (the Planning Commission, the Hillsborough TPO, and the Hillsborough River Board) cannot ensure accessibility for items produced by other agencies or organizations.

Nondiscrimination

Plan Hillsborough (the Planning Commission, Hillsborough TPO, and Hillsborough River Board) assures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, income, religion, familial status, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination or retaliation under any agency activity or program. Learn more about our commitment to nondiscrimination and diversity. For more information contact our Civil Rights Officer at (813) 946-5334 or [email protected].

Privacy

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone at (813) 272-5940. Please note that our phone system can capture a voicemail as a recording, which if emailed may also be subject to a public-records request.

Plan Hillsborough 2026