Planning Commission News Archive
News and announcements from The Planning Commission as well as planning news from around the region.
Florida Planning Conference sessions to feature Plan Hillsborough speakers - August 2021 – The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) will hold its annual planning conference, #FPC21, in Miami from August 31-September 3. Virtual sessions will be available for those who can’t attend. Six Plan Hillsborough speakers will be featured on four different panel sessions exploring planning for equity, public engagement, and comprehensive...
One Water receives APA Florida Award of Excellence - August 2021 – The One Water Chapter of the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan was selected for an American Planning Association (APA) Florida Award of Excellence in the Comprehensive Plan – Large Jurisdiction category. The APA Florida Project Awards program will recognize the outstanding planning projects in the State of Florida at its annual conference in...
Public engagement for the Mobility Section of the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan kicks-off in September - August 2021 – Planning Commission and Hillsborough County staff are collaborating to update the Mobility Section of the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan. The Plan, which last went through a major overhaul in 2008, is a long-range blueprint for future growth and provides policy direction on issues that affect the quality of life in the unincorporated...
BOCC and Planning Commission hold public hearings for South County Land Use Studies - August 2021 – The Wimauma Village Residential-2 (WVR-2) Future Land Use Study and Community Plan Update and the Residential Planned-2 (RP-2) Future Land Use Study have progressed to the public hearing phase. The Planning Commission heard items for both studies on July 19 and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held transmittal public hearings on...
Diego Guerra joins national advisory group for APA’s Planning Information Exchange - August 2021 – The Planning Commission’s own Diego Guerra, Planner II, was selected as an Advisory Group member for the American Planning Association’s (APA) Planning Information Exchange (PIE) webinar series. As a member of the National Advisory Group, he will lend his expertise to help the APA and the Association of State Floodplain Management (ASFPM)...
POSTPONED: FLiP Jr. youth to reveal “Our City” beautification project - Please note that we have postponed this event, and we will announce a future date soon. For inquiries, please contact Davida A. Franklin at franklind@plancom.org or 813-565-9379. July 2021 – Plan Hillsborough invites the public to the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association (THJCA) on July 31 for the final reveal of the “Our City” beautification...
Housing Section of the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan update to explore revising Affordable Housing Density Bonus - July 2021 – Establishing policies that will provide housing for all residents, regardless of socioeconomic background, is a significant factor in planning for a community. To meet the changing needs of the County, the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission is currently updating the Housing Section of the Unincorporated Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan Update (the Plan)...
Residents share thoughts on growth and development in unincorporated county area - July 2021 – Citizen and stakeholder outreach is paramount to comprehensive planning. As part of the continued updates to Hillsborough County’s Comprehensive Plan, and at the direction of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the Planning Commission enlisted HCP Associates to get statistically valid feedback from unincorporated area residents on growth, quality of life,...
Plan Hillsborough helps keep youth learning this summer - June 2021 – In April 2021, Lena Young, founder of the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association (THJCA), called upon Plan Hillsborough to share its expertise with the youth at her summer camp. Agency staff eagerly moved into action. The result is an eight-week, high-energy program designed to help young people advocate for city planning and...
Request for proposals for Commercial Locational Criteria study - June 2021 – The Planning Commission is in the process of updating the Future of Hillsborough: Comprehensive Plan for Unincorporated Hillsborough County Florida. This study will update the framework for allowing non-residential development in residential land use categories and balance the changing demands for retail and non-residential uses in residential areas based upon the continued...
An in-depth look at income inequality in Hillsborough County - June 2021 – An in-depth look at income inequality in Hillsborough County “The extent of and continuing increase in inequality in the United States greatly concerns me.” – Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury[i] Despite tremendous growth in the county’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the last 10 years (29%)[ii], household median income in Hillsborough...
Equity is on the way as Nondiscrimination Plan moves closer to completion - June 2021 – This year’s Nondiscrimination Plan update is almost complete. As of March 2021, staff finished a public engagement phase with Hillsborough County residents to identify the challenges they face accessing community elements, such as transportation options, quality housing, public engagement meetings, and to other important places in the County. The goal of this...
An update on the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan update – Solid Waste - May 2021 – Planning Commission staff is working with Hillsborough County subject matter experts to prepare updates to three sections of the plan – Coastal Management, Solid Waste, and Recreation and Open Space – as part of the April 2021 cycle of plan amendments. Learn about each section update and how to register for the...
An update on the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan update – Recreation and Open Space - May 2021 – Planning Commission staff is working with Hillsborough County subject matter experts to prepare updates to three sections of the plan – Coastal Management, Solid Waste, and Recreation and Open Space – as part of the April 2021 cycle of plan amendments. Learn about each section update and how to register for the...
Diego Guerra and Michael Rempfer present at 2021 APA National Planning Conference - May 2021 – The Planning Commission’s own Diego Guerra and Michael Rempfer presented at the APA National Planning Conference on May 5, 2021. Their session on Innovative Approaches for Comprehensive Planning discussed how to leverage technology to analyze and display large volumes of data, integrate input from multiple stakeholders, and improve communication with the public....
Hillsborough County’s economy sees 29% growth since 2010 - May 2021 – “Living and working in Tampa-Hillsborough isn’t quite like being on vacation every day, but it comes pretty close. Yes, there are theme parks and beaches and warm breezes in January. But there is also a vibrant mix of Fortune 500 companies, sassy tech start-ups, world-class health care facilities and serious educational options....
Garden Steps celebrates Earth Day in East Tampa - May 2021 – In celebration of Earth Day 2021, community members enjoyed a special gathering on April 23 at the Healthy 22nd Street Demonstration Garden in East Tampa. The Coalition of Community Gardens hosted the event which featured several local vendors and planning partners. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor also stopped by to welcome guests. During...
Meet Plan Hillsborough’s newest team members! - May 2021 – Over the past year, Plan Hillsborough welcomed five talented new team members who work to support the Planning Commission, Hillsborough MPO, and the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board. Sofia Garantiva Sofia Garantiva, AICP, recently joined the Planning Commission as a Senior Planner. Her responsibilities include special area studies and project management. Sofia...
Plan Hillsborough proves we “Love to Ride” - April 2021 – In March, Plan Hillsborough staff participated in Love to Ride’s Tampa Bay Bike Challenge along with 37 other workplaces. Bike/Walk Tampa Bay organized the event, and Plan Hillsborough placed first in its size category. With overwhelming participation, the agency also managed to outride many larger organizations. Overall, participants in the challenge rode 111,441...
BOCC extends moratorium for WVR-2 and RP-2, requests additional public meetings - April 2021 – At their March 4 and April 7 public hearings, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) heard from the community and approved the moratorium extension prohibiting new rezoning applications in the Residential Planned-2 (RP-2) and Wimauma Village Residential-2 (WVR-2) land use categories in the Balm and Wimauma Community Planning Areas. This extension is...
Three new section updates underway for Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan - April 2021 – As part of the phased approach, Planning Commission staff is working with Hillsborough County subject matter experts to prepare updates to three sections of the plan – Coastal Management, Solid Waste, and Recreation and Open Space. Beginning in May, staff will be hosting opportunities for public and stakeholder feedback on the drafts....
Garden Steps to host Earth Day celebration at Healthy 22nd Street - April 2021 – On Saturday, April 24, the Coalition of Community Gardens will host an Earth Day celebration from 11 am to 2 pm at the Healthy 22nd Street Demonstration Garden. The garden is located at 22nd Street between Chelsea St. and Osborne Ave in Tampa. This free, outdoor community event will feature representatives from...
Designing communities for health equity - March 2021 – Equity for all people and how to achieve progress in closing the gaps that fall along racial, socioeconomic, gender, and other major demographic groupings is at the heart of our Health in All Policies initiatives. Learn more about Plan Hillsborough’s efforts on Planning for Health. Watch the video Video created by B.Stellar...
Value Added Mobility Study shares strategies for funding public mobility improvements - March 2021 – Plan Hillsborough and the University of South Florida researched and compiled a review of case studies discussing value added or capture mechanisms deployed in the delivery of various transit systems. The basic premise held within value capture is the recovery of some or all of the public financing value that public infrastructure generates...
Planning Commission welcomes new Commissioners and thanks outgoing Commissioners - March 2021 – At the March 8, 2021 meeting of the Planning Commission, we welcomed new Planning Commissioner Vivienne Handy as she took her oath of office. Commissioner Handy is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) possessing over 30 years of experience in natural resource management and environmental permitting. She is also a member of...
Historical permit data reveals economic impacts on development - March 2021 – The Planning Commission maintains a database of historical permit activity from the year 2000 to the present day. Having completed our analysis of quarter four for 2020, staff has taken the opportunity to review and reflect on some historical trends over the twenty-year time frame. Generally, permit activity is currently at the...
Florida’s economy sees expanding growth - March 2021 – “Be fast, have no regrets… If you need to be right before you move, you will never win”, Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme. Undoubtedly, there have been a series of fortunate events. We now have various vaccines and mass vaccinations are underway in many countries. Mercifully, the flu...
Speed Management Action Plan wins statewide award - February 2021 – With speed being a major contributor to crash severity, last summer the MPO wrapped up a deep-dive study of speeds on the top 20 Vision Zero road segments. The study found that 14 of those high-injury roads had speed limits well above national guidelines! The Institute of Transportation Engineers, Florida/ Puerto Rico...
Tell us your story at the Planning for Equity Storytelling Forum - February 2021 – Do you struggle to access affordable housing, a quality job where you’re paid a living wage, or transportation to get from place to place? Are you a member of a federally-protected demographic group; for example, are you a person of color, low-income, LGBTQ, or have a disability? Come to the virtual Planning...
Plan Hillsborough named a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists - February 2021 – We’ve joined the movement of over 1,400 local businesses, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies across the United States in transforming the American workplace to be more welcoming to our customers and employees who bike. We know so many more of you are biking during the pandemic, and we are proud to support...
ICYMI: Info BBQ – An Entertaining Look at the History of Tampa from Saloons to Steakhouses - https://youtu.be/F-ON7yGxCnsFebruary 2021 – Andrew T. Huse, a librarian with the University of South Florida Libraries Special Collections department, took us on a historical tour of Tampa with highlights from his book From Saloons to Steak Houses: A History of Tampa for our February Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly). Watch the webinar
Planning Commission continues phased updates to the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan - February 2021 – The Unincorporated Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan is a long-range blueprint for future growth and provides policy direction on issues that affect the quality of life in our community. Last updated in 2008, our agency is pursuing updates to the Comprehensive Plan in a phased, integrated and collaborative approach. Following the recent adoption...
Environmental & Sustainability section update kicks off with public engagement - February 2021 – The Environmental and Sustainability Section, a component of the overall Unincorporated Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan update, is moving forward as part of the January cycle of plan amendments. The Environmental and Sustainability Section serves to update the Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The Section will continue to provide...
BOCC to consider extending moratorium on south county studies at upcoming public hearings - February 2021 – During the February 4, 2021 public hearing the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) continued the comprehensive plan text amendments (HC/CPA 20-11, HC/CPA 20-12 & HC/CPA 20-13) pertaining to the land use studies affecting property in and around Balm and Wimauma. The BOCC also set two public hearings to consider the extension of...
The 2020 Annual Report is out! - January 2021 – Learn about our special projects, ongoing work, and behind the scenes successes accomplished in 2020. Throughout this unprecedented time, our agency has continued to work together and collaborate with our local partner governments, citizens, stakeholders, boards, and committees in a virtual environment to ensure our communities continue to thrive. Read the Plan...
Virtual Info BBQ: An Entertaining Look at the History of Tampa from Saloons to Steak Houses - January 2021 – Join us for our next Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) on Thursday, February 4 from noon – 1:00 pm. Andrew T. Huse, a librarian with the University of South Florida Libraries Special Collections department, is our special guest speaker. He will take us on a historical tour of Tampa with highlights from...
Bridge the learning gap - December 2020 – In the December 2020 issue of the American Planning Association’s Planning Magazine, an article titled Bridge the Learner Gap featured two Plan Hillsborough planners. Melissa Dickens, AICP and Yeneka Mills were both quoted in the article sharing how a mentor can help build new skills, broaden your perspective, and take your career... Plan Hillsborough recommits to Equity with 2021 Nondiscrimination Plan - November 2020 – Throughout the course of history, racial discrimination has been evident in transportation and land use planning. In Hillsborough County, neighborhood clearing was manifested in the construction of I-275 and I-4 which were used to divide African American communities and eliminate the Central Avenue Business District. After a wave of protests for racial...
Great American Teach-In 2020 - November 2020 – On Thursday, November 19 several Plan Hillsborough staff participated in the Great American Teach-In, held virtually due to the pandemic. Our staff presented to 16 classes of high schoolers at Tampa Bay Tech on how Smart Cities technology can change transportation and encouraged them to share their feedback through the survey. Many...
Staff Spotlight: Joshua Barber - Joshua Barber | Community Planner II | Tenure: 9 months Joshua Barber is a Community Planner II with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and has been with the agency for nine months. Prior to working at the MPO, he worked for a medium-sized consulting firm in Tampa doing multimodal and transit planning for two years...
Staff Spotlight: Priya Nagaraj - Priya Nagaraj | Database Systems Technician | 3 Months Priya Nagaraj is the Database Systems Technician for our Planning Support Services Division. She will be involved in the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Improvement Program database administration and support. She will also support the access database, web development and IT for the Plan Hillsborough staff. Priya...
2020 population estimates reveal Tampa attracted more new residents in the last decade - November 2020 – The Bureau of Economics and Business Research (BEBR) recently released the highly anticipated 2020 population estimates by jurisdiction. BEBR was founded in 1930 and, amongst many other things, produces the state’s official population estimates and projections. This is essentially the “soft-opening” of the Census 2020 data release season. As we (can’t!) wait...
South County studies present proposed policy recommendations to communities - November 2020 – November 4, 5, and 7 saw a series of virtual and in-person open houses with the public in Wimauma and Balm. Attended by approximately 150 people, the meetings consisted of presentations of the study recommendations, and provided a forum for residents, business owners and other interested parties to ask questions about the...
