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Developing implementation strategies to transform the Riverview Downtown District Working Committee's vision into a reality was the goal of the ninth Riverview Downtown District Working Committee Meeting.
Approximately 21 community members attended the meeting hosted by Hillsborough County Planning & Growth Management Department (HCPGMD), the Community-Based Planning Section, which is leading the implementation project for the Riverview Downtown District.
According to Principal Planner Carmen Telesca, an employee of the HCPGMD, the implementation strategies include an amendment to The Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use and the creation of new overlay and special zoning districts into the Land Development Code (LDC). These Comprehensive Plan and LDC Amendments are to be considered for presentation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in 2009. The rezoning process will include future opportunities for residents to provide input into the proposed changes.
The Riverview Downtown District Working Committee, which includes Riverview residents, representatives, property and business owners, with assistance from the Planning and Growth Management Department in partnership with the Planning Commission staff, has identified three focus areas in the Riverview Downtown District which include The Uptown, The Downtown and the Riverwalk area (see conceptual map).
Telesca indicated The Uptown area is preferred to be an overlay with guidelines to improve the visual appearance of development along U.S. Hwy. 301 without changing the existing allowable uses.
The Downtown and Riverwalk areas are preferred to be mixed-use (residential and commercial) business areas with street connectivity, residential density (residential units per area of residential use), orientation and placement of homes and businesses and street designs that work for people and cars. It is intended to be a unique place for shopping, entertainment and attractions, said Telesca.
Telesca also revealed that the Riverwalk area (south of Alafia River) is preferred to provide public access to the river. A private developer has proposed a project compatible to the community's vision for the area. In order for such development to come to fruition, the land use density needs to increase, said Telesca.
Based on a document provided by the HCPGMD at the meeting, the future land use changes are as follows: Downtown West from suburban mixed use (SMU)-6 to community mixed use (CMU)-12, Riverwalk West from SMU-6 to CMU-12, and Riverwalk East from Residential-6 to Residential-9.
Vincent Crane, a Riverview resident for the past 20 years, said the Working Committee had to make a series of comprises he thinks the community will like. "I am not certain how residents will react given the rezoning changes," he indicated. "We wanted to keep the area as much residential as possible."
For more information, contact Telesca at 272-5828.
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