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Hillsborough County to expand 'Urban Service Area' to allow more development in Wimauma, Balm

"There’s nothing that requires anybody to develop right now. It just allows them to ask," Melissa Zornitta, Exec. Director of Hillsborough Planning Commission said.

WIMAUMA, Fla. — Over the last several years, Hillsborough County’s population has been booming. 

Now, the Board of County Commissioners has directed planning staff to expand the county’s “Urban Service Area” as one of the ways to address growth.

Wednesday evening, Plan Hillsborough held its first of several open houses where the public could learn about its plans to expand the urban service area in the communities of Balm and Wimauma. 

Executive Director of Hillsborough Planning Commission Melissa Zornitta explained that expanding the Urban Service Area allows for more homes, businesses and services in the region. 

"It helps the county prepare to align infrastructure, things like roads, water and sewer service to where the growth is planned," Zonitta said. "There’s nothing that requires anybody to develop right now. It just allows them to ask." 

Zonitta said the expansion was directed by the Board of County Commissioners to prepare for the county's projected growth.

According to Plan Hillsborough, by 2050, the county is projected to grow by more than 530,000 people, which is more than the current population of Tampa. 

"At some point, we’re going to have this growth come to Hillsborough County and I would like a plan for it, a plan for where it’s going to go and how we’re going to have infrastructure to support it," Zornitta said. 

However, some locals argue the Hillsborough County Commissioners are already approving too much development, changing the fabric of their communities. 

John Regan is a leader of the Wimauma Community Plan Advisory Council, a small group of active locals who seek to facilitate the public's interests in development projects. 

 "I would say my goal is 'controlled development.' The average person we speak to is ‘no development’," Regan said.

Regan wants Plan Hillsborough to pause its plans to expand the Urban Service Area in Wimauma and Balm until the area’s infrastructure and long-term impacts can be analyzed. 

"We need to be looking at roads, to be looking at schools, looking at flooding," Regan said. "I mean, our roads are congested; our schools are overcrowded. They’re not planning for what’s going to happen to the community and it has got me frustrated." 

Another open house will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Sumner High School, and a third will be held virtually next Tuesday. For more information, click here

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