Adoption of the Comprehensive Plan is the culmination of a cooperative effort by the Planning Commission, the Board of County Commissioners, Hillsborough County Planning and Growth Management Department and the citizens of Hillsborough County.  The newly updated 20-year long range plan will soon be the official guiding document for growth and development in unincorporated Hillsborough County. 

Citizen input into the planning process was unprecedented in Hillsborough County.   Over 3,000 citizens participated in surveys, open houses, stakeholder meetings, workshops and public hearings, providing countless hours of feedback used to create this plan. 

Citizen adovcate and U-CAN chairwoman Terry Flott said, the “The Planning Process has been long but educational for the average citizen.  Thanks to groups like U-CAN working with planners, there has been more citizen participation than ever before.”

“Citizen Participation and cooperation among stakeholders was the focal point and base of this planning process,” said Robert B. Hunter, Executive Director of the Planning Commission.  “Our staff worked hard to layout the vision our community has for the future of Hillsborough County.”

A few key highlights of the comprehensive plan include:

• Created a Minimum Density Requirement to ensure efficient development by maintaining a minimum number of units per acre. This increases the number of units served by infrastructure and will lead to a decrease in the service cost per unit. 
• Established Activity Centers to create a variety of mixed-use areas with a concentration of commercial and other land uses.
• Created a level of service standard for hurricane evacuation. 
• Expaned Transfer of Development Rights program to help preserve open space, and farmland and encourage development in already urbanized areas.
• Established criteria for when to expand the Urban Services Boundary. 

After hearing of the BOCC’s adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, Planning Commission Chairman Bruce P. Cury stated, “Our staff has done a marvelous job incorporating every point of view.  This is a step forward for the future of Hillsborough County.  Our plan is now stronger and more important than ever.”

The Future of Hillsborough Comprehensive Plan for Unincorporated Hillsborough County has been transmitted to the Florida Department of Community Affairs.  The plan is expected to go into effect at the end of August upon final approval by the state.

To view the Comprehensive Plan in its entirety, visit www.theplanningcommission.org/hillsborough.