City of Plant City: Embracing the Future, While Preserving our Past

The update of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, based on the recommendations of the 2006 Evaluation and Appraisal Report, is at the public hearing stage of the adoption process.  Five years in the making, the plan has been a collaborative effort involving public and private sectors.  The Plant City Planning Board reviewed the draft document at a public meeting on August 23.   The Planning Commission at its public hearing on September 8 made favorable recommendations and findings. The Plant City City Commission will hold a public hearing for the purpose of transmitting the plan update to the Florida Department of Community Affairs in October 2008.  Adoption hearings are tentatively scheduled for February 2009.

The entire comprehensive plan has been updated based on an overall theme of “Embracing the Future, While Preserving Our Past”. This plan follows the more traditional format addressing the major identified issues and updating each element  including: Future Land Use, Housing, Recreation and Open Space, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge, Transportation, Public Facilities, Public School Facilities, Intergovernmental Coordination and Capital Improvements Elements. 

Enhancements to the plan includes addressing issues involving children, people, the economy, growth and hometown charm.  Some major new components include policy direction to recognize the recently adopted Midtown Redevelopment Vision and the Northeast Plant City Area Master Plans.  Also included are new measures to improve economic growth and establish a Joint Planning Area with Hillsborough County, for the unincorporated areas around Plant City.  A conceptual “vision” map is included as an introduction to the Plan, illustrating the big picture and incorporating the adopted municipal “strategic guide” for the City of Plant City.

Nineteen Future Land Use Plan Map amendments are also being processed with this update; Sixteen amendments have been initiated by the City and are corrections to recognize existing land uses and zonings, while three privately initiated amendments are supported by the policy direction of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City.