Hillsborough planning commission backs several comprehensive‑plan amendments, advances urban‑service expansion and other map changes

The Hillsborough County Planning Commission on July 13 recommended forwarding several comprehensive‑plan map amendments to the Board of County Commissioners and the City of Tampa, including two related proposals to expand the county’s urban service area near the I‑4 corridor.

Planning commission staff said the privately initiated amendment for about 81.9 acres on Williams Road and Bessie Dicks Road (HCCPA 26‑02) conflicts with multiple comprehensive‑plan policies and the local community plan, and recommended a finding of inconsistency. "Planning commission staff recommends that the proposed map amendment be found inconsistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the unincorporated Hillsborough County comprehensive plan," staff planner Willow Michie told commissioners. Despite that recommendation, the commission voted 7–2 to find the amendment consistent and forward it to the Board of County Commissioners; Commissioners Bowden and Coogler voted no.

The applicant, Todd Pressman, said the parcel abuts the existing urban service area and that the proposal would fund remediation of a long‑standing landfill at the applicant’s expense and add housing near employment corridors. "There'll be a companion ... rezoning, and a critical component is that there is a substantial landfill in the area that will be taken care of, by the applicant," he said.

An associated map amendment to change future land‑use categories on the same parcels (HCCPA 26‑03) drew similar debate. Staff flagged transportation capacity and community‑plan conflicts; the commission again voted 7–2 to forward a consistency recommendation, with the same two commissioners opposed.

Smaller, less controversial items carried with unanimous or near‑unanimous votes. The commission found HCCPA 26‑13 (2909 Durr Road), a small‑scale request to change from Residential 1 to Residential 2, consistent with the comprehensive plan after the property owner, Lindy Long, described plans to split the 1.12‑acre parcel. "I have owned this property for 11 years and ultimately I'm just looking to split it into 2 parcels," Long said during her brief presentation.

At least one rural‑area amendment (HCCPA 26‑14, Carlton Lake Road) prompted discussion about legal‑nonconforming parcel status and precedent. Isabel Albert, representing the property owners, said some parcels were created by deed transfers in 1996 and that a comp‑plan amendment would resolve a parcel‑certification issue. The commission voted 8–1 to find that amendment consistent; Chair Joseph was the lone no vote.

The commission also recommended approval of HCCPA 26‑16, a University Area item to change a senior‑living site from Residential 20 to Residential 35 to allow redevelopment and higher density. Planning staff recommended consistency; the motion passed unanimously.

The hearing then moved to City of Tampa items. The commission unanimously found TACPA 26‑03 — a publicly initiated, large‑scale amendment affecting roughly 121.7 acres owned by the Board of Trustees of Hillsborough Community College — consistent and forwarded it to the Tampa City Council. City‑side presenters characterized the proposal as a public‑private redevelopment effort intended to support transit investments and mixed‑use infill in the Westshore Business Center.

Why it matters: Commissioners who opposed the I‑4 corridor parcels emphasized that the applicable community plan explicitly opposes expansion of the urban service area in that neighborhood. Supporters said the area abuts existing urban growth corridors, offers remediation of an old landfill and could provide housing near jobs. Staff repeatedly cautioned that passage here is a recommendation; final determinations rest with the Board of County Commissioners or the Tampa City Council.

What’s next: Each consistency finding now goes to the appropriate governing body (Board of County Commissioners for county items; Tampa City Council for the Tampa amendment) for final action. Several commissioners urged staff and applicants to develop supporting policy citations and findings for any motion that departs from staff recommendations.

Votes at a glance: HCCPA 26‑02 (Williams Road / Bessie Dicks Road) — Motion to find consistent and forward: carried 7–2 (Bowden, Coogler opposed). HCCPA 26‑03 (future land‑use change on same parcels) — carried 7–2. HCCPA 26‑13 (2909 Durr Road) — carried unanimously. HCCPA 26‑14 (Carlton Lake Road) — carried 8–1 (Chair Joseph opposed). HCCPA 26‑16 (12401 N. 22nd Street) — carried unanimously. TACPA 26‑03 (4002 N. Dale Mabry Highway / Hillsborough College site) — carried 9–0 and forwarded to Tampa City Council.

Key quotes

"Planning commission staff recommends that the proposed map amendment be found inconsistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the unincorporated Hillsborough County comprehensive plan." — Willow Michie, planning commission staff.

"There'll be a companion ... rezoning, and a critical component is that there is a substantial landfill in the area that will be taken care of, by the applicant." — Todd Pressman, applicant representative.

"I have owned this property for 11 years and ultimately I'm just looking to split it into 2 parcels." — Lindy Long, property owner (HCCPA 26‑13).

The commission adjourned the county portion of the hearing after the votes; county items now move to the Board of County Commissioners, and the Tampa item moves to Tampa City Council for final consideration.