At their meeting Monday, Feb. 9, city commissioners voted to approve a number of rezoning ordinances throughout the city, which could make way for further development and economic opportunities.
A legislative public hearing on an ordinance to revise the zoning of the airport industrial district and expand the list of permitted uses was held. The additional uses are: business park facilities, businesses requiring outdoor storage, non-on-site service businesses and industrial-related support.
Phillip Scearce, director of planning and zoning, said the amendment would streamline the process for new developments.
Commissioners also approved two sites to be rezoned as M-1A (Light Industrial District). These are four parcels totaling 35 acres on the west side of South County Line Road, just south of Fancy Farms Roads; and another four parcels totaling 71 acres at the same intersection and corner.
Though the commissioners approved these ordinances unanimously, during the time for public comment, Corlene Finley expressed her disapproval.
“Plant City is like a cancer that spreads its developmental tentacles far and wide,” Finley said to the commissioners. “Plant City is a stressful town, and you made it so.”
Another ordinance approved the Hitchcock Corners Planned Development District, to be used for indoor recreational facilities.
Hitchcock Corners comprises two warehouse-style buildings along Hitchcock Street south of East Alabama Street. These buildings can now serve purposes such as gymnastics studios, cheer facilities, bounce houses and other recreational businesses.
“I think this opens up an opportunity, especially some of our warehouses that are vacant,” Mayor Rick Lott said.
A gymnastics and cheer facility located in the south building will be allowed to continue there.
Midtown
The commission voted Monday to approve an ordinance amending a section of the city code regarding sale of alcoholic beverages within the Midtown District.
As Midtown is currently zoned, bars, liquor stores and bottle clubs are not allowed. But the amendment will allow grocery stores and convenience stores to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption. It also allows restaurants to sell any beverages, regardless of alcoholic content.
“(Alcohol) is not what made Plant City great,” resident Bill Hoeft said. “That is not what will keep Plant City great.”
Commissioner Bill Dodson said the goal of the amendment is to keep Midtown consistent with its surrounding areas.
In Other News
• There will be a public hearing Monday, Feb. 23, on a proposed ordinance that would permit film production within the city limits.
• County employees will host four public workshops this spring at HCC Plant City regarding specific transportation concerns. For more information, visit GoHillsborough.org.
• The Florida Department of Transportation awarded the City of Plant City for its traffic safety efforts in 2014, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection presented an award to the Plant City Water System for excellent operations.
