TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

South County Community Plan Is Looking Green

ADVERTISEMENT

By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

RUSKIN - Community members working to devise a vision for the area south of the Little Manatee River may want to think about new, greener ways of orchestrating their vision.

Stephen Griffin, an executive planner with The Planning Commission, told members of the Southside Community Plan Committee at a meeting last week that new state legislation calls for the county to find ways to reduce its carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gases.

"This community has a great opportunity because it is one of the last vestiges of large, open land," Griffin said. "People need to think a little bit outside the box."

Clustering elementary, middle and high schools is one way to accomplish that, some agreed. Others talked about the need for bus and train stations in the future, more hiking and biking trails and roads that interconnect.

The plan also likely will include wording on how to encourage farmers to keep their land in agriculture.

During the next meeting, scheduled for Jan. 27, the group will discuss community character and the creation of a town center.

"We already have the worst high density in the worst possible place, right up against the Little Manatee river," said resident Mike Houghtaling.

The committee will meet regularly through June, discussing every aspect of future growth.

The meetings are open to the public and held at the SouthShore Regional Service Center, 410 30th Street, Ruskin, from 6 to 8 p.m. To find out more , go to www.hccommun ityplanning.com.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT