Tama Forward initiative logo. Courtesy of city of Tampa.
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As Tampa Forward works towards their “Building Tomorrow Together” initiatives, city members took the time to update their decades old Land Development Code. During the meeting, community members were given the chance to speak on any personal matters related to the new development.
Officials discussed sustainability, tree canopy preservation, housing choices, and the protection of historic buildings.
Abby Feeley, the Administrator for Development and and Economic Opportunities, spoke on these concerns.
“So this is one thing we have really been committed to looking at, because it does save our existing building inventory, and it does protect the character of our neighborhoods, and it also is environmentally sensitive as well.”
Tampa Forward has begun moving on from its planning phase and into the next installments. This includes the approval of development, to their code and subdivision standards.
The reasoning behind the land development code updates stems from these plans, paired with the intent of becoming more user-friendly and easily understandable for locals.
With the city moving further towards modernization, their updates to decades old zoning and land use documents reflect that.
Eric Cotton, the Development Coordination Manager and Zoning Administrator commented on their plans for an introduction of a mixed-use category.
“…they have restaurants, they have shops, they have like an urban grocery store downstairs, and above that is residential use…”
Cotton says this will encourage walkability, rather than the constant need to drive.
You can find more information at Tampa.gov/TampaForward. They will be hosting another meeting Monday, June 8, at the Barksdale Community Center from 6:30-7:30 pm.