BOCC Land Use - 2026-02-10
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Land Use Meeting on February 10, 2025 approved several rezoning and modification requests. Key actions included approval of a 1,620-acre rezoning from planned development to agricultural mining for a potential TECO solar farm south of Plant City, approval of a commercial general rezoning at Downing Street for furniture upholstery repair despite Planning Commission finding it inconsistent, and designation of the Waimama Memorial Cemetery as a historic landmark.
Key Decisions (9)
Vacation of Idaho Avenue Right-of-Way
Approved vacation petition V 24-0007 by Standard Building Solutions Inc, Madison Montgomery Tamiami LLC, and Building Materials Manufacturing LLC to vacate approximately 2.07 acres of platted and deeded public right-of-way known as Idaho Avenue, located East of South 50th Street and North of Madison Avenue in Greater Palm River. Petitioners submitted indemnification letter regarding underlying ownership.
PD Modification at Madison Avenue for Open Storage
Approved PIERS application 26-01-71 to modify site development plan for a portion of PD on south side of Madison Avenue between 78th Street and 50th Street in Palm River to allow open storage in an area previously not permitted.
Transit Facilities Modification - Gun Shores Boulevard PD
Approved PIERS application 26-0308 to modify condition regarding transit facilities for PD located West of Gun Shores Boulevard, West of Westlake Drive, South of State Road 674. Modification allows flexibility for transit facility provision in accordance with LDC requirements and HART waivers.
Rezoning at Downing Street for Furniture Upholstery Repair
Approved rezoning standard 25-1320 to rezone 0.34 acre parcel on north side of Downing Street, west of Dover Road and east of Gallagher Road, from RSC-6 to Commercial General Restricted. Use limited to furniture refinishing, repair, and upholstery business including boat upholstery. Planning Commission found inconsistent but Hearing Master and Development Services recommended approval.
Drive-Through Restaurant Addition at Boyette Road PD
Approved major modification 25-1375 to modify 3-acre commercial portion of PD on south side of Boyette Road between McMullen Road and Riverview Road. Modification allows drive-through eating establishment which was previously prohibited.
Rezoning at Benjamin Road for Truck Storage
Approved rezoning standard 26-0037 to rezone 0.68 acre parcel on west side of Benjamin Road between Waters Avenue and Sligh Avenue in Town and Country area from AI (Agricultural Industrial) to M (Manufacturing) for truck parking and storage.
Historic Landmark Designation - Waimama Memorial Cemetery
Approved historic landmark designation for Waimama Memorial Cemetery at 6012 and 6014 Adena Street in Waimama. Cemetery spans 4.75 acres, dates to early 1900s, and is located in historically African American neighborhood. Historic Resources Review Board voted unanimously to recommend designation.
Rezoning for TECO Solar Farm - Old Hopewell Road
Approved rezoning standard 26-0124 to rezone approximately 1,620 acres located off Old Hopewell Road and Horton Road, south of SR 60 and south of Plant City, from Planned Development to Agricultural Mining (AM). TECO plans to lease 500 upland acres from Mosaic for solar farm development.
PD Modification to Remove TECO Solar Site
Approved PRS 26-0299 to modify PD site plan to remove 1,620 acres from the 4,000-acre planned development in conjunction with rezoning to Agricultural Mining for TECO solar project.
Zoning Changes (3)
North side of Downing Street, west of Dover Road, east of Gallagher Road
Rulon Dono (representative)
West side of Benjamin Road between Waters Avenue and Sligh Avenue, Town and Country area
Melba Rodriguez
Off Old Hopewell Road and Horton Road, South of SR 60, South of Plant City
Tampa Electric Company (TECO)
Development Activity (4)
TECO Solar Farm
Approximately 500 acres of upland solar farm on 1,620-acre former phosphate mine site owned by Mosaic, located one mile west of Polk County line.
Furniture Upholstery Repair Shop
0.34 acre parcel for furniture refinishing, repair, and boat upholstery business with six-foot fence screening.
Boyette Road Retail Drive-Through
Drive-through eating establishment added to existing retail component of mixed-use PD, with 200-foot setback from residential.
Truck Storage Facility
0.68 acre parcel for parking and storage of trucks and commercial vehicles.
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
TECO is pursuing large-scale solar development in eastern Hillsborough County, leasing 500 upland acres from Mosaic on former phosphate mining land.
Commercial Demand
Drive-through restaurant uses are being added to existing retail developments in Riverview area, indicating demand for convenience-oriented commercial.
Infrastructure
HART board recently eliminated bus service in Waimama area due to low ridership (approximately 15 riders per day), affecting transit-oriented development requirements.
Sentiment
Live Local Act implementation continues with draft lawsuit language completed and filing expected soon, indicating ongoing regulatory challenges.