|
|
| A consolidated planning agency |
 | |
Ray Chiaramonte, AICP Executive Director of the Planning Commission & MPO
|
Ramond (Ray) A. Chiaramonte, AICP, Executive Director of the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), was hired as Executive Director of the Planning Commission in May. Ray's vision for his new role included a more unified planning process. By synchronizing the plans, streamlining internal management decisions, and improving staff efficiency, this consolidation of planning agencies will better tie together comprehensive land use planning with long range transportation planning while saving taxpayers money. Following a three month trial period, the Planning Commissioners unanimously approved allowing Ray to serve as Executive Director of both the Planning Commission and MPO on August 13th.
Melissa Zornitta, AICP, and Beth Alden, AICP, will serve as Assistant Directors of the Planning Commission and MPO, respectively. The MPO unanimously approved the dual Executive Director agreement at its July 30th Board Meeting.
|
Handy guide to information &
services during the RNC |
 | Click the image above for a
full screen view of
Where we'll be during the RNC |
The end of August will look like nothing we've ever seen before in Tampa Bay, as tens of thousands gather for the Republican National Convention (RNC). The Planning Commission staff has been relocated to remote locations throughout Hillsborough County to better serve you. Appointments are encouraged by calling or emailing our planners directly, or dial 813.273.3774 x 300 for a receptionist. Click on the image to the right to view more information on... Where we'll be during the RNC.
 Looking for other City or County services? Concerned about traffic and parking? What about road and bridge closures? Or if you just want to know what is going on, here are some useful resources:
City of Tampa
24 hour Toll-free RNC Call Center | 866.762.8687 tampagov.net/RNC
Hillsborough County
Find County services near you | 813.272.5900
hillsboroughcounty.org/RNC
TBARTA Commuter Solutions RNC-traffic.com HART Buses & TECO Line Streetcar Hillsborough County Public Transportation during RNC GoHART.org tecolinestreetcar.org freewheelin people pedal-powered buses in Downtown during RNC freewheelin2012.com Front Row Tampa Bay your front row seat inside the RNC - live webcast frontrowtampabay.com RNC Mobile Apps & Social Media connect.gopconvention2012.com We're looking forward to showing the world why Tampa Bay is the best place to live, work and play!
|
| Plant City appoints new Planning Commissioner |
On August 13th, the Plant City City Commission appointed Gary Pike to serve the remainder of Commissioner Sears term. After serving more than 20 years on government boards, Gary Sears recently resigned from Hillsborough County's planning board, citing health reasons.
 | |
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Sears receive proclamation honoring the retired Planning Commissioner for his years of service to Plant City from Mayor Sparkman at the August 13th City Commission meeting.
|
We wish Gary Sears well and welcome Commissioner Pike to the Planning Commission. Born and raised in Elmira, New York, Gary Pike has been actively involved in charitable and community activities since he moved to Plant City in 1995. A Trustee of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and current President of the Clubhouse Woods Homeowners Association, Commissioner Pike will take the oath of office at the September 10th Planning Commission meeting.
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
| |
THU - August 23rd | 9am
Planning Commission Retreat
FRI - August 24th
OFFICES CLOSED for Staff Training
MON - September 3rd
OFFICES CLOSED for Labor Day
MON - September 10th | 2pm
Planning Commission Meeting
TUE - August 18th | 6pm
Balm Community Plan Workshop
THU - September 20th | 6pm
Terrace Park - University Square
Vision Plan Workshop
THU - August 27th | 5:30pm
University Area Community Plan Update Open House
For more information on meetings, events, locations and agendas, visit our website:
theplanningcommission.org
|
|
Video Central
|
 | |
'Feeling Good' about Tampa Bay -
music by Michael Buble
|
 | | County Service Locations during the RNC |
|
|
|
| Student volunteers get down to business in the University Area |
At the August 13th Planning Commission meeting, student volunteers who made the execution of the University Area Community Plan Business Survey possible were recognized. For a community to chart a course for a brighter future, it's vital to get those who live, work, or own a business there involved. One focus of the update of the University Area Community Plan is to support and improve economic opportunities within the neighborhood. To encourage local business participation in the development of this update, Planning Commission staff worked with the Hillsborough County Economic Development Department and the University Community Area Development Corporation to create a business survey.
Designed to take a snapshot of the current health and future outlook from the local business perspective, the survey was presented in person to hundreds of University Area businesses along the major roadways. Armed with information, warm smiles and bilingual capabilities, student interns working at the University Area Community Development Corporation canvassed the neighborhood in just five days! All this during the summertime swelter of a July with record breaking rainfall. With limited staff, the Planning Commission was only able to execute such a feat with about a dozen student volunteers.
A product of a public / private partnership, this business survey could not have been executed without these eager-to-help, civic-minded student interns. "Seeing these young students so willing to work at the grass roots level to improve the quality of life in the University Area reinforces my optimism about the future of Hillsborough County," said Planning Commission Chair Frank Chillura. "On behalf of the entire Planning Commission, thank you."
|
| MPO receives Federal Transportation Planning Excellence Award | |
|
| Ybor City Museum Society honors Tony LaColla |
The Ybor City Museum Society recently presented Planning Commission staff member Tony LaColla, AICP, with the prestigiousAdela Gonzmart Award. The award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the historic district including innovations in business or arts development.
 | | Tony LaColla being presented the Adela Gonzmart Award by Andrea Gonzmart from the Columbia Restaurant & Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association board member Jose Garboza |
Tony has been involved in the redevelopment of Ybor City, serving as President of the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association and as a member of the Ybor City Development Corporation Board of Directors, for the past six years. He played a key role as an advocate for the completion of the I-4 / Selmon Crosstown Expressway Connector Project using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He also worked closely with the City of Tampa to update regulations related to nightclubs and create design standards for Ybor City parking lots. Tony was the catalyst for a business incubator project in Ybor City. Today, in partnership with the Hillsborough County Small Business Information Center, Hillsborough County offers small business assistance in Ybor City and a plan for a commercial kitchen incubator is underway. He was also responsible for preparing and submitting an application to the American Planning Association which earned Ybor City's 7th Avenue the "One of America's Top 10 Streets" designation.
Congratulations Tony!
|
Community Corner | community planning briefs |
|
| university area community plan update |
An Open House for the University Area Community Plan update is scheduled for Thursday, September 27th at the University Area Community Center, 14013 North 22nd Street in Tampa from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This Plan Update will focus on the most important areas to continue this progress into the next decade. Since early 2011, the Planning Commission worked with citizens, businesses and community stakeholders to draft the University Area Community Plan Update. The major topics the draft plan addresses include: - Improving residential neighborhood bicycle and pedestrian connection
- Job opportunities and economic development
- Redevelopment potential
- Housing alternatives
- Crime prevention
We want to know if we have we missed anything important to you and if that you agree or disagree to the Vision, Goals and Strategies being proposed? Please join us. | balm community plan |
Balm hosted their second Open House on August 7th. A BBQ and desserts were enjoyed by all. The community provided feedback, rating the overall plan a 4.16 out of a possible 5. 
The next workshop will be held on September 18th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Balm Civic Center to review the Open House results and agency review input. We anticipate filing the plan amendment in 1st Cycle 2013.
|
|
In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other nondiscrimination laws, public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
