Hillsborough County Planning Commission Regular Meeting – February 9, 2026
Hillsborough County Planning Commission Regular Meeting – February 9, 2026
The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on February 9, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The meeting included a plaque presentation, approval of minutes, one action item on a Temple Terrace sign code amendment, a lengthy discussion on evaluating the urban service area (USA), and several briefings on planning programs and proposed amendments. The meeting was the first part of the day; the public hearing was scheduled for 5:30 PM.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes of the January 12, 2026, regular meeting and public hearing were approved unanimously by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up to speak on non-agenda items or on the action items.
Discussion Items
- Plaque of Appreciation: Former Commissioner Tony Rodriguez was recognized for his service from August 2005 to March 2007 and April 2016 through December 2025.
- Temple Terrace Sign Code Amendment (Action Item): Staff presented a proposed text amendment to Section 12-984 to allow two wall signs on corner lots (instead of one) provided each sign faces a different street. The amendment is consistent with comprehensive plan policy 5.2.2. The commission unanimously found the amendment consistent and recommended approval to the Temple Terrace City Council.
- Evaluation of Urban Service Area (USA) and Alternatives (Action Item): Staff presented a three-phase approach to evaluate the USA, including a letter to the Board of County Commissioners requesting support and funding. A lengthy discussion ensued among commissioners. Chair Joseph expressed that the staff report missed his original request for an evaluation of the USA's effectiveness before considering alternatives. Commissioners debated the purpose, metrics, and need for an outside consultant. Several commissioners suggested a workshop, training, and input from county staff. No action was taken; the item was deferred to the April/May timeframe.
- USF Urban and Regional Planning Program Update: Commissioner Lincas presented highlights of the program, including 100% job placement, recent reaccreditation with a seven-year term, a fellowship program, and a studio collaboration with Temple Terrace and the Planning Commission.
- Temple Terrace Driveway Requirements (Briefing): Staff presented proposed revisions to driveway code to address flooding, site distance, and tree roots, including adoption of Hillsborough County's driveway apron detail and increasing allowed driveway width from 25% to 30%.
- Plan Hillsborough 2025 Annual Report: Staff summarized accomplishments under the agency's strategic plan, including over 2,100 clients served, 90 presentations, 65 comprehensive plan amendments, and 1,300 maps created.
- Plant City CPA 25-08 (Briefing): A proposed amendment to change the future land use designation of 9 acres at 2502-2600 East Sam Allen Road from Residential One to Plant City Commercial, consistent with the Northeast Plant City Area Master Plan.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Temple Terrace Land Development Code Text Amendment Section 12-984 (permitted signs) – found consistent with the comprehensive plan (unanimous).
- Deferred: The evaluation of the urban service area and alternatives. The commission will revisit the topic in April/May 2026, potentially with a facilitated workshop, training, and input from county staff.
- Upcoming: The next regular meeting and public hearing are scheduled for February 17, 2026, for the City of Tampa Future Land Use transmittal hearing. The Planning Commission retreat is set for February 24, 2026. Boardroom renovations will begin March 13, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to a meeting of your planning commission, the official local planning agency for the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plan City, and unincorporated Hillsboro County. The Planning Commission provides innovative leadership and long-range vision that contributes to the creation of a thriving, prosperous community that offers opportunity, fairness, and choice in how we live, move, learn, work, and play. For more information about the Planning Commission, please call eight one three, two seven two five nine four zero. Follow us on social media or visit our website at Plan Hillsborough. For those attending in person and wishing to speak on any agenda item, please sign the register at the rear of the room and turn off any devices that may be a distraction. Planning commissioners should unmute themselves to indicate that they would like to speak. Please be sure to state your name at the beginning of your remarks for the benefit of the clerk. Please wait until the chair calls on you to begin speaking. State your name at the beginning of your comments and adhere to the time limits. If anyone has difficulties or is watching via HTV and would like to provide comments to be included in the record for the local government hearing, please email them to planner at plancom.org. For action items, the meeting will be conducted as follows. The agenda item will be introduced. Staff will give their presentation with a 15-minute time limit. The applicant will be given the opportunity to make a presentation with a 15-minute time limit. Following presentations, members of the public may address the planning commission when recognized by the chair. Public comment will be heard for three minutes per person. The applicant will be afforded a three minute period for rebuttal or response. Planning commissioners will ask questions. Public comment will be closed. Then upon a motion, a second and discussion, a vote will be taken. With that introduction, I'd like to ask Commissioner Jemison to lead us in the invocation of the Pledge of Allegiance. If you're able, please rise. Thank you for this day. And thank you too for the many blessings in our lives for our great country and for the opportunity to live in freedom. We ask for blessings on our leaders, and we ask that you give each one of us here today the wisdom to make the right choices so that our decisions will be the best interest of the people at Oldsborough County. Amen. One nation, under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Commissioner Jemison. All right. With that, I will send it over to the clerk to please call roll. Good afternoon. Falden. Here. Cardinas. Here. Kona? Here. Jemison. Here. Googler. Here. Lincas. Here. Lauk. Seben. Sink. Here. Barry. Here. Orton.
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