Take the Community Resiliency Information System survey - November 2020 – Plan Hillsborough continues to work on enhancing resiliency in Hillsborough County through planning and collaboration with its local partners. Tropical Storm Eta has passed, but the 2020 hurricane season does not end until November 30. It’s not too soon to consider a plan for the next hurricane season! You can share your...
Congratulations Katrina & Jennifer! - October 2020 – Please join us in congratulating Katrina Corcoran, AICP and Jennifer Malone, AICP on their recent election to the Executive Committee of the Sun Coast Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association. Katrina is Chair-Elect and Jennifer is the Hillsborough Area Director. Katrina will become the Sun Coast Chair in...
Our meetings will continue to be accessible online - October 2020 – The Governor has not extended his executive order for virtual meetings past October. Plan Hillsborough is working out the details to allow for a quorum of our boards and committees to meet in person, socially distanced with masks. We will continue to televise and live-stream meetings online as we have since March....
Staff Spotlight: Albert Marrero - Albert Marrero | Planning Support Specialist |Tenure: 1 Year As a Planning Support Specialist, Albert intakes plan amendment applications for Unincorporated Hillsborough County and maintains and updates the supporting materials through the adoption of the amendment. In addition, he maintains and updates all county amendments on the website, is the fleet coordinator for the agency’s...
Staff Spotlight: Mariann Abrahamsen - Mariann Abrahamsen | Senior Planner | Tenure: 1 year 2 months Mariann Abrahamsen is a Senior Planner with the Strategic Planning, Environment and Research (SPEAR) team. She is currently assisting the SPEAR team with the ongoing Residential Planned-2 (RP-2) Future Land Use Study and the Unincorporated Hillsborough County Housing Element update. Prior to her career...
City of Tampa launches neighborhood commercial district planning program - TAMPA, FL (October 5, 2020) — The City of Tampa Planning Department has launched an initiative to help develop plans to enhance and preserve the quality of the City’s neighborhood commercial districts. The Neighborhood Commercial District Planning Program will involve the City working closely with neighborhood community groups to build upon and strengthen each district’s...
Staff Spotlight: Jerid McAdoo - Jerid McAdoo | Planning and Mapping Technician | Tenure: 1 year Jerid McAdoo is a Planning and Mapping Technician with the Comprehensive Plan Review Team where he assists with amendment intake through final adoption. He is currently working on the maps for two Tampa Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Studies, the Main Street and Bay-to-Bay studies. Jerid...
One Water Chapter unanimously transmitted by the BOCC - September 2020 – On August 27, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted unanimously to transmit the One Water Chapter for state and regional review, the last step in the plan amendment process prior to adoption. At this stage, state and regional agencies will provide review and comment on the document. Following this...
Meet the judges for the 38th Annual Planning & Design Awards - September 2020 – There are a few factors that make our Annual Planning & Design Awards so special. As important as the great work being done throughout Hillsborough County is the jury selected from outside of Hillsborough County who bring a wealth of planning and design experience to the jury table. Meet this year’s jury!...
Managing Lanes for Transportation Efficiency & Fairness - September 2020 – Three workshops that are free and open to the public will be held virtually in October. They are being offered by the MPO for learning about and discussing managing lanes for transportation efficiency and fairness. The featured speaker will be Todd Litman, founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute,...
Florida’s economic outlook shows promise - August 2020 – “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” — Corrie ten Boom As we face continued pandemic and bad economic news from the last three months (Q2 2020), it may help to take a longer view. Fortunately, the July Economic Estimating Conference – Florida Economy report...
Race and Real Estate: Creating a shared vision for Equitable Places in Tampa Bay - August 2020 – On Thursday, September 3rd from 8:30 am – 9:45 am, join a tapestry of top Tampa Bay real estate and land use organizations for an important conversation about race, equity, and real estate. Leading equity expert and keynote speaker, Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD, LCI, senior researcher and adjunct professor at the...
Staff Spotlight: Felicia Pulliam - Felicia Pulliam | Financial Manager | Tenure: 23 years Felicia started working at the Planning Commission in April 1997 as an Accountant I and is now the Financial Manager for the Hillsborough County Planning Commission and MPO. She creates and maintains both agency’s budgets and submits them to the county annually. She is also responsible for...
Staff Spotlight: Gena Torres - Gena Torres | Executive Planner | Tenure: 26 years Gena Torres is an Executive Planner with the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization. After graduating from the University of South Florida, she has spent the past 30 years working to make the streets of Tampa and surrounding communities safer. She has tackled the challenge of turning around...
Oblique aerial photographs reveal Tampa’s post-war urban landscape - August 2020 – Approximately 140 rarely seen geo-referenced aerial photographs are now available to researchers and the general public via a new Planning Commission story map. The Oblique Aerials Browser provides access to high-resolution Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) images documenting Tampa’s changing post-war urban landscape prior to the development of the 1960s. Many of...
Population projections in the era of COVID-19 - August 2020 – The State of Florida’s Demographic Estimating Conference recently announced that, due to the pandemic, Florida’s Population for 2025 will be 200,139 fewer people than originally projected in December of 2019. This announcement raises the thorny issue of population projections in the era of COVID-19. How can we prepare population projections in a...
Art on the Block public mural project inspires unity - July 2020 – On June 27, MPO and Planning Commission staff had the honor of participating in Mayor Jane Castor’s Art on the Block Mural Day. The City of Tampa commissioned local artists to paint five murals in neighborhoods located in West Tampa, East Tampa, Tampa Heights, Westshore, and Downtown in one day. Each of...
First Transportation Sales Surtax public hearing postponed to October 26 2020 - July 2020 – The Independent Oversight Committee (IOC) for the Transportation Sales Surtax first annual public hearing that was scheduled for August 11, 2020 has been postponed to Monday, October 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The calendar will be posted with the agenda and details on ways citizens can participate in the public hearing at...
Staff Spotlight: Caroline Charles - Caroline Charles | Community Relations Coordinator | Tenure: 11 months Caroline began her government career working in the Marketing & Publicity Office for the 35th Force Support Squadron in Misawa Air Force Base, Japan. After moving to Tampa in 2019, she started working for the Planning Commission on the Public Engagement team. One of her...
Staff Spotlight: Yassert Gonzalez - Yassert Gonzalez | Economics, Demographics, and Research Manager | Tenure: 7 months Yassert Gonzalez liked Tampa Bay so much he had to come back! Yassert started last December as the Economics, Demographics, and Research Manager. He oversees the Reference and Analytics Team. His team routinely assists the public with research questions. Yassert provides the agency...
Draft of the Gibsonton Community Profile now available for community input - July 2020 – Gibsonton residents and business owners now have access to data that may be used in supporting and justifying desired changes to their community. In late 2019, the Board of County Commissioners requested Planning Commission staff to retain a consultant for completion of the Gibsonton Community Profile (the Profile). The Profile effectively updates... Only two weeks left to submit Early Bird entries! - July 2020 – If you have been a part of a project contributing to a better quality of life in our community, we encourage you to submit your project for the 38th Annual Planning & Design Awards. Save $70 when you submit your complete Early Bird entry packet by July 31! Learn more
In case you missed it: June 2020 Info BBQ - July 2020 – USF’s Urban & Regional Planning faculty members Associate Professor Dr. Elizabeth Strom and Assistant Professor Dr. Peng Chen discussed the important topic of Cities & Mobility in a post COVID-19 world for our June Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly).
We bid a fond farewell to Michele Ogilvie as she retires from Plan Hillsborough - June 2020 – Michele Ogilvie’s first day of work at the Planning Commission was December 17, 1986. The Tampa section was very busy completing the Zoning Conformance public hearings of South Tampa, East Tampa, and notices for the North Tampa hearings, to be distributed the first week of the New Year. The agency was also...
Coordinating affordable housing and transit - June 2020 – Affordable Housing and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) are increasingly being discussed as a paired challenge facing planners for good reason. Housing and transportation represent the first and second largest expenditures for a majority of U.S. households (Center for Transit Oriented Development, 2014). According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,...
Staff Spotlight: Danny Collins - Danny Collins | Community Planner II | Tenure: 1 year Danny Collins has been with the Planning Commission for one year. His primary responsibilities are reviewing rezonings and Comprehensive Plan Amendments that are within the City of Tampa jurisdiction. He is currently working on projects for the agency’s internal Accessibility Committee in an effort to...
Staff Spotlight: Mark Hudson - Mark P. Hudson, AICP | Executive Planner | Tenure: 33 years Mark graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) in 1984. While at USF, Mark had an internship with the Planning Commission and worked on the original planning study for the Hillsborough River. After graduation, he began his professional career with the Tampa Port...
New tool: Residential permits dashboard - June 2020 – For approximately 40 years, the Planning Commission has been tracking permit activity in Hillsborough County. Alongside our annual population estimates program, the permit tracking program is one of the Planning Commission’s longest running statistical programs. With 40 years of analysis (including 20 years of spatially enabled data), the Planning Commission maintains a...
Growing interest in agrihoods - June 2020 – Developments built around food-production are increasing in popularity across the country. Known as agrihoods, they are a community centered around a working farm or community garden. As of May 2020, there are at least 90 established agrihoods in the United States and at least 27 more planned for development. The idea stems...
Industrial lands trends in Hillsborough County - June 2020 – Since 2012, Hillsborough County lost nearly 1 in 5 acres of industrial lands[i]. In response, the Planning Commission researched various strategies to ensure adequate industrial lands are available for such development. Staff conducted an analysis of industrial lands and policy approaches from other communities focusing on industrial preservation. The final report analyzes...
Call for entries for our 38th Annual Planning & Design Awards - June 2020 – The Planning Commission is proud to announce our 38th annual celebration of excellence in planning in Hillsborough County. If you have been a part of a project contributing to a better quality of life in our community, we encourage you to apply. Early bird entries are open! Visit the web page to...
Plant City Transit Study Survey - June 2020 – Plant City is one of the fastest growing areas in Hillsborough County with over 40,000 residents and is strategically located between Tampa and Lakeland. In the mid-2000s, HART and Plant City operated the Strawberry Connector service to provide circulator trips within Plant City, which ceased operation during 2008. Starting in 2012, HART...
City of Plant City: PC/CPA 20-03 and PC/CPA 20-04 map amendments - City of Plant City: PC/CPA 20-03 Adjacent Notice PC/CPA 20-03 Future Land Use Map Amendment – Southwest corner of Charlie Taylor and East Knights Griffin Roads Size: 89.96± Acres From: Mixed Use – Residential/Commercial (30.74± Acres), Residential-4 (54.68± Acres) and Natural Preservation (4.54± Acres) To: Mixed Use – Residential/Commercial Impacts: Increases the size of the...
Focusing on agency internal collaboration - May 2020 – As one of Plan Hillsborough’s Strategic Plan Strategic Priorities, Internal Agency Enhancements are primarily focused on improving internal communication across teams and between staff with different roles and responsibilities. The need for maintaining strong internal connections became even more important once the agency transitioned to a virtual work environment in March where...
Studying post COVID-19 economic impacts - Economic Outlook May 2020 So, we are moving towards reopening the country and the state. What has happened to our economy and how do we know when it’s back on track? We are glad you asked! Here, we hope to provide some guideposts to help you navigate the ocean of economic data. There are three...
Staff Spotlight: Cheryl Wilkening - Cheryl Wilkening | Administrative Assistant II | Tenure: 1 Year Cheryl Wilkening was hired as the Administrative Assistant II for the MPO on June 10, 2019. In the short time she has worked for the MPO she has helped organize two public hearings, and many workshops and committee meetings. She assisted with the GPC selection process, Long...
Staff Spotlight: Yeneka Mills - Yeneka Mills | Principal Planner | Tenure: 14 years Yeneka started at the Planning Commission as an intern in 2005 and was hired soon after as a Community Planner. In January 2016 she was promoted to Senior Planner and earlier this year she was promoted to her current position, Principal Planner. One of the highlights... Call for Entries for our 38th Annual Planning & Design Awards now open! - May 2020 – The Planning Commission is proud to announce our 38th annual celebration of excellence in planning in Hillsborough County. If you have been a part of a project contributing to a better quality of life in our community, we encourage you to apply. Early bird entries are now open! Learn more One Water Comprehensive Plan updates continue to move forward - May 2020 – Updates to the One Water Chapter, a component of the overall Unincorporated Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan update, are moving forward as part of the April cycle of plan amendments. The One Water Chapter synthesizes and modernizes the water resources language that previously lived in siloed Elements. The Chapter combines the Potable Water,...
Educational webinar opportunities May/June 2020 - May 2020 – If you are looking for educational opportunities during these unprecedented times, you may be interested in some of these transportation-oriented webinars! Topics range from partnering to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, safety analytics, increased demand for safe public space, and many others. These engaging sessions are valuable ways to provide participants with...
Missing Middle Housing was the focus of April 2020 Info BBQ - More than 50 people participated in the Planning Commission’s first virtual Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) on April 13, 2020. Our guest speakers Elizabeth Abernethy, AICP, Director of Planning and Development Services, and Derek Kilborn, Urban Planning & Historic Preservation Division Manager, shared the new zoning category allowing “Missing Middle” housing types along transit corridors...
Take advantage of webinar opportunities while staying ‘safer at home’ - April 2020 – If you are looking for something productive to do while social distancing, take a look at these educational webinars! Webinar topics range from resilience planning, collaboration on long-term regional visioning, to smart cities and emerging trends in safety, just to name a few. Robust and engaging sessions are sure to provide attendees...
FLiP 2020 is cancelled - April 2020 – Due to COVID-19, and in the interest of the safety of participating students, presentation partners, and staff, we are saddened to announce that FLiP 2020 has been cancelled. Any applications submitted this year (except current seniors) will be included for consideration for FLiP 2021. Click here to learn more about the FLiP...
Special Area Studies during COVID-19 - April 2020 – The first two weeks of March were a busy time for the Wimauma Community Plan Update, Wimauma Village Residential-2 (WVR-2) Land Use Study and Residential Planned-2 (RP-2) Land Use Study. These projects held stakeholder meetings, feedback sessions, open houses, presentations to community groups, and online surveys. With the emergence of the COVID-19...
