1. Minor Subdivisions

By: Ronnie Blackshear, Principal Planner

Minor subdivision regulations will become effective on February 1, 2010. A minor subdivision (Figure 1), as defined by the Hillsborough County Land Development Code, is “a residential subdivision in a Rural Service Area with up to 10 lots that does not meet the Certified Parcel Subdivision requirements.”  According to the Code, a previously-approved minor subdivision may be further subdivided only if the total number of new and existing lots does not exceed 10.  Minor subdivisions must have access to a public street, and all lots within a minor subdivision must have driveway access to an easement, low-volume private road or a publicly-maintained road.

Figure 1

Prior to the minor subdivision regulations, residential lots could be created with little or no investment in improvements, such as roads, and the cost of those improvements would be deferred to homebuyers.  In certain cases now, the construction of a low-volume private road is required.  Still, overall costs of improvements are lower when compared to constructing essential improvements for all other types of subdivisions.  Moreover, a minor subdivision requires less staff time due to a shortened review of essential improvements such as road, drainage and emergency vehicle access. 

For more information on minor subdivisions, refer to Section 10.01.05 of the Land Development Code.

2. Home Based Businesses

By: Ronnie Blackshear, Principal Planner

A weakening economy signals that long-term job tenure is not a guarantee.  Moreover, many people are leaving the “traditional” workforce and venturing out on their own.  Home-based businesses have become viable options for displaced or traditional workers.  A home-based business is defined as “any activity conducted by a resident within a dwelling unit which results in a product or service for financial gain.” 

Hillsborough County has responded to this increasing need with amended regulations, providing a wider range of home-based businesses and enhanced zoning.  Permitted uses should be incidental to the use of the premises as a residence, compatible with residential uses in the area, limited in scale and intensity, and not detract from the residential character of the area.

There are two types of home-based businesses: residential and agricultural.  Agricultural home-based businesses are permitted in agricultural zoning districts.  They are more-intensive, allowing non-resident employees and greater floor area for business use. 

Residential home-based businesses are permitted in residential and agricultural zoning districts.  Multiple home-based businesses can reside on a single lot, providing that the combined uses meet all applicable limitations as if they were a single business.  These home-based business regulations became effective on October 1, 2009.  Complying with the regulations includes obtaining a home-based business Conditional Use permit.

For more information on home based businesses and obtaining a permit, refer to Sections 6.11.48 and 10.01.00 of the Land Development Code.

For additional information on zoning matters, visit the Planning/Zoning Division online.

3. Transportation Hillsborough

The Hillsborough County Commission is seeking your input on transportation projects that would be funded by a potential future one-cent transit sales tax. The Transportation Task Force has been meeting and seeking public input since 2008 to create a list of prioritized projects around the County.

The recommended projects include transit and non-transit projects, such as rail, bus rapid transit, road improvements, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements. The one-cent sales tax will be split 75 percent for transit and 25 percent for non-transit.