|
1. Land Development Review Process – Evolution & Innovation
By: Frank G. Breaux, AICP - Executive Planner, Transportation & Land Development Review Division
All land development within Hillsborough County is regulated by the Land Development Code, a comprehensive compilation of land use regulations which implements the policies of the Comprehensive Plan. With few exceptions, all land development proposals must be reviewed by the County for compliance and consistency with the requirements of those regulations. The responsibility for such reviews ultimately lies with the Planning and Growth Management Department (PGM).
 The Site Intake Section of PGM processes land development applications ranging from simple land subdivisions to regional commercial retail centers. Even with the slowdown in the economy and the corresponding slowdown in local development activity, the Site Intake Section processed more than 1,300 submittals over the past year, a daunting task for a staff of five. This was possible due to technological advances and innovations implemented by PGM on October 1, 2008, in response to the ever-changing environment of land development.
In anticipation of the need to do more with less and with a corresponding focus on the needs of the development community, the leadership of PGM initiated the use of cutting-edge technology in order to streamline the review process and maximize the efficiency of limited staff resources. As a result, all land development review submittals to the County are now required to be made in an electronic format. In the past, applicants were required to submit paper plans and documents (up to 19 sets) for distribution to the various agencies involved in the review process. Today, the applicant simply submits a CD or flash drive containing these plans and documents to Site Intake staff during a brief appointment.
While some minimal paperwork is still required, there have been corresponding reductions of up to 80% overall. This new format has allowed most reviewing agencies to conduct their review electronically using a computer monitor as opposed to reviewing plans from bulky and voluminous paper plan sets. The result has been substantial savings for both the applicant and the County and an increase in the efficiency of the review process.
The electronic submittal process has also allowed for the electronic tracking of all projects and for transparency that was lacking in the old system. At any time, applicants as well as the general public can access the County electronic tracking/document repository system through the internet, at the online PGM STORE.
 Through this link, approval status, staff comments, plans and documents can be reviewed for all projects submitted after October 1, 2008 (limited prior project information also available). This has eliminated the need for an applicant to directly contact staff or to visit our offices to obtain vital project information, thus resulting in time/money savings and the maximization of both applicant and staff resources. The ultimate goal of PGM is to offer a 100% web-based customer service center, thus eliminating the need for any physical visits to our facilities.
The Site Intake Section also provides a variety of other services and performs a number of additional functions related to the land development review process. These include conducting presubmittal meetings, processing and tracking of public improvement/maintenance bonds, coordination of the Development Review Committee (DRC) process and maintenance of the central file room. For a complete list of our duties and responsibilities, please visit our Division webpage or read more about us in our Division Fact Sheet.
Related Resources:
2. County Reinstates Ruskin No-Fee Transportation Zone
Hillsborough County Commissioners approved an ordinance at their regular Board meeting on March 17 to re-activate the Ruskin No-Fee Transportation Zone. The ordinance creates an area in Ruskin, primarily along the U.S. Highway 41, where transportation impact fees will not be collected on new development. The Ruskin No-Fee Zone will be in effect for two years. This fee exemption applies to transportation impact fees only, not water or sewer impact fees.
The County initially created the Ruskin No-Fee Zone in 2004, but repealed the Zone, along with seven other No-Fee Zones around the county in June 2006, due to their success in encouraging development in those areas. The Ruskin No-Fee Zone was reinstated subsequently in November 2006, and had been in effect for three years until November 2009, when it came up for consideration again.
The Ruskin No-Fee Zone encompasses the same area as it initially did. The Zone is approximately 300 acres primarily on either side of U.S. 41 with the boundaries of 1st Street N.W. to the west, 3rd Street NE to the east, 19th Avenue to the north and
the railroad tracks south of W. College Avenue to the south.
Before taking the No-Fee Zone back to the County Commission for re-instating, PGM undertook a study and determined that there is still sufficient road capacity in the area for new development.
For more information on the impact fee program, visit the PGM Impact Fee webpage.
3. Join the County Budget Discussion
Hillsborough County will be facing some tough budget decisions again this year. To join the discussion:
|
