Hillsborough County outlines Balm Road master pump station plan; staff and Planning Commission recommend approval

Hillsborough County Water Resources presented a special‑use application to allow construction of a master wastewater pump station and attendant facilities on county‑owned land near County Road 672 west of Balm‑Riverview Road.

Laura Bartholomew of Ardura Group, presenting for the county, described the proposed Balm Road Super Pump Station as part of a larger South County water/wastewater program including force mains and a future water campus. Bartholomew said the pump station’s initial design capacity would provide pumping for 56,000,000 gallons per day, expandable to 80,000,000 gallons per day, and would include a storage tank, odor control, electrical building, backup generators, stormwater management and secured fencing.

Bartholomew said the special‑use area proposed for utilities is a 4‑acre pump‑station parcel within two county‑owned parcels totaling about 148.43 acres; the special‑use limits cover roughly 19.1 acres. She noted the project would operate as a master pump station serving more than 3,000 equivalent dwelling units and listed site setback distances from the special‑use limits to adjacent property lines ranging from about 102 feet to 718 feet depending on the building element.

Orlando with Development Services and Alexis Myers of Planning Commission staff both reported no objections; planning staff concluded the proposal meets applicable comprehensive plan policies and is compatible with existing community plans. Bartholomew said utilities for the site will be county water and TECO electric. The applicant and staff discussed tree removal and replacement, pond sizing (ELAP coordination), and potential access variances at site development application. No public opposition appeared; the hearing officer closed the item and staff will forward conditions and a written recommendation in the record.