The Interstate 4 Economic Corridor Study

By: John E. Healey, AICP Executive Planner Community Planning Division

In 2008 the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) directed thePlanning & Growth Management Department and the Planning Commission staffs to assess the economic and employment opportunities of the Interstate-4 corridor. Recognizing that an adequate supply of land to accommodate economic development was crucial to the County’s future, and that much of the I-75 corridor had developed with commercial and residential uses, the BOCC directed staff to give special attention to the potential for locating light industrial, office and research activities along the I-4 corridor.

A Core Study Group was formed to analyze existing conditions, environmental features, infrastructure needs, identify target industries and steps needed to implement the study. Representatives from the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City, the Florida Department of Transportation, the University of South Florida (USF), Hillsborough Community College, the Hillsborough County Public Schools, along with County agencies and citizens, participated in bi-monthly meetings of the study group. A Business Advisory group was formed to receive input from the private sector. Staff also held public meetings to keep citizens informed and provide an opportunity for questions and comments. The BOCC received regular briefings throughout the study.

The study identified both strengths and challenges in providing for economic development along the corridor. Strengths were identified as assets and economic drivers. These include the Port of Tampa, USF, three Hillsborough Community College campuses, the Tampa Executive Airport and the Plant City Airport. As USF is a vital and growing institution with a particular strength in health care, the study also looked at areas along I-75 to accommodate development related to the university and life sciences and health care related industries.

Challenges included meeting infrastructure needs, ensuring that land along the corridor is reserved for economic development rather than residential and commercial uses, discouraging suburban sprawl and ensuring that future development is compatible with both the environment and existing residential areas.

	An important outcome of the study was identifying the types of industries and businesses that would have the greatest impact on the local economy in terms of total jobs and wages. The study group identified professional, scientific and technical services, manufacturing, finance and insurance services, wholesale trade, and management services as target industries.
I-4 Interchange in Ybor City

These industries have a likelihood of bringing jobs that pay above the County’s average annual wage and the study group established an annual wage target of $50,000.

The study also identified generalized areas for economic development within the I-4 corridor itself. Development is anticipated to occur first in areas within or adjacent to, the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City and in the County’s Urban Service Area.

Providing the regulatory framework to promote economic development along the I-4 corridor requires several major undertakings. Planning Commission staff is preparing a new future land use category and Planning & Growth Management staff is preparing a zoning district to ensure that land is designated and reserved for the target industries while discouraging strip-commercial and residential development. An outreach to property owners to designate their land with the new future land use category for economic development is planned.

Hillsborough County, Temple Terrace and Plant City staffs are discussing Joint Planning Areas adjacent to the municipalities to facilitate economic development. Land uses would have to be agreed upon as well as the provision of infrastructure.

The I-4 Economic Corridor Study was a significant effort in providing the basis to expand and diversify the economy and provide well paying jobs. Through the cooperative efforts of the cities, the County, business groups, educators and citizens, a direction was established to fulfill our economic development goals; yet much work remains to be done.

Read More About the I-4 Study
Read More About the Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Read More About the Upcoming Public Meeting on the Project

Hillsborough County Mobility Fee

Hillsborough County is in the process of considering and evaluating a mobility fee schedule to address the mobility needs associated with new developments. This could potentially replace the current system of concurrency, which is how the County defrays the cost of infrastructure (roads, school sites, parks and fire stations) that are necessary to serve the needs of new development. Over the past several months, Hillsborough County has been monitoring the methodologies being proposed by the USF Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). While these methodologies are strong in concept, Hillsborough County faces unique challenges in mobility needs. To address these challenges Hillsborough County is exploring alternative approaches to calculating the Mobility Fee.

As a first step, Hillsborough County has collaborated with industry experts to form a Technical Committee. The primary task of this committee is to establish a methodology to calculate the mobility fee. The second step in the overall process would be to establish a Policy Committee, which will make recommendations on implementing the mobility fee in Hillsborough County. A web page has been set up on the County’s website to provide information and receive questions and comments related to the Hillsborough County Mobility Fee throughout this process.

Mobility Fee Website
Upcoming Meetings and Back-up Documents

National Electric Code 2008 (NEC 08)

The 2008 National Electric Code will be recognized within Hillsborough County effective October I, 2009. All Plans on File and all submittals beginning on October I, 2009, must comply with the 2008 National Electric Code (NEC 08).

If you have any questions, please contact the Mike Doyle, Team Leader, Electrical Inspections Team, Building Services Division, at 813-635-7335.