Plan Hillsborough continues to work remotely - April 2020 – In response to Hillsborough County’s guidance over COVID-19 public health concerns, Plan Hillsborough pivoted to a completely remote work schedule on March 17 to protect the health and safety of citizens and staff. The agency was able to adapt so quickly thanks to an already established remote work policy, further modified for...
April 13th Regular meeting of the Planning Commission is cancelled; the Public Hearing for the evening of April 13th is rescheduled to May 11th at 5:30 - April 13th Regular meeting of the Planning Commission is cancelled; the Public Hearing for the evening of April 13th is rescheduled to May 11th at 5:30 View the calendar for more information.
2020 Commuter Challenge Week recap - March 2020 – Approximately half of Plan Hillsborough staff participated in our 4th Annual Commuter Challenge week using a variety of transportation modes. For those with longer commutes, transit and carpooling were the most common options. For those living a bit closer to work, walking, biking, and the new scooter-share program were used and gave...
Midtown Tampa is moving on up - March 2020 – Our February Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) participants donned hard hats for a tour of the Midtown Tampa construction site. Robert Curren, the onsite Senior Superintendent and Christina Harden, Operations Manager for the master developer for Midtown Tampa, led the tour and spoke about the history of the project, current progress, and...
Plan Hillsborough reports on Strategic Plan implementation - March 2020 – In August 2018, Plan Hillsborough adopted the 2018-2023 Plan Hillsborough Strategic Plan developed in collaboration with the agency’s three boards and staff. The five-year plan outlines near-term objectives across the agency, prioritization of resources, and strategies to enhance the multidisciplinary work of the agency. At the February Planning Commission meeting, staff shared...
Shape your community: the 2020 Census - March 2020 – As 2020 Census activities ramp up across the country, the Census Bureau, its partners, and Complete Count Committee’s (CCC) across the nation have been educating the public on the importance of civic participation in the census and how it will help shape their communities. The once-a-decade population count is required by the...
Community engagement grows for WVR-2 and RP-2 - March 2020 – The project teams for the Wimauma Village Residential & Community Character Profile (WVR-2) and Residential Planned-2 (RP-2) Land Use Study continue to engage the community in key discussions. To ensure an open and collaborative process, both have held stakeholder meetings, feedback sessions, open houses, presentations to community groups, and conducted online surveys....
2020 Commuter Challenge Week February 10-14 - February 2020 – Our Fourth Annual Commuter Challenge Week will take place February 10-14. We had so much fun last year, we thought you would love another opportunity to fall in love with your commute in preparation for Valentine’s Day! Select a new mode of transportation, other than driving alone, and invite a co-worker to...
Melissa Zornitta appointed chair of USF MURP Advisory Board - February 2020 – The University of South Florida’s (USF) Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program approached Melissa Zornitta, Planning Commission Executive Director, to be the chair of their newly convened Advisory Board. Melissa Zornitta is a big proponent of the MURP program, as Plan Hillsborough has several graduates that went on to become...
Community Studies begin in Wimauma, Gibsonton, and the RP-2 Land Use Category - February 2020 – One of the Planning Commission’s focus areas is studying planning issues at the community or neighborhood level. Three new studies are now underway in Unincorporated Hillsborough County that takes a closer look at the land use, infrastructure, and other trends happening in these areas. A community profile is being created for the... Community Vulnerability Study begins Phase 2: Mitigation Measures - February 2020 – The Community Vulnerability Study aids Hillsborough County with meeting local, state and federal planning requirements for the continuous threat of flooding and longitudinal sea level rise. The Planning Commission is assisting the County with managing this study and working with the University of South Florida’s (USF) Florida Center for Community Design and...
Garden Steps project: making stone soup - February 2020 – On January 28, County Commission Chair Lesley J. “Les” Miller Jr. was joined by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Tampa Councilman Orlando Gudes in celebrating the kick-off of the Garden Steps project, funded by a grant from the Aetna Foundation and American Public Health Association. Led by the MPO and Coalition of...
Plant City initiates new Transit Master Plan study - February 2020 – The MPO is collaborating with Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and the City of Plant City to create a Transit Master Plan for the City of Plant City. This is a short term study that will be completed by mid-summer of 2020 and will explore the feasibility of re-initiating a transit service...
Farewell to Commissioners Wilds and Willman - In December 2019, the Planning Commission bid a fond farewell to two of its Commissioners, longtime Planning Commission Vice Chair Jacqueline Wilds and Commissioner Jennifer Willman. Their vision, leadership, and commitment to continuing to improve the quality of life in Hillsborough County will be missed. We wish them both continued success. Jacqueline Wilds 2011–2019 |...
Jan 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade volunteers needed - January 2020 – Join Plan Hillsborough staff and the Vision Zero Coalition as we walk in the 31st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Monday, January 20. The parade is a great opportunity to share the Vision Zero message with East Tampa and other attendees. The parade begins at noon and we will meet...
Info BBQ Feb 2020: Tour Midtown Tampa - Wednesday, Feb. 5 | Noon Join us for our next Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) on Wednesday, February 5 at Midtown Tampa. Get a firsthand look at what Midtown will offer the community during a hard hat tour through some of the buildings and community spaces currently under construction (please wear closed-toe shoes). This mixed-use...
Gearing up for the 2020 Commuter Challenge - January 2020 – We’re gearing up for our 4th annual Commuter Challenge Week! Held every February, employees can choose to leave their cars at home and commute by bus, bike or carpool, or experience alternate transportation options other than driving alone. Who knows, they may even decide to give a scooter a try! Feel free...
The 2019 Annual Report is out! - January 2020 – Learn about our agency’s special projects, ongoing work, and behind the scenes successes we accomplished in 2019. View the 2019 Plan Hillsborough Annual Report
Mitch Thrower and Nigel Joseph reappointed - January 2020 – Mitch Thrower and Nigel Joseph were reappointed to the Planning Commission by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). They will both serve another 4 year term as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Read more about them in their bios below. Read about Mitch Thrower Read about Nigel Joseph
Wimauma Village & RP-2 projects underway - January 2020 – Staff has started working on the Wimauma Village Community Character Profile and RP-2. The Wimauma Village Community Character Profile will provide an analysis of the market and economic development trends affecting demand for new development and redevelopment in the Wimauma Village Plan Area. The Residential Planned-2 (RP-2) Land Use Study will provide...
37th Annual Planning & Design Award winners - November 2019 – For our 60th anniversary, the Planning Commission proudly congratulated the winners of the 37th Annual Planning & Design Awards at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre on October 29. Our program honoring excellence in planning in Hillsborough County is held as part of the American Planning Association’s National Community Planning Month. View this years’ award...
60th anniversary proclamation presented by Plant City - November 2019 – On Monday, October 28, Plant City Mayor Rick A. Lott and the City Commission presented the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission with a proclamation commemorating our 60th anniversary of service. Since October 1, 1959, the Planning Commission has worked with Plant City to address long-range and comprehensive planning issues facing the community....
Temporary Office relocation - November 2019 – PLEASE NOTE: The Plan Hillsborough Office will be temporarily moving to the 6th Floor of 700 East Twiggs due to required building maintenance in our County Center home. Just two blocks away, the Twiggs office will be our temporary home from November 18, 2019 through January 2020. Our phone numbers and mailing...
Ruskin community character study - November 2019 – Ruskin residents have a new tool to use in promoting community development. Strategic Planning Group, Inc. and Wade Trim were retained by the Planning Commission and Hillsborough County Economic Development Department to complete a Ruskin Community Profile report focused on Ruskin’s Downtown, College Avenue Corridor (between US41 and I-75 interchange) and South...
Terry Eagan talks 2020 Census at Café con Tampa - November 2019 – Every 10 years, America conducts a census to count all residents in the United States. With 1.2 million people currently calling Hillsborough County home, and growing fast, the 2020 Census will provide us with the valuable statistics we need to improve our local communities, our state, and our country. Terry Eagan, Librarian...
Planning Commission Chair contributes to national APA Planning Accreditation Board - November 2019 – Mitch Thrower, Chair of the Planning Commission, has served on the American Planning Association’s (APA) Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) for the past two years. The PAB is responsible for accrediting universities and colleges in North America who offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in planning. The accreditation process is based upon PAB approved...
Fond farewells October 2019 - October 2019 – This month, we’re saying goodbye to two employees at Plan Hillsborough who have been with us for a combined 65 years. Bud Whitehead, Senior Planner, and Pedro Parra, Principal Planner, have been leaders in our agency and in our community. Both will be deeply missed in their retirements. Pedro Parra | “I... Meet the judges of the 37th Annual Planning & Design Awards - October 2019 – Tasked to select award winners from an incredible pool of entries submitted this year, our jury panel of professional planners had their work cut out for them. Judges carefully read and score each submission package, then conference together to determine which projects have achieved excellence in planning, design, and execution. This year’s...
Operation Partnership: Civilian Career Day 2019 - September 2019 – We had the privilege of hosting Major Michael Chavarria, USAF, on August 16 for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Operation Partnership: Civilian Career Day. The program gives military members transitioning out of service the opportunity to spend a day with a Chamber member. Major Chavarria experienced a typical work day at...
Meet our 2019 APA FL conference speakers - Plan Hillsborough was honored to have had four staff members speak on six exciting panel sessions at the 2019 APA Florida Annual Conference, September 10 – 13, in beautiful Sandestin, Florida. Congratulations to Beth Alden | AICP, Jay Collins | AICP, Melissa Dickens | AICP, and Melissa Zornitta | AICP! 
New Planning Commission fees go into effect January 1, 2020 - September 2019 – On June 5, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution to adopt an amended fee schedule for the Planning Commission at 100% of the cost of service, effective January 1, 2020, with fee reviews occurring every three years. The new fee schedule applies only to projects in Unincorporated Hillsborough County. Revisions to the...
Find out what the buzz is about at our next Info BBQ September 2019 - September 2019 – Join us from noon-1:30p on Friday, September 27 for the Planning Commission’s next Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) at the Tampa Heights Community Garden. We’re teaming up with the Healthiest Cities Challenge Runner Up Garden Steps to find out about the importance of wild pollinators and the roles they play in our...
Collaborative water resources planning with Hillsborough County - September 2019 – Water is a significant and interconnected resource; rainwater, stormwater, surface water, groundwater, and wastewater all provide value to our community. Recognizing the interrelated nature of water, Hillsborough County is developing new programs, such as green infrastructure initiatives, to integrate the built environment’s water cycle with the natural water cycle. Additionally, Planning Commission...
What do planners do? - August 2019 – The American Planning Association Florida Chapter (APA FL) recently released three short videos describing what planners do and the benefits of APA membership. You’ll see many familiar faces featured throughout in candid interviews about how their planning careers have been enhanced by APA membership. Grab some popcorn and…check out APA FL’s three...
The Box City planning experience debuts at local summer camps - August 2019 – Plan Hillsborough staff took the Box City planning experience to summer camp at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association and Dowdell Middle School in Palm River. Each camp voted on their city’s name, Heaven and Astro World, respectively. The elementary and middle school kids learned about the importance of community planning. As their...
Staff Spotlight: Sharon Snyder - Sharon Snyder | Administrative Specialist II | Tenure: 2.5 years Sharon is extremely organized, which works out well for the number of ways she assists the public as well as planners and administrators across our agency. She’s involved in bigger projects like helping our office manager with the goal of becoming a paperless office by...
Staff Spotlight: Catherine Welsh - Catherine Welsh | GIS Project Manager | Tenure: 24 years Cathy manages all Comprehensive Plan data, analysis and mapping projects, serving the Planning Commission and each of our four client governments (Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and Hillsborough County). She coordinates with various departments and agencies to establish procedures and work schedules for numerous planning, analysis,...
FSU DURP presents shared mobility study to Planning Commission - August 2019 – Autonomous (self-driving) vehicles may change the way we travel and the urban form of our cities in the coming decades. The August Planning Commission Meeting saw the Florida State University (FSU), Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP), present a Shared Mobility Project funded in part by The Planning Commission and the Florida...
June’s Info BBQ took a deep dive into Implicit Bias with Jeffery Lorick - August 2019 – There are assumptions, stereotypes, and unintentional actions (positive or negative) we make towards others based on identity labels like race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. Because our implicit associations are stored in our subconscious, we may act on our biases without even realizing it. This special training with Jeffery Lorick,...
FLiP program recently hit the pages of Florida Planning Magazine - July 2019 – The Spring 2019 issue of the Florida Planning Magazine, a publication of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, was all about diversity and inclusion. The emphasis of the articles was on how to incorporate diversity, inclusion, and equity into the planning profession and in public engagement. We were honored to...
Staff Spotlight: Allison Yeh - Allison Yeh, AICP, LEED AP | Executive Planner & Sustainability Coordinator | Tenure: 14 years Allison manages the MPO’s Unified Planning Work Program and is the GIS and Resiliency Planning Lead. She serves as the MPO USF liaison and internship coordinator for the past eight years. She was project manager for the Resilient Tampa Bay...
Staff Spotlight: Melissa Lienhard - Melissa Lienhard, AICP | Principal Planner | Tenure: 4 years Melissa leads a team that works on consistency findings for unincorporated Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan Amendments and rezonings. We have monthly deadlines and a relatively heavy workload, both of which help keep things interesting and fast-paced. We attend weekly rezoning pre-submittal meetings and counsel members...
Last call! Take the survey by 7/28 to weigh in and be eligible for drawings! - July 2019 – Check out MPO Executive Director, Beth Alden on Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend on ABC with Roxanne Wilder talking about why it’s important to take the It’s TIME Hillsborough survey now. Listen to Beth Alden and Pedal Power Tampa’s Christine Acosta on Q105 on The Current with Roxanne Wilder (click at bottom of...
Warm welcomes - June 2019 – Over the past several months, we’ve had the opportunity to welcome great new talent to Plan Hillsborough. Left to right: Meghan D. Betourney, SPHR | Project Manager – Accountability & Employee Engagement | Meghan has Human Resources experience in both the private and public sector with her most recent experience as an HR Project Manager with the Hillsborough...
