The first workshop involved three stakeholder groups from unincorporated Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, who worked to identify current and potential issues and concerns with infill development.  Participants represented the development community, citizens groups, and local governments.  

The workshop came at the request of the development community as it works to meet changing housing demands due to increasing transportation and energy costs. 

Don Phillips, President of Phillips Development said, “I’m glad we’re doing this.  We should have started 15 years ago.  These aren’t easy conversations but we are a community and this is the way we need to address our issues.  We’re going to make progress with this."

As the price of energy continues to rise, experts in planning and development believe housing demand over the next 30 years will be urban focused, as young adults and an aging population demand transit friendly, walkable communities close to work, daily services, and activities.  Parcels of undeveloped land, in suburban areas and close to the urban core are ideal for development.  Increasing use of undeveloped urban parcels can take pressure off rapidly disappearing rural lands and make better use of already existing built infrastructure.

Terry Flott, President of United Citizens Action Network of Hillsborough County said, “We should accommodate only growth we can comfortably afford without increasing our tax burden and decreasing our quality of life.  Sustainable and responsible infill development is a tool we might use to make that happen.”

The consensus of participants was to continue with the discussion on infill and identify ways to make it happen.  The next step in the workshop process will identify possible alternatives and solutions to encourage infill development. 

Planning Commission Executive Director Robert B. Hunter, FAICP said, “We expect to have a series of 4-6 workshops to get down to details on potential changes to the development regulations.  We need to ensure we make changes in an appropriate manner for the best interest of all three groups and the community.  Because of the energy crisis, we need to take advantage of undeveloped parcels in urban areas making sure they are developed from the standpoint of compatibility, transportation, and public safety.” 

Dates and locations for upcoming workshops will be announced in the coming weeks.  Once a consensus on alternatives and solutions are identified, local governments will be encouraged to review and quickly implement changes to make infill development more financially feasible.