GIBSONTON, Fla. — Hillsborough County leaders are drafting a 20-year plan that impacts “every facet” of residents’ lives, and they want your input to craft it.
The unincorporated part of the county’s population is projected to grow by 350,000 people in 20 years and 100,000 additional jobs on top of that. With that growth comes some growing pains, so county planners want to get on top of it.
The county’s comprehensive plan is essentially a playbook for how the county will make room for massive growth over the next two decades and continue to serve those who already call it home.
“Figuring out where that industrial, commercial [space is] going to go? Where's that residential [development] going to go? What's it going to look like,” Andrea Papandrew, a senior planner with Plan Hillsborough, explained.
They will also look at how best to preserve green space, keep communities connected with transportation options and make sure safety is top of mind.
“If you don't come out and tell us, 'Hey, I like my rural area here or you know what, I want more commercial development where I live over here,' then how are we supposed to know that?” Papandrew added.
It’s an important step in this process and why people like Jim McCaw came to Gibsonton for a public meeting Thursday night to have his voice heard.
“We thought this was going to be the place where we're going to live the rest of our lives,” McCaw said about his home in Sun City Center, which sits on green space.
He wants to keep it that way, as he was promised when he moved the community to retire 12 years ago.
“If you want to buy into Florida, into a community that is planned, and you are promised that your backyard is going to be always green,” McCaw added.
The county will hold several meetings for the public to give input, you can see that schedule or submit your thoughts online, here.