Fond farewells June 2019 - June 2019 – This month, we’re saying goodbye to two employees who’ve worked with the Planning Commission/Plan Hillsborough for a combined total of 60 years of dedicated service. Steve Griffin, Strategic Planning Initiatives Team Leader, and Beverly Daniels, Senior Planning & Zoning Tech, have been leaders in our agency and in our community. Both will...
APA Sun Coast recognizes Plan Hillsborough staff - June 2019 – Three Plan Hillsborough staff were recognized at the 2019 American Planning Association’s Florida Sun Coast Section Annual CM Event and Awards Reception. Jay Collins, AICP, volunteered for the pre-awards Law CM event titled, “You Can’t Handle the Truth! Deposition Prep for Urban Planners.” Jay participated in a voluntary deposition with guest speakers,...
An incredible group of students just FLiPped over planning! - June 2019 – On June 4 – June 7, the Planning Commission held our fourth annual Future Leaders in Planning (FLiP) student leadership development program. Designed as an opportunity to introduce Hillsborough County high school students to urban planning as a potential career, FLiP 2019 was a four-day, intensive program. A big hit with the...
It’s TIME to take a survey! (June 3 – July 28) - Let’s do better, together, as we update Hillsborough’s Long Range Transportation Plan! Hillsborough County will grow to more than two million people by 2045. No single transportation solution will solve our traffic woes as we continue to grow. We need more transportation choices and safe mobility for everyone. This is where you come in… In...
Our staff (and families) cleaned up pretty well on April 27! - May 2019 – On April 27th Plan Hillsborough staff, and family members, participated in the Great American Cleanup sponsored by Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. The team of volunteers spent their Saturday morning picking up trash along the trails, shoreline, and boat ramp at Riverhills Park in Temple Terrace. The cleanup is a call to action to create more...
Plan Hillsborough leaders selected by APA - May 2019 – Melissa Zornitta, Planning Commission Executive Director, has been appointed to serve on not one, not two, but three committees of the American Planning Association (APA) – the National Nominating Committee, the National Membership Committee, and the APA Foundation Fundraising Committee. Her tenure is through the end of 2019. Melissa Dickens, Strategic Planning...
Plan to join us for the Planning & Design Awards October 29, 2019 - The Planning Commission is proud to announce our 37th annual celebration of excellence in planning and design in Hillsborough County. Winning projects contribute to a better quality of life and serve as models to learn from and emulate. With the emphasis on the importance of great planning in our own region, our awards program is...
Community comes together to develop Ybor Vision 2020 - May 2019 – Live or work in Ybor City? Join the Ybor City Development Corporation (YCDC) in creation of the Ybor Vision 2020 Updated Vision & Strategic Action Plan. A community visioning workshop was held on May 15 at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. “We were thrilled with the incredible participation of community residents...
Plan Hillsborough’s Earth Day activities 2019 - April 2019 – To promote and encourage sustainable and resilient practices within the agency and in the community, Plan Hillsborough has been participating in green initiatives like our Commuter Challenge and the Hillsborough County recycling program. In honor of Earth Day, the agency will have its first paperless Planning Commission meeting on April 8, with...
Plan Hillsborough speakers to be featured at national APA Conference in San Francisco in April - We are proud to announce that Melissa Zornitta, AICP, and Melissa Dickens, AICP, have been selected to present on three panels at the American Planning Association’s 2019 National Planning Conference in San Francisco April 13 – 16.
Congratulations, Commissioner Kress! - April 2019 – The International Downtown Association (IDA) recently selected 30 of the industry’s brightest professionals for the 2019 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) program. Karen Kress, AICP, Tampa Downtown Parternship’s Director of Transportation and Planning, was selected among other candidates from three countries and 17 provinces or states. She will attend a week-long experiential program June...
Try FLiP 2019! - April 2019 – Know a high school student who may want to explore planning as a potential career? Through a series of speakers, interactive planning activities, and tours on foot, bus, streetcar, and boat, our Future Leaders in Planning, FLiP 2019, summer student leadership development program June 4 – 7 will provide: The chance to network with and...
March Info BBQ tour of THE PEARL - April 2019 – Thank you to John Schilling and Bowen Arnold of DDA Development for an inspiring walking tour of THE PEARL. This incredible property is centered in one of the most historically rich neighborhoods in Tampa, the Heights. Just footsteps from the Riverwalk, Armature Works, indie coffee shops, biking, kayaking, and easy access to the Pirate...
Garden Steps is runner up in the #HealthiestCitiesChallenge - March 2019 – On February 12, the Hillsborough MPO’s Garden Steps initiative was named as one of just eight runners up in the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge. The Challenge is a collaboration between the Aetna Foundation, the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) empowering 50 small to midsize...2018 Facts & Figures are here - March 2019 – Did you know that 42% of workers in Hillsborough County live outside of our county? The Facts & Figures report is a compilation of demographic and vital statistics for Hillsborough County and the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace. The 2018 report highlights: Families & Housing | Health | Facts...
#CommuterChallenge19 sparks commuting love connections - March 2019 – During the week of February 11-15, commuters were encouraged to try an old favorite or a new mode of transportation, other than driving alone, to get to work. More than half of Plan Hillsborough staff and many local commuters participated for a trip, a day, or the entire week. Since most commuters...
FSU DURP student design studio project comes to Hillsborough March 7 & 8 - March 2019 – The Planning Commission is proud to support the FSU Department of Urban & Regional Planning studio project to develop urban design templates and policies for shared mobility. Four context areas – from urban to rural – are being studied to increase transportation service, accessibility, and efficiency, while integrating autonomous vehicle technology and... Next Info BBQ | Walking tour with the developers of The Pearl - March 2019 – Please join the Planning Commission for our March 27 Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) – a walking tour of THE PEARL with the developers – DDA Development. We’ll meet up at Armature Works – Heights Public Market – at 1910 N Ola Avenue at 11:30a, where you can enjoy your own brown bag...
E Fowler Avenue Land Use Study gets feedback from property owners - March 2019 – On February 7, property owners adjacent to East Fowler Avenue were invited to provide comments on Planning Commission findings in the East Fowler Avenue Land Use Study discussing future land use options along the corridor from I-275 to the Bypass Canal just east of I-75. Participants at the meeting included four of... Try FLiP 2019! - March 2019 – Know a high school student who may want to explore planning as a potential career? Through a series of speakers, interactive planning activities, and tours on foot, bus, streetcar, and boat, our Future Leaders in Planning, FLiP 2019, summer student leadership development program June 4 – 7 will provide: The chance to...
Executive Director delivers Award to USF President Judy Genshaft - February 2019 – At our 36th Annual Planning & Design Awards in October, our Executive Director recognized USF System President Judy Genshaft for the tremendous impact she has made planning for growth and economic development on campus and throughout our community. Unfortunately, Dr. Genshaft could not receive her award in person that evening. On January...
Measuring our performance - February 2019 – The Measures of Effectiveness annual report provides an update on the agency’s Performance Measures and Strategic Plan goals. The report summarizes the agency’s implementation of the four main goals: – Outreach and education – Customer service – Proactive planning – Agency performance measures View our 2018 Measures of Effectiveness report Try FLiP 2019! - February 2019 – Know a high school student who may want to explore planning as a potential career? Through a series of speakers, interactive planning activities, and tours on foot, bus, streetcar, and boat, our Future Leaders in Planning, FLiP 2019, summer student leadership development program June 4 – 7 will provide: The chance to network with and learn from planning...
Plan Hillsborough | 2018 Annual Report - February 2019 – Our 2018 Annual Report highlights many projects and accomplishments our staff has achieved. We continue to strive to exemplify our agency values – Integrity and Trust | Innovation | Transparency | Stewardship | Servant Leadership – as we serve the Planning Commission, Hillsborough MPO, Hillsborough River Board, and the jurisdictions and citizens of Tampa, Temple...
Take the Commuter Challenge with us February 11 – 15! - February 2019 – Take the Commuter Challenge with us February 11 – 15! Fall in love with your commute! Try an old favorite or a new mode of transportation, other than driving alone, during the week of February 11 – 15. Participate for a trip, a day, or the entire week. Share your experience(s) with us...
Plan Hillsborough, City of Tampa & HART land FTA TOD Grant - January 2019 – HART, in collaboration with Plan Hillsborough and the City of Tampa, has been awarded an $800,000 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) pilot program grant to evaluate ties between Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Land Use policies to help cultivate TOD along designated transit emphasis corridors. Transit-oriented development can include a mix of commercial,...
Diego Guerra receives APA Florida Minority Scholarship - January 2019 – Congratulations to Diego Guerra on receiving an APA Florida Minority Scholarship! Diego, a former U.S. Marine (Thank you for your service!), is currently enrolled in USF’s Master of Urban and Regional Planning program. Studying to pursue a career as an environmental/ resiliency planner, he’s currently reviewing legislation, such as the Stafford Act,...
Putting a resiliency plan in place - January 2019 – By Melissa Zornitta, AICP, as published in the December 2018 issue of the American Planning Association’s Planning Magazine Recent extreme weather events have alerted planning commissioners all over the U.S. – and the world – to the need for resilience, a term that is becoming a key element of the planning vocabulary....
Affordable housing availability not keeping up with growth - January 2019 – Hillsborough County is expecting 714,000 more people and 454,000 more jobs by 2045. Since at least 2013, we’ve added the equivalent of one (city of) Temple Terrace every year, that’s more than 28,000 people every year. There has been very little multi-family construction occurring in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. Under the existing land use...
Dr. Scott Paine on The HADOC Method for more productive discussion on polarizing issues - December 2018 – Florida League of Cities’ Director of Leadership, Development & Education, Dr. Scott Paine, took a deep dive into the difficult subject of finding common ground in a polarized world at our November 29 Info BBQ. His presentation highlighted these important guidelines: Hear | Accept | Depersonalize | Own | Care Watch the...
Industrial land use trends - December 2018 – Industrial lands were a hot topic at the November 19 Planning Commission Meeting. Trends and changes in the industrial market are an indicator of how the industrial market plays into economic development areawide. Today, 64% of industrial land holdings are in Unincorporated Hillsborough County. The City of Tampa and Plant City hold...
Welcome new Planning Commissioners and officers! - December 2018 – At our October Planning Commission meeting, Cody Powell, took his oath of office representing Hillsborough County. He is a licensed broker and Vice President of Powell Realty. He has previously served on the Hillsborough County Land Use Appeals Board and is currently a Board Member on the American Cancer Society’s Associate Board...
Looking forward to continue working with you in 2019! - December 2018 – In accordance with upcoming Hillsborough County holidays, our office will be closed: Monday | 12.24.18 | Christmas Eve Tuesday | 12.25.18 | Christmas Day Tuesday | 01.01.19 | New Year’s Day Monday | 01.21.19 | Martin Luther King Jr Day 
Congratulations to the Planning Commission’s 2018 Award winners! - November, 2018 – The Planning Commission is proud to announce the winners of our 36th Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by TECO with our marketing partner, the Tampa Bay Times. This celebration of excellence in planning and design in Hillsborough County was held on October 25 at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre. Our annual awards program aligns with the many national festivities held during...
Bring your own bag lunch to our next Info BBQ - November 29, 2018 – Bring your own bag lunch to the 18th floor of County Center from noon until 1p for our next Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) for an important conversation featuring special guest speaker Florida League of Cities Director of Leadership Development & Education, Scott C. Paine, Ph.D. Topic: Moving from Confrontation to Cooperation:...
RFP coming soon! - November, 2018 – A Request for Proposals will be posted on our web site and advertised on November 16, 2018 seeking qualified planning consultants to update the Vision Plan for the Ybor City Community Redevelopment Areas 1 and 2 of the City of Tampa. Service providers who have experience working with governmental projects in the...
Rezoning approved for multi-use project in Riverview - November, 2018 – The Planning Commission staff reviews applications for rezonings to make sure new development is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Recently, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved plans for a 35.6-acre mixed-use project at the northwest corner of US Hwy 301 and Simmons Loop that furthered the Comprehensive Plan policies about...
Please join us for these special meetings & events! - Over the next month, there are many opportunities to engage in planning for our future and working to make our streets safe for all users. We hope you’ll join us! Thursday, November 15 | 5:30p – 7p | Final Public Meeting | SouthShore Transit Study Reevaluation | Southshore Regional Service Center, 410 30th Street SE, Ruskin Citizens are...
3rd Regional Transportation Leadership Workshop | October 29 - October 2018 – The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA), in partnership with area Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the Florida Department of Transportation, will host the Regional Transportation Leadership Workshop #3 for MPOs to highlight best practices and collaboration in the planning and delivery of transportation services. The event will be held from 9... Proposed plan amendments indicate future land use trends - October 2018 – Comprehensive Plan Amendments, proposed from 2013 to 2018, have been analyzed to identify trends in the type and location of changes to the Future Land Use Map. The Future Land Use Map is adopted as part of the Comprehensive Plan and outlines what level of development can occur in certain areas and...
Thank you to our judges! - October 2018 – Tasked to select award winners from the incredible pool of entries submitted this year in ten broad categories, our jury panel of professional planners from outside of Hillsborough County had their work cut out for them. Judges carefully read and score each submission package, then conference together to determine which projects have... Tickets on sale now through October 21! - The Planning Commission’s 36th Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by TECO Thursday, October 25, 2018 | Winners Announced T Pepin’s Hospitality Centre | 4121 N 50th Street | Tampa Johnson Pope Reception | 6:15 p.m. (cash bar with tray passed hors d’oeuvres) Dinner & Presentation of Awards by host Brendan McLaughlin | 7:15 p.m....
Plan Hillsborough staff mentors local students and area professionals - October 2018 – Plan Hillsborough continues to provide guidance to the local planning community through the APA Florida Sun Coast Section’s mentoring initiatives. The program supports USF Master of Urban and Regional Planning students, as well as mid-career planners looking to move into leadership. So far, staff has grown these initiatives and mentored 19 coach-protege...
