By Shawn College, Environmental Team Leader

As the Planning Commission began its research in early 2005 for the major update of the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to the Evaluation and Appraisal Report of the Plan, it became apparent that resource/energy efficiency, “green building” and sustainable development would play a major role.

The state of the science for “green building” has reached a level that reliable information was available to substantiate the feasibility of various green building and sustainable development techniques and programs.  It is no longer reasonable to overlook practical changes in building and development that would yield substantial real cost savings to taxpayers and protect the quality of life of residents and future generations.

Planning Commission staff worked with County departments to develop a new section of the comprehensive plan addressing green buildings, resource/energy efficiency and sustainable development.  This new section has been proposed to be added to the Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.  The section supports county initiatives to incorporate green building techniques into county infrastructure; encourages and supports developing incentives for the private sector to incorporate green building and sustainable development practices; and supports efforts to educate the county’s residents in green building and sustainable development practices.

The Planning Commission will also recommend incorporating these measures into the comprehensive plans of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.

For more information please contact Shawn C. College, AICP, Executive Planner, (813) 273-3774 x 367.