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Twas the night before Christmas Town
~ A Vision Planning tale from
Terrace Park - University Square
Twas the night before Christmas Town, 
When all through Busch Gardens,
Not a creature was stirring, except for the Planning Commission's...
The easels were set around Gwazi Pavilion with care,
In hopes the Terrace Park - University Square community
soon would be there.
The children were anxious and jumped from their beds,
While visions of a new bicycle danced in their heads.
And mammas in their 'kerchiefs, and men with a cap,
Came to the Vision Plan Open House to see what the future has on tap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
The citizens wanted to talk about community issues that matter.
Around the Pavilion neighbors flew like a flash,
With raffle tickets in hand, they made a mad dash.
The moon on the Community Timeline display lit up all aglow
Gave luster to the Policies, Goals, and Objectives listed for show.
When, what to these wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a familiar-looking driver, a new excitement was born,
We knew in a moment, it must be Mayor Bob Buckhorn!
More special guests wanted to share, and so they came,
The community whistled, and cheered, as we called them by name!
 "For Tampa City Council's Lisa Montelione there was great applause!
And for new Temple Terrace Mayor Frank Chillura the cheers did not pause!
To the top, it's David Pogorilich from Temple Terrace City Hall!
Now here today! Here today! Here today all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
The community discussed challenges, looking eye to eye.
And looking to the future, the citizens they drew,
Words to describe their community in a year or 22.
 And then, with a twinkling, we heard on the floor,
John Schueler on USF's commitment to economic development and more.
As we drew raffle tickets and were turning around,
Down to the floor Busch Gardens ticket winners came with a bound.
 College students addressed surveys,
taken to local businesses on foot,
While considerations were made of where improvements could be put.
A bundle of ideas were shared back to back,
As Planning Commission staff worked hard to keep careful track.
Mayor Buckhorn's eyes -
How they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
Lisa Montelione's cheeks were like roses,
How pleased she was very!
To see the Terrace Park - University Square community drawn up like a bow,
Working the City, businesses and neighbors, deciding which way they should grow.
Soon the Vision Plan will be within reach,
With hopes it will encircle this neighborhood like a wreath.
There were drinks and snacks aplenty,
Provided by Busch Gardens to fill everyone's belly!
With everyone all in like a right jolly old elf,
I laughed working alongside neighbors, not all by myself!
A look at the optimism with a twist of my head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
We spoke of the future, and kept to our work,
Filling out comment cards without the help of a clerk.
Next, developing the draft Vision Plan may take some caffeine,
Giving a nod to the calendar in early 2013.
We sprang to our sleighs, and gave our team a whistle,
And away we all flew like the down of a thistle.
But we heard one exclaim, 'ere we drove out of sight,
"Happy Vision Planning to all, and to all, a good-night!"
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Plan Hillsborough 2040 with us!
Do you have a vision for the future of Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and Hillsborough County?
The Planning Commission and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are embarking on a joint effort to update our county's and three cities' Comprehensive Plans simultaneously with our countywide Long Range Transportation Plan. Several scenarios for the year 2040's growth and infrastructure will be drafted, and circulated for public comment later in the year. All who are interested in crafting the scenarios, checking the assumptions, and helping distribute an interactive survey are invited to join the Imagine 2040 Working Group. Or sign up for Imagine 2040 just to receive occasional email news about this important project, which will be on-going through 2013. To sign up, please click here to send us an email.
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Public opinion getting on board for rail transit
Just two years ago, Hillsborough County voters convincingly rejected a proposed sales tax hike to pay for a major investment in transit, including light rail for commuters. But after 18 months of of public opinion research and the Metropolitan Planning Organization's recent endorsement of exploration of funding lower-cost transportation improvements - a mix of transportation projects to include improved intersections, more bus service, safer sidewalks, crosswalks, and trails, as well as pilot rail and rapid bus projects as part of its next long range plan - there's been a great deal of media and public interest. 
Now, a new poll sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times, Bay News 9, and AM 820 News Tampa Bay suggests growing support for using public money for light rail mass transit. In Hillsborough County, Braun Research - a national firm based in Princeton, NJ - found 56% of those surveyed said "yes," 35% said "no," and 9% were unsure or declined to answer when asked if they "would be supportive of spending public or tax money to bring light rail mass transit to parts of the Tampa Bay area." With 60% in support in Pinellas County, officials are considering whether to place a referendum on public spending for mass transit on the 2014 ballot. "It creates job opportunities and helps get people to jobs," said Tampa resident Nadine Ellen Keris, 26. "It makes a city more accessible to tourists." Having grown up in Boston and attended college in Atlanta, she's seen the advantages of living in a city with rail firsthand, in two separate settings. 
The MPO and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn support a proposal to allow Florida's largest cities to opt out of state rules requiring sales tax referendums be held countywide. The 2010 referendum won support in much of the city, particularly in neighborhoods near proposed rail lines. The more recent poll results do not seem out of whack to Ray Chiaramonte, AICP, Executive Director of the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Planning Commission, who said, "Most communities that do this, it takes them two or three times to win public support." A group calling itself Connect Tampa Bay formed earlier this month to promote more options for transportation across the region, including rail. Kevin Thurman, a political consultant who is the group's executive director, said he believes this poll, combined with the survey results from the MPO, are showing a changing tide. "I think that we definitely have a significant shift in opinion in the area and people are ready to have this discussion again," Thurman said. Read Bill Varian's full article in the Tampa Bay Times.
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Economic Prosperity Stakeholder Committee issues recommendations
The Hillsborough County Commission created the Economic Prosperity Stakeholder Committee in March 2012. With their mission to examine the County's regulatory structure, their ultimate recommendations are intended to ease the burden and cost of regulatory oversight on economic development while maintaining the County's commitment to quality of life and responsible environmental stewardship. Chaired by Commissioner Sandra Murman and vice-chaired by Commissioner Lesley "Les" Miller, the group recently issued an extensive report with 30 recommendations on Economic Development/ Planning Recommendations and Regulatory Streamlining Recommendations. Click here to view a snapshot of these 30 recommendations, positioning the local government to be a champion of economic prosperity. These recommendations are a major step towards changing previous mindsets and achieving this goal. A presentation on the report will be made at the Planning Commission's January 14th meeting which can be viewed on HTV or via live webcast.
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FSU honors Tony LaColla
In November, as part of the 20th anniversary of the Peace Corps Masters International Program in Urban Planning, our own Tony LaColla was selected as the inaugural honoree of the Florida State University (FSU) Outstanding Returning Peace Corp Volunteer Award. Given to an FSU alum who exemplifies the goals of Peace Corps and mission of the Florida State University, Tony works in comprehensive planning, community planning, and historic preservation as senior planner with the Planning Commission. He is active in numerous professional organizations, serves as the Vice Chair of the American Planning Association's Gays and Lesbians in Planning Division, as well as the VP of Section Affairs for the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (FAPA). He has previously served as the president of the Suncoast section of FAPA and is currently the president of the Historic Ybor Neighborhood and Civic Association. Tony's passion for strong neighborhoods and vibrant communities combined with his longstanding commitment to the field of planning made him well qualified to receive this award. Congratulations, Tony!
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We're planning on painting a healthy & prosperous New Year with you!
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| Upcoming Events |
JAN 1New Year's Day
Offices Closed
Happy 2013!
JAN 14, 2pPlanning Commission Meeting immediately followed by a Budget Meeting JAN 14, 5:30p
Planning Commission Public Hearing JAN 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Offices Closed
For more information: 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.
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| Video Central |
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Feeling Good about Tampa Bay - music by Michael Buble
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