Meet our new team members! - October 2018 – Plan Hillsborough is excited to welcome four new team members who will be working to support the Planning Commission, Hillsborough MPO, and the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board. Allow us to introduce you to: Mary Kelley Hoppe | Planning Outreach Manager Vishaka Shiva Raman | Community Planner Kierra Zuokemefa | Community Planner...
Proposed Amendment to County Comprehensive Plan to support Economic Development - September 2018 – Planning Commission and Hillsborough County Economic Development Department staff have revised the current objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan to better support the County’s economic development objectives. Specifically, the County would like to ensure an adequate supply of land to support quality, job-generating activity in order to provide for long-term economic...
Meet our 2018/19 USF Fellows - September 2018 – Plan Hillsborough continues to support the University of South Florida’s Masters in Urban & Regional Planning (MURP) program through two fellowships each year. These talented students contribute their fresh perspectives and talents to many projects while gaining hands-on planning experience. Prior to accepting this fellowship, Aaron Young excelled in his studies in Sociology...
Plan Hillsborough Strategic Plan sets agency priorities - September 2018 – During their July and August meetings, the Planning Commission, Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Hillsborough River Board unanimously approved the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. Plan Hillsborough developed the Strategic Plan with joint direction from the three boards, identifying seven consolidated areas of focus and directing resources and staff priorities over the next five years.... Eight sessions at APA Florida conference to feature Plan Hillsborough speakers - September 2018 – Ahoy! The Treasure Coast Section will be hosting the APA Florida Annual Conference in Downtown West Palm Beach September 11-14, 2018 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Hundreds of planners from across the state will be honing their planning craft through a variety of interactive tours, lectures, panel discussions, training, and...
Initial findings on the East Rural Agricultural Reserve - August 2018 – Based on direction from the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), Planning Commission staff recently completed a draft analysis of the adopted Goals, Objectives and Policies related to the rural area and agricultural uses in the Comprehensive Plan. The study area is generally south of SR 60, north of the Manatee County Line,...
36th Annual Planning and Design Awards call for entries - Summer 2018 – The Planning Commission is proud to announce our 36th annual celebration of excellence in planning in Hillsborough County. This awards program is a well-respected tradition honoring projects contributing to a better quality of life in our community and serving as models to learn from and emulate. See Call for Entries for details...
Try our new interactive Plan Amendment Map Application - July 2018 – Looking for information on recent amendments to the Comprehensive Plans? Plan Hillsborough has introduced an additional tool to make researching Plan Amendments easier. When visiting PlanHillsborough.org, you’ll find the Plan Amendment Interactive Maps by looking on the main toolbar under Plans – Plan Amendments – and then under each jurisdiction. This application...
North Alexander Street study has residents talking - June 2018 – A recent open house on the future of the North Alexander Street corridor in Plant City was held onMay 23, 2018 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Plant City Hall. Of the nearly 50 attendees, one-third resided within Plant City, with the remainder living in unincorporated Hillsborough County. Nearly all who attended... ICYM our last Info BBQ… - June 2018 – On May 11, the Planning Commission hosted our Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) on Community Engagement. Watch a recording of this interactive session focused on key principles leading to successful online community engagement. Topics included: Global trends in online engagement; the role of social media for planning in today’s world; target setting...
Clarification on recent Planning Commission Action - Tampa, FL. As covered by recent news stories: Back to the future? Hillsborough Planning Commission okays filling lagoon for townhomes | http://tbo.com Developer wants to fill in part of the North Rocky Point Water Basin to build new homes | https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-tampa/developer-wants-to-fill-in-part-of-the-north-rocky-point-water-basin-to-build-new-homes Is dredging making a comeback in Tampa Bay? The Hillsborough County Planning Commission recently...
Join the Planning Commission for our May 11 Info BBQ! - May 2018 – Please join the Planning Commission for our next Info BBQ in the Plan Hillsborough Room on the 18th floor of County Center on Friday, May 11 at noon. Community engagement is a vital component of any planning project. This interactive session focuses on key principles that lead to successful online community engagement....
Open House on May 23 for the Alexander St Extension Study - May 2018 – Completed in 2014, the Alexander Street “extension” located within the northeastern quadrant of Plant City connects the existing roadway terminus at Interstate-4 and traverses north to Paul Buchman Highway. Properties along this two-mile new roadway are being studied in relation to the Northeast Plant City Area Master Plan and the Imagine 2040:...
APA National Conference to feature Plan Hillsborough speakers - April 2018 – The American Planning Association’s 2018 National Planning Conference is the premier planning event of the year. NPC18 will bring together the hottest topics, the latest tools, and the leading voices with something new to say. Thousands of planners, planning commissioners, appointed and elected officials, and students will come together in New Orleans...
Thank you to our 2017/18 USF Fellows - April 2018 – Plan Hillsborough continues to support the University of South Florida’s Masters in Urban & Regional Planning program through two fellowships each year. By familiarizing emerging planners with community priorities, these talented students contribute their knowledge and skills and are encouraged to remain in Hillsborough County after graduation. This year we’ve enjoyed working...
Application deadline for FLiP 2018 is April 18 - April 2018 – Designed as an opportunity for high school students to explore urban planning as a potential career, Future Leaders in Planning (FLiP) offers a broad exposure to planning from public and private sector perspectives across many fields. In its second year, the annual FLiP program expanded from nine to eighteen students and from a two-day...Parklet Guidelines: creating big impacts with small open spaces - April 2018 – What is a Parklet? How can we implement that in our community? The Planning Commission staff has been assisting the Tampa Downtown Partnership, the Channel District Community Alliance, and the Ybor City Development Corporation to develop guidelines for a parklet and parklet café program. Parklets and parklet cafés are an extension of...
Where is poverty concentrated in Hillsborough County? - March 2018 – This month, Planning Commission staff completed an analysis on poverty in Hillsborough County. The report identifies those neighborhoods where more than 40% of the residents live in poverty and how those neighborhoods have changed over time. Analysis of approximately 40 years of Census Data, from the 1970 decennial census to the 2011-2016...
In the Zone - February 2018 – Approval of a recent rezoning illustrates how new development can further the goals of the City of Tampa Comprehensive Plan. On December 14, 2017, Tampa City Council approved an air-conditioned self-storage facility in Seminole Heights through the Planned Development (PD) rezoning process. The PD process requires a site plan to be reviewed...
Last Year’s Winners – A Celebration of Great Planning & Design! - The Planning Commission is proud to announce the winners of our 31st Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by Tampa Electric. The event was held on October 17 at Maestro’s at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. As the American Planning Association celebrates Community Planning Month and Great Places in America, we are proud...
Imagine 2040 : Part 2 - Imagine 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan The Long Range Transportation Plan directs federal and state dollars towards projects we value. It looks out at least 20 years and must be updated every five years. The MPO adopted the Imagine 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan on November 12, 2014. But the 2040 Plan is a dynamic...
City of Tampa City Council Redistricting (2018) - The Tampa City Charter, Article VIII, Section 8.03, states the incorporated city shall be redivided by recommendation and with the approval of the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission, into seven council districts, three of those districts being identical with the territorial boundaries of the city, and four districts being divisions of the entire city, each...
Planning Commissioners share their vision - On April 26, the Planning Commissioners gathered at the Saint Leo University Tampa Education Center in Channelside. A very full agenda included a quick group photo and a review of the Hillsborough County, Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City Comprehensive Plans. Other highlights of the retreat included insights from our planning partners. Eric Johnson, Director...
Berkeley Prep’s Future City Club has 2040 vision! - Coming off their big win as the first place team in the Tampa Bay Region Future City competition, students in Berkeley Preparatory School‘s Future City Club just returned from Washington, D.C., where this young team made a winning impression with the judges at the national finals. Their hard work and first place regional finish already...
Join us for an Open Space Open Forum! - Thursday, March 28 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Planning Commission Boardroom County Center, 18th floor at 601 E Kennedy Boulevard Downtown Tampa Light refreshments will be served. We want to have an open conversation about the open space and recreational use policy in the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The Future Land Use Element Policy 14.5 requires new...
Queens development hangs tough in hurricane - The new urban Arverne-by-the-Sea, one of the largest current residential developments in New York City, surprised many residents by its resilience to Hurricane Sandy. Arverne, located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens at a subway stop, is mostly complete and will eventually be home to 2,300 households. The last major section, a two-block-long mixed-use main...
MPO updates ITS Master Plan - Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are a key component in the management of traffic. From the coordination of traffic signals to video cameras and informational message signs on the interstates, ITS is used throughout Hillsborough County. An update to the Master Plan adopted in 2005 has been circulated through the MPO’s committees for review and comment....
Bus, Bike & Ped projects move ahead - New projects continue to receive funding. The MPO has recently added several projects to the Transportation Improvement Program benefiting from competitive grant applications or as a result of lower than expected bids on other projects statewide. In February, the MPO acknowledged the more than $8 million HART was awarded from two Federal Transit Administration grant...
Join us to discuss East Hillsborough Avenue - East Hillsborough Avenue, from Interstate 275 to east of 50th Street, was identified through the MPO’s Congestion Management/Crash Mitigation Process as an important multimodal corridor with persistent safety and mobility issues. In addition to serving as an essential roadway connecting two interstates, Dale Mabry Highway, and northern Pinellas County, Hillsborough Avenue will be part of...
Shimberg Gardens Dedicated - Shimberg Gardens was dedicated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 10th in Town ‘N Country. Named after the Shimberg family, brothers James H. Shimberg Sr. and Mandell “Hinks” Shimberg, the developers of Town ‘N Country beginning in 1959, these gardens are part of the Town ‘N Country Community Plan developed from 2000 to 2003....
Have you been following the Brandon Corridors project? - Have you been following the Brandon Corridors & Mixed-Use Centers pilot project? Did you take the survey? Are you interested in the results? A meeting will be held on May 17th to present the study findings to date and seek your input on the transportation and land use issues that affect the study area. For...
Plan Hillsborough planners walk the walk & more! - Plan Hillsborough, staff to the Planning Commission, Hillsborough MPO, and Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board, celebrated their first-ever Commuter Challenge Week on March 27th – March 31st. Taking the challenge to use alternatives to driving alone to commute to work, travel to off site meetings, or go to lunch, our staff got into the friendly...
Giving back at UACDC’s Paint the Town event - Who says planners don’t like getting their hands dirty? On April 21, many Plan Hillsborough staff rolled up their sleeves at Harvest Hope Park and Community Garden to pick up trash, build and paint planter boxes, plant vegetables in the garden, and more. “We celebrated Earth Day and participated in the Hillsborough Soil and Water...
FSU honors Tony LaColla as Outstanding Returning Peace Corp Volunteer - In November, as part of the 20th anniversary of the Peace Corps Masters International Program in Urban Planning, our own Tony LaColla was selected as the inaugural honoree of the Florida State University (FSU) Outstanding Returning Peace Corp Volunteer Award. Given to an FSU alum who exemplifies the goals of Peace Corps and mission of...
There’s no place like our home! - Partnering with Florida’s Largest Home Show to tell our story! The Planning Commission and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are proud to announce a public – private partnership with Florida’s Largest Home Show produced by Turner Expositions. Beginning in 2014, at each of the Turner Home Shows, there will be a super-sized interactive display featuring what...
CCC endorses Top 10 transportation initiatives for our region - In a historic meeting on March 15, the council of MPOs, known as the MPO Chairs Coordinating Committee, representing the eight counties in West Central Florida agreed on the next big things in transportation. The action came after the list of ten strategic initiatives was independently endorsed by each of the region’s MPOs. The...
Imagine 2040 Working Group says: Our community needs clear Vision! - Several rounds of questions were posed to the Imagine 2040 Working Group at its first visioning workshop held on February 12. Eager participants used hand-held electronic voting devices to express themselves. The group spoke loudly when asked: “Does this community have a clear vision for the future?” 56% voted “No” with only 16% voting “Yes.”...
Better transit to Westshore, Tampa International Airport and beyond - The Westshore business district and Tampa International Airport (TIA) could be a focus for rapid transit connections, if planned projects come to pass. These plans include FDOT’s study for a rapid transit connection from Pinellas as part of a new span for the Howard Frankland Bridge, TBARTA’s study of BRT or express buses in the...
A legacy for our community… - Parting words from Ray Chiaramonte : As I leave the Planning Commission and MPO for the next chapter in my life, it is time to reflect on the important things that happened over my 35 year career here. I have had almost every job imaginable along this journey from the bottom to the top. Starting...
Imagine 2040 Working Group grapples with future alternatives - After speaking loud and clear “our community needs clear vision” at the first Imagine 2040 workshop, the working group dug into the future alternatives that will ultimately build a clear vision for our region. The second interactive workshop kicked off one simple question… Transportation, jobs and the economy, and quality of life priorities dominated the...
National Planning Award of Excellence - On April 14, 2013, at the County Planning Division’s Annual Business Meeting, conducted at the American Planning Association (APA) National Conference in Chicago, the County Planning Division in conjunction with the National Association of County Planners presented their 2013 Project Awards. We are very proud to announce receipt of an Award of Excellence in the...
Regional Award of Honor - On March 25, 2013, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council hosted the 21st Annual Future of the Region Awards to highlight projects and programs exemplifying regionalism and to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions benefiting the regional community. The Planning Commission, Wade Trim, and Strategic Planning Group, Inc., were pleased to receive an Honorable Mention in...
International All-Star Recognition - Thanks to you, we have been chosen as a Constant Contact All Star!– So, what is Constant Contact? It’s the way we send out our ePublications, as well as most of our meeting and event notices. Each year, Constant Contact bestows the All Star Award to a select group of businesses and nonprofits who successfully leverage...
MPO awarded Resiliency Grant - The Federal HighwayAdministration (FHWA) selected the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), in collaboration with the Planning Commission, Hillsborough County, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, and the University of South Florida, to be a pilot project to assess our transportation system’s resiliency to extreme weather. The project’s purpose is to develop strategies to offset...
Speaking of awards… What happened to this year’s Annual Community Design Awards Program? - After going strong for 30 years, we felt it’s time to take the big plunge! We are pleased to announce we’ve decided to tie the knot… our annual awards program will be run as one of the many festivities during the American Planning Association‘s (APA) National Community Planning Month and celebration of Great Places in...
