Planning commission approves $350,000 study contract for Interstate 4 and Little Manatee South urban expansion areas

The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission on July 14 authorized the executive director to sign a $350,000 contract to study potential urban service area expansion around Interstate 4 and Little Manatee South.

Planning commission staff member Sofia Guaranteeva told commissioners the contract covers an 18‑month study to evaluate whether and where the county should consider future expansion of the urban service area (UEA). "This study does not expand the urban service area," Guaranteeva said, adding the work will produce land‑use scenarios, infrastructure and fiscal analyses, environmental assessment and a public engagement plan.

The study will evaluate two preliminary study areas: the I‑4 area (about 37,169 acres) and Little Manatee South (about 7,419 acres). Guaranteeva said the scope includes a real…