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 With the recent changes to Growth Management legislation, local jurisdictions have been given greater control and flexibility over their Comprehensive Plans. With the relaxed oversight from the State, streamlining and simplifying the Plans to clear the way for dynamic and efficient growth reflective of each community's priorities can be achieved more easily.
The Planning Commission, as part of the Comprehensive Plan update process over the next few years, is developing strategies to enhance the efficiency of the land use review process and the Plan's ability to allow for the seamless implementation of the priorities identified by the community. As noted in the Issue 25 of the Weekly Planner, projects are moving forward that are intended to promote economic growth and to facilitate a more efficient development review process. Accompanying this, proposals of a new set of Plan Amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan and changes to the County and Cities Procedures Manuals are being developed by Planning Commission staff.
1st Cycle 2012 Plan Amendments include:
- Elimination of policies no longer relevant or needed
- Clarification to existing policies through text amendments
- Consolidation to establish a single 'Definitions' section
These changes will eliminate redundancies and provide greater internal consistency throughout the Plan. In addition, a number of Plan Elements have been revised to make them more concise and readable.
Plan Amendment Procedures Manuals -
Ways to streamline and shorten the sometimes lengthy review process is the focus of a current review of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Procedures Manuals for Unincorporated Hillsborough County and the Cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City. In a collaborative effort, Planning Commission staff and local jurisdictions staff have been meeting to discuss opportunities to take advantage of the flexibility in the changed legislation with the goal of expediting the plan amendment review processes and eliminating a number of unnecessary requirements.
Maintaining sensitivity to environmental, social and public welfare issues as well as land use and economic development considerations are an important part of the plan updates and reviews - a process that will only be complemented and enhanced with greater efficiency as we continue to plan for a prosperous future.
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