Try filling this prescription at your local pharmacy! - According to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), park and recreation agencies across the country are working with their local health departments and doctors to prescribe parks and recreation as a way to fight obesity and improve overall health. It seems the more we move and the more fresh air we breathe, the healthier... Location, location, location… - The New Real Estate Mantra – Location Near Public Transportation investigates how well residential properties located in proximity to fixed-guideway transit have maintained their value as compared to residential properties without transit access between 2006 and 2011 in five regions: Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The selection of these places for the...
Are You Ready for Hurricane Season? - Hurricane season starts on June 1st. Hurricanes develop in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. While the east coast of Florida is at greater risk and normally acts as a barrier for our region, a hurricane scenario that travels through the Caribbean and strikes Tampa Bay from the west could have devastating...
Leaders Work Together to Tackle Key Issues - “I’m all in,” said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn at the May 22 Workshop on Economic Development, Infrastructure, and Transportation. This Leadership Policy Group, including the Mayors from Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and the HART Chair, was invited by the the Board of County Commissioners to work together toward common economic and transportation solutions for...
32nd Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by Tampa Electric & Peoples Gas - This awards program is a well‐respected tradition honoring the very best in planning and design in Hillsborough County. Winning projects contribute to a better quality of life and serve as models to learn from and emulate in planning and design. Become a sponsor of this event! 2014 Sponsor Info Sheet 2014 Call for...
Updating our Comprehensive Plans – User Survey - The Comprehensive Plans for all the local governments in Hillsborough County are intended to guide public policy in terms of transportation, utilities, land use, recreation, housing, and other topics. These plans are currently in the process of being updated. As part of the update, the organization and content of the Comprehensive Plans for Unincorporated Hillsborough...
You’re invited to join us! - On a special walking tour of ENCORE! Bring your own brown bag lunch, and join the Planning Commission and the Sun Coast Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association for a walking tour of ENCORE! Get your groove on! Urban renewal in harmony with a vibrant past… Ray recorded here. Ella wrote...
Happy 25th Anniversary ELAPP! - The Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department of Hillsborough County celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program, also known as ELAPP, on April 11th. A host of dignitaries attended the celebration, including former Governor Bob Martinez and former Hillsborough County Jan K. Platt, after whom the County’s ELAPP program has now... Imagine 2040 launch event - Imagine 2040 : Part 2 In case you missed it, here is a little bit of what happened at our Imagine 2040 launch event held on July 10th at Tampa Bay Grand Prix. Thank you to our BPAC for providing a bike valet for this event! Take the Imagine 2040 : Part 2 survey...
Thank you for your participation! - Imagine 2040’s big numbers & big ideas! It’s Thanksgiving time, and we are so thankful for each and every one of you who participated in Imagine 2040, making this the most successful public involvement response we’ve ever had! Man using kiosk to weigh in on Imagine2040 In coming weeks, we’ll be posting more...
Thank you, Commissioner Cury! - For your legacy of leadership and fairness An era has ended at the Planning Commission as longtime member Bruce P. Cury completed his last term as a Planning Commissioner in September. First appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to a four year term from October 1999 to September 2003, Commissioner Cury served as Member-At-Large...
City of Tampa appoints ‘millennial’ - Welcome, Commissioner Benson! Appointed by the City of Tampa, Stephen Benson, AICP, CNU-A, was sworn in as the newest member of the Planning Commission at our October 14 meeting. Only 25 years old, Benson is the first member of the millennial generation to serve on the Planning Commission. Benson, a fourth generation Tampa native, spent most of his life...
Trees & trains - A video look at Downtown in 10 years Tampa Downtown Partnership hosted its Annual Meeting and Luncheon on June 13 at the Tampa Convention Center with the theme, “Downtown: Fast Forward,” a look at downtown ten years into the future. A video by the same title was featured, focusing on the voice of youth, as...
Request for Proposals : Executive Search Services - This Request for a Proposal (RFP) has been awarded to The Mercer Group. No further requests are warranted and the selection process has concluded. For further information contact Grace Sanders at sandersg@plancom.org or (813) 273-3774 ext. 334.
City of Tampa Council Redistricting - Approved unanimously by the Planning Commission! The Planning Commission is required by State and Local law to redistrict the four, single-member districts every four year preceding the next City Council election. Redistricting is a process that addresses population change. The goal is to ensure the districts are “as equal as possible” in terms of population.... Special needs prep for hurricane season - In Hillsborough County, Special Needs (Medical) Shelters provide temporary emergency facilities capable of providing care to residents whose medical conditions exceed the capabilities of a Red Cross Shelter, but not severe enough to require hospitalization. To make sure there are enough facilities to accommodate residents who need evacuation assistance to a special needs shelter, it...
Inform – Involve – Invest – Impact - Planning Commission adopts new Mission, Vision, & Strategic Plan The Planning Commissioners unanimously adopted the 2014 Planning Commission Strategic Plan at their April 14th meeting. “This new strategic plan is a departure from our agency’s past and changes the culture of our organization. It really reflects the user-friendliness we strive for in our agency,” said... Imagine 2040 Town Hall - A Spring Home Show hit! On March 14th, at the Spring Florida’s Largest Home Show at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Turner Expositions made history by hosting their first-ever Town Hall meeting – our Imagine 2040 panel discussion. In addition to our interactive planning display at the center of the Home Show, we invited people to... 2013 All Star Award for us! - Thanks to you, we’ve made Constant Contact All Stars for two consecutive years! Thanks to all of our eNews subscribers, we have received the 2013 All Star Award from Constant Contact, Inc. The standards for becoming an All Star this year were tougher than ever. Only the top 10% of Constant Contact’s half a million... We heard what you want… Now, tell us how to get there! - Turning challenges into opportunities for a thriving future We have a great place to live, work, and play. There are lots of reasons why about half a million more people will live and work here by 2040. We’re a county filled great educational opportunities and neighborhood choices, from rural to urban living, and everything in... Imagine 2040 launch a success! - In case you missed our Imagine 2040 : Part 2 Media Day Launch event on Thursday, July 20 at Tampa Bay Grand Prix, check out this HTV News Brief: Imagine 2040 : Part 2 launch event HTV news brief Chuck Henson breaks down the Imagine 2040 survey into five easy steps in a conversation with...
Comprehensive Mobility Proposal - The Transportation for Economic Development (TED) Policy Leadership Group’s (PLG) first met formally in May 2013. Many organization have been working collaboratively with the TED PLG, including the County, the Cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City, HART, the Hillsborough MPO, FDOT, the Expressway Authority and the Planning Commission, to evaluate and study: The...
Planning Commissioners take cross-county tour - On July 25th, Planning Commissioners met at County Center to begin a cross-county trip highlighting many new and existing initiatives taking place throughout the county today. For the first leg of the tour, staff and commissioners took HART’s new MetroRapid route from the Jackson Street station to the University Area Transit Center. HART’s Public Information...
Family Abilities Information Rally coming Saturday, October 4th, 2014 - On Saturday, October 4th from 10am to 3pm Yes! of America United will host the 7th annual Family Abilities Information Rally at All People’s Life Center at 6105 E Sligh Avenue in Tampa. The YES! F.A.I.R. is free of charge to all and offers outreach to the community at large, helping people with disabilities learn...
APA Florida honors Ray Chiaramonte’s lifetime achievements - At the 2014 Annual Conference of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) held in Jacksonville in September, our Executive Director Ray Chiaramonte received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes the exemplary four decades Ray has championed the importance of planning and provided powerful leadership to propel planning go soaring heights...
Pasco BOCC increases gas tax - Pasco commissioners on [September 9th] approved increasing the county’s gas tax to 12 cents a gallon – highest in the Tampa Bay area. The 5-cent-per-gallon hike puts Pasco’s gasoline tax at the most allowed under state law and 5 cents higher than in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and 3 cents higher than in Hernando....
MPO supports Greenlight Pinellas - At their September 30th meeting, the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization Board (MPO) voted to support Greenlight Pinellas. In a letter to PSTA CEO Brad Miller, County Commission and MPO Chair Mark Sharpe congratulates PSTA on improvements made to service and transit ridership gains over the past several years. Looking forward to ongoing collaboration with both... Imagine 2040 : Part 2…You told us more! - More than 2,400 citizens spoke up in July and August for the future of transportation. Over an 8-week period, culminating with an interactive display at Florida’s Largest Home Show over Labor Day weekend. Opinions were sought on transportation needs from a wide spectrum of groups at 65 events as well as from the comfort of... imagine 2040 | Comprehensive Plans - people. places. natural spaces. Updates to the Comprehensive Plans for Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, and unincorporated Hillsborough County are currently being processed. Findings from extensive public engagement in Imagine 2040 Part 1 and Part 2 have been used to help develop these updates. Restructured to be more user-friendly, the new plans feature: Standardized format... Congrats to Planning & Design award winners! - On October 30, the Planning Commission held it’s 32nd Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas at the A La Carte Pavilion. Hosted by ABC Action News Anchor, Brendan McLaughlin, this awards program is a well-respected tradition honoring the very best in planning and design in Hillsborough County. A panel of judges...
Parking Study for City of Tampa’s Downtown - The Tampa Downtown Partnership and the City of Tampa asked the Planning Commission to complete a review of best practices in parking management for ideas to stimulate program development in the City of Tampa. Essentially, this study provides an overview from other cities and their strategies to improve the ease and efficiency of parking. With...
Planning Commissioner Joseph & Pedro Parra earn CRED - Congratulations to Planning Commissioner Nigel Joseph and Principal Planner Pedro Parra on receiving their Certificate in Community Real Estate Development from the Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida. This local, grassroots program helps strengthen community partnerships and reinvigorate communities by developing versed practitioners in: Developing connections to local resources Learning the...
Melissa Zornitta honored to be keynote at FSU DURP - Our Executive Director and President of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, Melissa Zornitta, AICP, was keynote speaker at Florida State University’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) 2016 Convocation on April 29th. “It’s been 18 years since I was part of the DURP convocation,” she said. “I was honored to be...
Planning Commission and MPO join USGBC - The Hillsborough MPO and Planning Commission are now proud members of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC is committed to transforming the way our buildings are designed, constructed and operated through LEED – the top third-party verification system for sustainable structures around the world. Every day, the USGBC is helping advance spaces that...
Penalosa : Plan for people first - On April 20, our Livable Roadways Committee in partnership with USF’s Live Move Student Group, featured international guest speaker Gil Penalosa, Chair of 8-80 Cities, World Urban Parks, and former Commissioner of Parks for the City of Bogata. His focus is on creating vibrant cities and healthy communities for everyone with the design of parks...
Resources for grant related activities - Hillsborough County has set up a web page for grant opportunities from federal agencies and other national or state and regional agencies. These grant announcements are published on a monthly basis, so check back on the first of the month to see what else is new. If you see an opportunity that you believe fits... Imagine 2040 receives Innovation Award - The 14th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland last week featured practical tools and innovative strategies for creating great communities. At this event, the Open Planning Tools Group (OPTG) announced the winners of the 2nd Annual Innovation Awards. Imagine 2040 received the Exemplary Implementation Award, recognizing a planning process or project that utilized... Hillsborough County Planning Commission Summer 2016 Internship - The Hillsborough County Planning Commission is offering an internship opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students studying urban & regional planning and related disciplines such as, but not limited to, public administration, geography, environmental studies, transportation engineering, and economics. Term: Summer 2016 (start/end dates are flexible, but may not exceed 3 months) Compensation: $12/hour (up to... A note from Melissa Zornitta - Commitment to our mission and our community As this is the first Beyond Today since I have begun serving as the Planning Commission Executive Director, I wanted to take a moment to share a little bit about myself and my philosophy about planning for Hillsborough County. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead...
Thinking on our feet… - Standing up for better health and sharper focus Recently, My Fox Tampa Bay stopped by the Planning Commission to take a look at our Varidesks, allowing many of us to stand up for better health and more focus at our jobs. Sitting is Killing You, according to a September 2014 article in TIME. But the...
Hillsborough County launches online monthly building reports - Hillsborough County Development Services recently launched a new web feature that provides customers better access to tracking residential and commercial building permit activity. The online report is published monthly as part of an effort to drive economic development initiatives as well as ensure transparency and accountability. In Hillsborough County, a building permit is required when any... GO Hillsborough wants your voice - Creating a community transportation plan Since mid-February, the GO Hillsborough team has been hosting a series of 36 open house style workshops in or near your neighborhood to: understand your transportation needs and realities explore options that make sense in your daily life help you weigh in on some hard choices as we move forward...
Congratulations Chairman Thrower! - APA National Planning Officials Committee Appointment As of May 1, Planning Commission Chair Mitch Thrower has been appointed by the American Planning Association (APA) Board of Directors to serve on the APA Planning Officials Committee. Commissioner Thrower will represent Region III, encompassing Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico,...
Plant City – Right. Now. - Ready for economic growth and development Plant City and its leaders are dedicated to its growth and development. “Plant City’s proximity to major roadways as well as Port Tampa Bay is ideal for corporations in industries such as manufacturing, distribution, and logistics,” said Mayor Rick Lott, City of Plant City. “Many agencies are working together... Hillsborough County At Your Service - 24/7 expanded customer service Talk about user-friendly! Hillsborough County has expanded its customer service capabilities with At Your Service. The mobile-friendly website adjusts to all devices and allows residents to submit a service request and track the progress online 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Resiliency Plan hits the airwaves - County Commissioner Les Miller, Chair of the Hillsborough MPO and the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC), recently discussed the importance of preparing our roads and transit for extreme weather events on the award winning television series, Innovations with Ed Begley, Jr. The program will air on the Discovery Channel in May 2015 and on FOX Business in June/July... Imagine 2040 receives top honors at the Future of the Region Awards! - On March 27, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) held its 23rd Annual Future of the Region Awards program, recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions benefiting the regional community. Imagine Hillsborough 2040 was pleased to receive two top honors – First Place in the Public Education category and the One Bay Award. Imagine 2040, a partnership between the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Planning Commission,...
