A long-standing land-use split at the Museum of Science and Industry site could move closer to being erased Monday as the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission considers a future land-use change for the publicly owned Fowler Avenue property.<\/p>\n
The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 on a proposed amendment to redesignate the entire MOSI parcel as Public and Semi-Public, aligning the site\u2019s land-use map with how the property has functioned for decades.<\/p>\n
The amendment covers roughly 11.25 acres at 4615 and 4801 East Fowler Avenue in Tampa\u2019s University area.<\/p>\n
What the amendment would change<\/p>\n
Today, the MOSI site carries two future land-use designations.<\/p>\n
About 6.17 acres are classified as Light Industrial, a category that allows manufacturing, research, office and similar uses but prohibits residential development. <\/p>\n
The remaining 5.08 acres already carry a Public and Semi-Public designation tied to MOSI\u2019s institutional role.<\/p>\n
READ: TAMPA BAY BUSINESS NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n The proposed change is intended to formally recognize the site\u2019s public ownership and long-established institutional function, according to staff.<\/p>\n Planning Commission staff found the request consistent with the Tampa Comprehensive Plan and recommended approval in a draft staff report.<\/p>\n Why the change is being proposed now<\/p>\n Staff analysis traces the split designation to the way Hillsborough County acquired the property in phases during the 1970s and 1980s, rather than to any shift in how the site operates.<\/p>\n MOSI has occupied the property as a public-serving cultural and educational institution since 1982. County records show the portion now labeled Light Industrial was purchased for future MOSI expansion and never developed for industrial use.<\/p>\n