Infill Workshops Set Stage for Sustainable Development

In August, the Planning Commission held the final workshop in a four part series designed to identify potential changes to land development codes, zoning regulations and the comprehensive plans which might help facilitate infill development.  The workshops were organized in response to the frustrations of trying to meet the Comprehensive Plan’s infill development policies while encountering land development regulations that often make the county’s infill and related sustainable design goals difficult.

As part of the Planning Commission’s ongoing effort to promote sustainability, the Infill Workshops also focused on changes to regulations that would help facilitate sustainable building and site design.  Members from the development/construction community, government/regulator community, and citizens were invited to attend.  Around 70 people participated in the 4 part series.

The first workshop identified the current issues and concerns with infill development.  A common thread to all perspectives was that of creating certainty in future regulations. The developer/builders want to know what the rules are, and that when adhered to, they will obtain the approvals they need. Communities and neighborhoods want the same certainty, so they know what the impacts of infill development will be. The planners and regulators, in applying their tools within whatever parameters are defined, want certainty in terms of political support.  All perspectives recognized the need for some degree of flexibility in applying and responding to whatever rules are in play.

The second workshop identified the definition for infill and sustainability as they relate to Hillsborough County.  Based upon the work of the group definitions was formed.  Infill was defined as development of vacant parcels in built-up areas where public facilities such as sewer systems, roads, schools, and recreation areas are already in place. Compatibility was defined as characteristics of different uses, activities, or design that allow them to be located near or adjacent to each other in harmony.

The third and fourth workshops focused on identifying policies and regulations for improving and easing regulations that often make infill development and sustainable design difficult.  Hundreds of suggestions were offered with particular attention paid to land use, transportation, housing, and water resource sustainability.   The participants were anxious to see their collective work and combined interests lead to actual changes in policies and codes. They noted that while there was not yet universal consensus on every idea, there did seem to be broad support for most of the outputs. With fine-tuning, these should serve as the foundation for professional policy and code writing.

While the workshops did not write or rewrite specific regulations, the recommendations suggested in the workshops will provide a useful tool for local governments to bring the regulations into alignment with the Comprehensive Plan.  Results and recommendations from each of the four workshops will be used to develop a set of specific recommendations that all local jurisdictions can use to make changes to their development regulations.  

For more information and to read the final reports from each workshop click here.