A life framed by love for community - Former Planning Commissioner Anne Madden leaves a caring legacy It is with heavy heart that we share the passing of Anne Madden on May 28, 2015. “Anne proudly served as a Planning Commissioner from 2001 to 2005,” said Melissa Zornitta, Executive Director of the Planning Commission. “She cared so much about her community – Ruskin...
Special Celebration of Planning edition - The Planning Commission is proud to announce the winners of our 34th Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas. The event was held on October 20 at T Pepin’s Hospitality Centre. With the emphasis on the importance of great planning and design in our own region, our awards program aligns... Tampa Comprehensive Plan Update - Learn more about the 2040 Plan & leave your comments! An update to the Tampa Comprehensive Plan is currently being processed. Findings from extensive public engagement in Imagine 2040 Part 1 and Part 2 were very much in line with Tampa’s current plan and have been used to help develop the update for Tampa. Restructured...
What lies within our archives? - Tampa celebrates Archives Awareness Week July 12 – 18 Recognizing the need to document and preserve the development and unique heritage of Tampa and its government, the City of Tampa Archives was founded in 1987. Archives Awareness Week was established in 1992 by the City of Tampa Archives Advisory Committee. During this week, local archives...
MPO planning recognized for improving community health - Did you know the cost of medical care for chronic disease from obesity is estimated at $34 billion over the next 17 years in Florida? County and municipal governments play an important role in decreasing the prevalence of unhealthy weight in their jurisdictions. A variety of policies implemented by local governments have shown an increase... Info BBQ served up well done! - Hidden History of Planning & Growth draws big crowd On July 22, the Planning Commission kicked off our Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) in our boardroom. About 40 people brought their bag lunches and came hungry for good information on More than Cigars: the Hidden History of Planning & Growth in Tampa and Hillsborough County....
2015 Regional Water Supply Plan - Public comment period extended though August 17 The draft 2015 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) is available for public review and comment.The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) RWSP assesses the projected water demands and potential sources of water to meet demands over a 20-year period. The Plan is updated every five years, in accordance with Florida...
YMCA rolls out a Veggie Van - A mobile market place delivering where most needed. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA has launched a mobile market place, called the Veggie Van, to meet the needs of individuals and families living in underserved areas of Hillsborough County. Through a colorful, refrigerated truck, the Y is now distributing fresh, nutritious food such as fruits and...
Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup - Save the Date – September 19, 2015 Join Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful as we host local sites along Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough River, Alafia River, Little Manatee River, Lake Thonotosassa and other waterways throughout Hillsborough County. Last year, well over 60,500 pounds of litter and debris was removed from more than 75 locations throughout Hillsborough... Imagine 2040 wins for Best Practices - APA Florida Award of Merit received at state conference Imagine 2040 was honored to receive the American Planning Association’s Florida Chapter 2015 Project Award of Merit in the Best Practices category. The award was presented at the opening session of APA Florida’s annual conference, themed Betting on Florida’s Future, held in Hollywood, Florida earlier this...
Meet our new Planning Commissioner - Rebecca Rogers appointed by MacDill AFB At the Planning Commission’s September meeting, Rebecca Rogers was sworn in as MacDill Air Force Base‘s ex-officio representative on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Rogers serves as the Base Planner & Asset Management Analyst with IAP Worldwide Services. She holds a Masters of Urban & Environmental Planning from the University...
Planning for a Healthy Community - Plan4Health merges opportunities at the intersection of planning and health Plan4Health connects communities across the country, funding work at the intersection of planning and public health. Anchored by members of the American Planning Association (APA) and the American Public Health Association (APHA), Plan4Health supports creative coalitions work with communities to increase access to healthy food...
Vinik’s Tampa Waterfront will be the 1st WELL Certified™ district in world! - Health and wellness is a focus for planners, and it’s important to employers in attracting and retaining highly qualified employees. Now, it officially will be part of the branding and lifestyle in Jeff Vinik‘s $2 billion investment in Tampa’s Waterfront. In fact, Vinik’s vision will be designated the first WELL Certified™ district in the world.... A Celebration of Great Planning & Design - The Planning Commission is proud to announce the winners of our 33rd Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas. The event was held on October 29th at T Pepin’s Hospitality Centre. As the American Planning Association celebrated Community Planning Month and Great Places in America in October, we are proud...
New Year. New Look! - Plan Hillsborough represents us, an agency of dedicated and innovative planning staff serving: Our new look was created in-house, inspired by the excitement of a thriving future for our region. It is modern, bold, and clean, better representing the brighter future we are planning together… with you! Check out the presentation below for...
Measuring our performance - In 2015, the Planning Commission updated our adopted Strategic Plan. As a result of opportunities identified in this plan, staff is evaluating potential measures by reviewing existing performance metrics within the agency and in other county departments. The Planning Commission’s goal is to enhance the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness. At our March 14th meeting, Planning...
Plant City Comprehensive Plan in effect - Plan amendment and other development applications for the City of Plant City submitted after the effective date will be reviewed under the Imagine 2040 plan. The updated comprehensive plan incorporates a more user-friendly format and emphasizes Plant City’s priorities. Imagine 2040 : Plant City Comprehensive Plan »
Hot off the press and onto our web - Fact and Figures 2015 takes a look at Hillsborough County’s population, covering: Families & Housing Health The Cities Education Income & Employment Construction Economic Summary : National, State, and Local Trends – An overview of economic conditions for the United States, the State of Florida, the Tampa Metropolitan Statistical Area and Hillsborough County (where available)....
2015 – A year filled with changes and accomplishments - 2015 was full of achievements for the Planning Commission, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Hillsborough River Board. Imagine 2040 continued to receive awards and recognition, as the results were incorporated into the plan updates for Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. All three of their Comprehensive Plans were updated to the new horizon year of...
Info BBQ speaker draws crowd focused on Vision Zero - The January 5th Planning Commission InfoBBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) drew nearly 50 planners and citizens concerned with bicycle and pedestrian safety in our region. Dr. Heather Rothenberg, a nationally recognized expert in safety data systems and performance measures, spoke about Vision Zero, an approach to road safety that began in Sweden in 1997. At the...
Applications open for FLiP 2016 - Announcing our new Future Leaders in Planning (FLiP) Student Leadership Development Program beginning in Summer 2016! Hillsborough County Public Schools currently in good standing in grades 9, 10, or 11 who would like to learn more about the planning profession are eligible to apply. For more information and application, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/FLiP2016 FLiP 2016 will...
Future Leaders in Planning - plan’ning noun. The activity or profession of determining the future physical arrangement or condition of a community. Planning, also called urban planning or city and regional planning, is a dynamic profession that works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient, and attractive places for present and...
Pedro Parra remains on Affordable Housing Advisory Board - On February 3rd, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) confirmed the reappointment of Pedro Parra, Principal Planner on our staff Strategic Planning Initiatives Team, for a three year term to serve as the Planning Commission’s representative on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. This Board advises and makes recommendations to the BOCC and the Affordable Housing... APA Florida Sun Coast Section + USF MURP = MAPS - The Sun Coast Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association and the USF MURP – Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning – program launched a new Mentor a Planning Student (MAPS) program. MAPS is an official program of APA Florida. The University of South Florida joins Florida State University as the second...
Hillsborough River Board celebrates 30 years! - Congratulations to our Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board and Technical Advisory Council on 30 years of planning for the environmental health of the Hillsborough River! Created by the Florida Legislature in 1986 to monitor activities and actions in and around the Hillsborough River, the River Board adopted and maintains the River Master Plan and makes... Welcome new Planning Commissioner Tony Rodriguez! - At the April 11th Planning Commission meeting, James A. “Tony” Rodriguez, AICP, (left in picture) took his oath as Ex-Officio member representing MacDill Air Force Base in his role as Base Community Planner. He brings with him more than 25 years of public and private sector experience in policy, management, planning, and engineering. Mr. Rodriguez...
Planning Commission Library - The Planning Commission Library, located at 601 E Kennedy Blvd, 18th floor, room 1848C, is currently CLOSED to the public due to COVID. Inquiries can be sent to eagant@plancom.org. Research assistance is still available through zoom meetings. About the Planning Commission Library The Planning Commission Library was established in 1959 as part of the Hillsborough... Economic Development served up at April Info BBQ - Our Spring Info BBQ highlighted economic development in Hillsborough County’s smaller cities. The first guest speaker, Jake Austin – President and CEO of the Plant City Economic Development Corporation, highlighted the many development opportunities in the pipeline for Plant City. Working closely with their partners – the City of Plant City, the Greater Plant City...
Staff retreat and boat tour - On April 15, Plan Hillsborough staff gathered at the John F. Germany Public Library for a retreat focused on communication styles and new ideas to work together more effectively. “The results were great,” said Melissa Zornitta, Planning Commission Executive Director. “Staff is energized to move forward on the implementation steps on our strategic plan.” Following... Meet our new Plan Hillsborough staff - Over the past year, we’ve been growing! We’re excited to introduce you to the newest members of our Planning Commission staff! On our Comprehensive Planning Policy Review team: Melissa Lienhard, AICP, Principal Planner Jennifer Malone, Community Planner II BP Henry, Planning & Zoning Tech II On our Environmental, Research & Infrastructure team: Tatiana Gonzalez, Senior...
Innovation Alliance area wins $3.8M TechHire grant - The Federal Government has awarded Tampa one of 39 TechHire Partnership Grants across the nation. The $3.8 million grant is a major boost to the innovation district in the University area allowing for programming and training specifically for technology jobs. The grant was a result of a partnership between CareerSource Tampa Bay, University Area Community...
Plan Your Parks in Hillsborough County now! - Hillsborough County is updating the Parks & Recreation Master Plan and wants to learn about what you think makes for an outstanding park system. There are more than 180 neighborhood parks, 118 playgrounds, 270 athletic fields, 53 community centers, 5 dog parks, and 3 skate parks in unincorporated Hillsborough County. Which park facilities and programs... New online format for Tampa Comprehensive Plan - The Imagine 2040: Tampa Comprehensive Plan is designed to shape the City’s future for generations to come. And the plan is now available in an easier to view and search format online. Double-click to zoom, mousewheel to turn pages. Use controls to search, navigate, download, print or view full screen. The table of contents and... Our Next Info BBQ features Sam Schwartz - We are excited to announce that our next Info BBQ will be held on Friday, July 29th from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Plan Hillsborough Room in the Planning Commission office. Sam Schwartz, P.E. – former Traffic Commissioner of New York City a.k.a. “Gridlock Sam” – returns to Tampa to continue the conversation in...
Quality of Life 2015 Survey results are in! - The Quality of Life Survey began in 2002 to measure public perception of the quality of life in Hillsborough County. The Survey was designed by a statistical consultant and is now in its twelfth year. For consistency, the Survey has not been modified over time and uses eighteen factors chosen and ranked by a focus... FLiP 2016 introduces students to planning careers - On June 21st, the Planning Commission welcomed the inaugural class to our Future Leaders in Planning (FLiP) student leadership development program. Designed as an opportunity to introduce high school students to urban planning as a potential career, FLiP 2016 gave these students the chance to network with planning professionals and other students with a passion... APA recognizes the Comprehensive Plans for Hillsborough’s three cities - On April 11, the American Planning Association (APA) announced exemplary comprehensive plans with integrated sustainability elements. The Planning Commission received recognition from APA’s Comprehensive Plan Standards for Sustaining Places Recognition Program Pilot for two Florida area comprehensive plans. Imagine 2040: Temple Terrace Comprehensive Plan earned gold level recognition and Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan received... Hillsborough MPO is honored to take ‘Garden Steps’ into the HealthyCommunity50! - 10K ‘seed money’ will increase access to healthy foods in area food deserts To help improve public health through our communities, the Aetna Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and the National Association of Counties announced on September 15 the first-round winners of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge. The HealthyCommunity50, the 50 cities and... Zornitta guests on WMNF sustainable living panel - On September 26, our Executive Director Melissa Zornitta joined VHB’s Brent Lacy and Curt Ostrodka and Forward Pinellas’ Executive Director Whit Blanton as guest panelists on WMNF’s Sustainable Living program. The focus of the discussion was planning for people and earth friendly sustainable communities. Brent and Curt focused on the Parramore Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan that...
City of Tampa prioritizes parks to better serve and add value to our community - The City of Tampa‘s urban parks provide benefits that include celebrating our culture, promoting health and wellness, spurring economic growth, and keeping the community safe. Going above and beyond, the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department offered free daycare services to our community when our public schools were closed during recent hurricanes Hermine and Matthew. In... Join us on November 14 for Economics of Place! - You’re warmly invited to bring your own brown bag lunch and join VHB’s Senior Project Manager, Transportation Planning – Brent A. Lacy, AICP and Project Manager, Urban Planning – Curtis M. Ostrodka, AICP, LEED AP, for an in-depth look at how public realm investments can create a significant return on investment by creating great places... Update to User Fees Stakeholder Meeting - The Planning Commission is considering an update to the user fees for a variety of services provided by our agency. Our user fees have not been updated since 1987. A study is looking at the cost associated with our staff providing these services to the public, along with a comparison of other user fees within... Imagine 2040: Tampa Comprehensive Plan receives APA Silver Level Sustaining Places recognition - The City of Tampa and Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission are proud to announce that the Imagine 2040: Tampa Comprehensive Plan has been recognized as one of only 8 Comprehensive Plans nationwide as an example of excellence in comprehensive planning by the American Planning Association (APA). In May 2016, APA launched the Comprehensive Plan Standards...
Tampa’s new bike lane makes Top 10 for 2016! - At our 34th Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas, the Cass and Tyler Streets One-way to Two-way conversion with a Two-way Cycle Track and Share-the-Road bicycle facilities received an Award of Excellence. The accolades just keep on coming, as peopleforbikes.org placed this cycle track in the Top 10 of... Hillsborough River Board celebrates 30 years - Created June 6, 1986 by the Laws of Florida Chapter 86-335, our Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board & Technical Advisory Council has received numerous accolades honoring their accomplishments planning for the environmental health of the Hillsborough River. Thank you to the Friends of the Hillsborough River for sponsoring our 30-Year Anniversary Boat Tour. View the... Save the Date and the Economics of Place on web - Save the date! On February 3, 2017, we hope you’ll join us at noon for a 90-minute walking tour of our National Landmark District, Ybor City. Hosted by the Ybor City Development Corporation and featuring Wallace Reyes, PhD, the tour will highlight historic treasures, development updates, and the opportunity to sample some of the great...
MPO and TDCB receive 2016 Outstanding Awards - At the 2nd Annual Joint Training Conference for the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) and the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD), the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) was doubly honored at the CTD Awards Banquet on December 14. We are proud to announce the MPO received:
Thank you, Commissioner Benson! - We said farewell to Planning Commissioner Stephen Benson, AICP, at the Planning Commisssion’s November 14 meeting. The first Millennial to ever serve on the Planning Commission, Mr. Benson expressed great appreciation for his time spent serving with his fellow Commissioners since 2013. Upon receiving “the largest plaque I’ve ever received” for exemplary service he said,...
A Plan Hillsborough holiday tradition - For more than two decades, our staff has shared seasonal spirit through gift and song with the wonderful residents at Whispering Oaks. “It’s a rewarding experience to be able to make a difference in people’s lives at this special time of the year,” said Greg Colangelo, who coordinates this long-standing tradition. We come bearing gifts... Downtown Tampa Parking Survey - Have you driven into Downtown Tampa lately? Plan Hillsborough and the Tampa Downtown Partnership invite you to take three minutes to tell us about your parking experience in a short parking survey. Your response will help create a better Downtown parking experience in the future. Take the Downtown Tampa Parking Survey »
New plan amendment layer in PIMA - Exciting news! The Planning Commission’s online mapping tool – the Planning Information Map App – otherwise known as PIMA, has new data available. You can now view plan amendments to Future Land Use Map for the four comprehensive plans of Hillsborough County, Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. Plan amendments dating back to 2000 are...
Tampa Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that sea level rise will impact the Tampa Bay region in the next 25 years. Our region may experience sea level rise between .5 to 2.5 feet by 2050 (Tampa Bay Climate Science Advisory Panel, Final Report, August 2015). This report was conducted to identify potential areas...
A productive 2016! - In fiscal year 2016, we collaborated with: The City of Tampa’s Plan was recognized by the American Planning Association with their Silver Level Sustaining Places Award for Comprehensive Plans. And these are just a few highlights of the projects and accomplishments this past year. View our year in review » View all articles in... Bringing healthy food to the desert - While it’s true that temperatures have been unusually high lately, Florida has not been reclassified as a desert. Rather, “food deserts” are areas in cities where neighborhoods are a mile or more away from accessing healthy foods. You may not know that it takes some of our residents two hours to travel for groceries, but...
Walkability in the University Area Community - Since locals are the experts when it comes to their neighborhoods, we reached out for their help to ask how walkable is your neighborhood?. The University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health – Hillsborough, Hillsborough MPO, and the Planning Commission developed an outreach plan to engage neighborhood residents...
Welcome new Planning Commissioners Karen Kress and Michael Maurino! - At the Planning Commission’s April 10 meeting, two new Planning Commissioners recently appointed by the City of Tampa took their oath of office. “We are excited to have Karen Kress and Michael Maurino serve on the Planning Commission,” said Executive Director Melissa Zornitta. “Each brings a wealth of experience and insights that will serve the...
Have your say on development and traffic in Brandon - The Brandon Corridors & Mixed Use Centers Pilot study is a joint pilot project of the Planning Commission and Hillsborough MPO. The purpose of the study is to better coordinate the envisioned land use pattern with planned transportation improvements along Brandon’s major east-west corridors – Brandon Boulevard, Lumsden Road, and Bloomingdale Avenue. These busy corridors...
Thank you, Stephanie Agliano! - We said farewell to Commissioner Stephanie Agliano at the Planning Commisssion’s March 13th meeting. Ms. Agliano expressed great appreciation for her time spent representing the City of Tampa on the Planning Commission since 2013. Her vision, leadership, and commitment to continuing to improve the quality of life in Hillsborough County will be missed. We wish...
We’ve got your Facts & Figures - The Facts & Figures report is a compilation of demographic and vital statistics for Hillsborough County and the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace. This report includes population estimates, building permit activity, and varied household information such as housing, health, education, income and employment. Our 2017 issue also takes a look at broader... Apply for FLiP 2017 by April 17! - Hillsborough County School District students currently in good standing in grades 9, 10, or 11 who would like to learn more about the planning profession are eligible to apply. Current seniors will only be accepted on a space available basis. This FREE program will run May 31, June 1, and June 2, 2017 from 8:30a –...
Jay Collins named Suncoast Planner of the Year! - Plan Hillsborough Senior Planner Jay Collins, AICP, was recently awarded Planner of the Year by the Sun Coast Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). Jay was selected for his tremendous commitment to planning in the region beyond his role at the Planning Commission, taking on a year-long challenge as Conference...
A neighbor from Atlanta region shares insights on planning in uncertain times - August 2017 – On June 1 and 2, Plan Hillsborough was delighted to host John Orr, manager of the transportation and mobility division of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). Over his two-day visit, Mr. Orr addressed the Tampa Bay Transportation Management Area Leadership Group, the Florida MPO Advisory Council – whose quarterly meeting of MPO directors...
Plan Hillsborough teams up for Women Build - On April 27th, Plan Hillsborough staff donned their hard hats to make a difference for a very special family in Temple Terrace. Guided by professional contractors, our staff was able to help build a home as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program. “Being part of Women Build was a great experience, and the...
There’s a lot going on in Plant City - At the Plant City’s May 22nd City Commission meeting, Planning Commission Executive Director Melissa Zornitta and Senior Planner Jay Collins made a presentation highlighting many joint ventures with Plan Hillsborough. Among the highlights: Presentation of APA’s Silver Level award for Comprehensive Plan Standards for Sustaining Places for the Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan A...
Future of the Region Awards first place - On April 28, the Planning Commission and City of Tampa were honored with First Place in the Community Preparedness category by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council at its 25th Annual Future of the Region Awards. The City of Tampa Peril of Flood Act Vulnerability Assessment identifies potential areas at risk, as well as population,... 39th Annual Planning & Design Awards Presented by TECO - About The Planning Commission is proud to announce our 39th annual celebration of excellence in planning in Hillsborough County presented by TECO and marketing partner the Tampa Bay Times. This awards program is a well-respected tradition honoring projects contributing to a better quality of life in our community and serving as models to learn from...
2016 Quality of Life Survey results are in - The Quality of Life Survey began in 2002 to measure public perception of the quality of life in Hillsborough County. The Survey was designed by a statistical consultant. For consistency, the Survey has not been modified and still uses eighteen factors chosen and ranked by a focus group of County residents in 2002. Each year,...
Tampa City Council receives APA award and gives Commendation - On June 8, we presented the City of Tampa City Council with recognition from the American Planning Association’s (APA) Comprehensive Plan Standards for Sustaining Places Recognition Program for the Imagine 2040: Tampa Comprehensive Plan. We were honored to receive a Tampa City Council Commendation for outstanding services to the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County....
Temple Terrace presentation on June 6 - On June 6, we presented the City of Temple Terrace with the only Gold Level recognition from the American Planning Association’s (APA) Comprehensive Plan Standards for Sustaining Places Recognition Program for the Imagine 2040: Temple Terrace Comprehensive Plan. FLiP 2017 introduces students to planning careers - On May 31, the Planning Commission kicked off FLiP 2017, our Future Leaders in Planning student leadership development program. Designed as an opportunity to introduce high school students to urban planning as a potential career, the annual FLiP program expanded from nine to eighteen students and from a two-day to a three-day intensive program in...
Tired of cluttered inboxes? 5 publications become 1 starting August 1st - We get it. For years you’ve been reading our newsletters, as many as three per month, including Beyond Today, River News, Rubber meets the Road, Walk Bike News and Hillsborough Rides. We’re excited to announce that starting August 1, you’ll be receiving one monthly newsletter from Plan Hillsborough. Streamlined and consolidated like our agency, Connections...
We want your input on the future of Brandon! - August 2017 – Are you interested in the future of Brandon? The Brandon Corridor & Mixed Use Centers Pilot Project study area is currently home to 77,000 residents and nearly 37,000 jobs. Should future development contain more mixed uses, allowing for work, home, and play to occur along the same street or even the same...
Healthy food access & community gardens in Terrace Park | University Square - August 2017 – The Planning Commission received a grant from the Department of Economic Opportunity and partnered with the Florida Department of Health – Hillsborough County, Office of Health Equity and the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to evaluate an area within the Terrace Park | University Square neighborhoods in the City of Tampa. The...
Making connections at 2017 Neighborhoods Conference - August 2017 – On July 15, Hillsborough County held its 14th Annual Neighborhoods Conference. Plan Hillsborough hosted two exhibit tables to talk with dozens of Hillsborough County’s neighborhood organizations about working together for a thriving future. Our own Stephen Griffin, AICP, was a speaker in a joint educational workshop with County Development Services Department describing...
Learn more about your community! - October 2017 – Live in Riverview? Carrollwood? Wimauma? Want to know more about your community? We have data and trend information for your area. Together with the Florida Department of Transportation – Office of Environmental Management, Plan Hillsborough staff has produced sociocultural trend reports for 22 communities in unincorporated Hillsborough County. These reports contain population...
Jennifer Malone earns AICP - September 2017 – We are so proud to see our own Jennifer Malone on APA Florida’s list of the newest members of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). The AICP exam is required for certification and places greater emphasis on emerging trends and current practices in planning. A recent addition to the Planning Commission,...
Plan to join us for our 35th Annual Planning & Design Awards - September 2017 – You are warmly invited to join us for our 35th Annual Planning & Design Awards presented by Tampa Electric & Peoples Gas on Thursday, October 19 at T Pepin’s Hospitality Center. The Tampa Bay Times Reception begins at 6:15 p.m. Dinner and Awards presentations by host Brendan McLaughlin begin at 7:15 p.m....
7th Tampa City Council Redistricting Open House scheduled - September 2017 – There is still an opportunity to weigh in on Alternatives for Redistricting for Tampa City Council. To ensure the residents of Tampa’s four single-member districts have equal representation, Florida law requires the voting districts to be as equal as possible in population size. In conjunction with Hillsborough County’s Supervisor of Elections, the...
Planning Commission review of local government Capital Improvement Programs - October 2017 – Annually, the Planning Commission conducts a review of proposed Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs) for Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, and the City of Temple Terrace for consistency with their respective Comprehensive Plans. The CIPs are an important part of implementing the goals of each government’s Plan. Planning Commission staff works with... Tampa City Council Redistricting presentation to NAACP on October 19 - October 2017 – There is still an opportunity to weigh in on alternatives for Redistricting for Tampa City Council. In conjunction with Hillsborough County’s Supervisor of Elections, the Planning Commission will make a presentation to and take comments from the Hillsborough County branch of the NAACP at their October 19 meeting. The meeting is scheduled for... Growth trends in Hillsborough County - November 2017 – The Planning Commission recently completed population estimates for the years 2016 and 2017. Some interesting trends can be seen in where growth is occurring across Hillsborough County. While the massive amount of construction prior to the great recession will likely not be seen again, population growth and housing permits are about to...
Derek Doughty reappointed by Hillsborough County BOCC - The Board of County Commissioners, during regular session on Wednesday, October 18, appointed Derek Doughty to serve another term on the Planning Commission. The term is effective through September 30, 2021. Mr. Doughty has served on many local boards and committees, including the Environmental Protection Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee and SWFWMD’s Surface Water Advisory Group....
Planning Commission receives Hillsborough County commendation - November 2017 – At the Board of County Commissioners’ October 19 Quarterly Awards Ceremony, Commissioner Sandy Murman recognized the Planning Commission on the occasion of our 35th Annual Planning & Design Awards. A long-held tradition honoring planning excellence and showcasing outstanding projects setting the standard for others to emulate and improve our quality of life...
Making the plan amendment process more efficient - December 2017 – The Planning Commission recently conducted an outside evaluation of the efficiency of our plan amendment review process. As part of a class applying the lean Six Sigma techniques, this methodology is a collaborative team effort to improve performance by systematically removing waste and reducing variation. This is the first time in many...
Mitch Thrower appointed to the Planning Accreditation Board - December 2017 – Mitch Thrower was recently appointed by the American Planning Association (APA) as the Public Member to the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) for a three-year term beginning December 1, 2017. The PAB’s mission is to promote excellence among planning programs and to ensure high quality education for future urban planners through an accreditation...
New officers, a welcome, and a thank you at November Planning Commission meeting - December 2017 – New officers were elected at the November 2017 Planning Commission Meeting. Congratulations to Chair – Derek Doughty, Vice Chair – Jacqueline Wilds, and Member-at-Large – Matthew Buzza! Commissioner Green and Commissioner Michael Maurino (alternate) were elected to represent the Planning Commission on the MPO Board. A warm welcome was given to...
Training our emerging leaders for the future - January 2018 – The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) was developed to begin a process for Plan Hillsborough to address the retirement of many of the agency’s current leadership over the next few years. A year-long program that began in January 2017, ELP was designed to train selected staff on the fundmentals of leadership and management.... Planning Commission Appointee to Hillsborough MPO CAC - The Planning Commission invites anyone interested in transportation and planning for the future of our community to submit an application to be considered as an appointee to the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee (MPO CAC) for a two-year term. Applications will be accepted beginning March 13, 2020 through April 30, 2020. For more...Info BBQ goes out to The Graham on January 31 - January 2018 – Please join the Planning Commission for our next Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly) on Wednesday, January 31 at The Graham at Gracepoint! The Info BBQ begins at 11:30 a.m. with a complimentary lunch and presentation followed by a walking tour from noon until 1:00 p.m. “We believe affordable housing shouldn’t look like...
Public Hearing for changes in election districts for Tampa City Council on January 22 - January 2018 – A public hearing will be held on Monday, January 22, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in the Planning Commission boardroom on the 18th floor of the County Center at 601 E Kennedy Boulevard in Downtown Tampa. Public comment on a plan for single-member election districts for the Tampa City Council 2019 elections is encouraged....Top