A Request for the Board to Put Residents Interests Above Special Interests and Rescind Their Vote

We, the undersigned residents, affected members of the Hillsborough County community, and supporters respectfully request that the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners rescind and revisit its August 13, 2026 approval of the proposed Dorman Road development.

The County expanded its Urban Service Area and substantially increased the residential development potential of approximately 190 rural acres, and residents contend that the amendments were not adequately supported by relevant and appropriate data and analysis concerning existing transportation infrastructure, fire/EMS capacity, emergency-response performance, and the cost and availability of the public facilities and services necessary to support the newly authorized urban development.

Our request is based on serious concerns regarding ethics, public safety, emergency response, fire and EMS capacity, transportation infrastructure, emergency access, development intensity, and consistency with Hillsborough County's adopted Comprehensive Plan.

Emergency response is not simply a matter of convenience. When a resident experiences a medical emergency, a house fire, or a serious crash, minutes can make a life-or-death difference.

If the existing emergency-response system is already failing to meet the applicable response-time benchmark in more than half of responses, what evidence did the County rely upon to determine that adding approximately 280 additional homes would not further compromise emergency-response times, fire protection, EMS availability, or emergency access for existing and future residents?

For well over a decade, Hillsborough County has recognized the need for transportation improvements in this rapidly developing area. Yet no significant transportation and safety improvements have been made to accommodate current residents and first responders. How can the County determine that an additional 280-home development can be adequately served when the County's own Lithia Pinecrest Corridor Improvement project is still studying the roadway's current and future capacity and safety needs, with construction not yet scheduled?

The proposed development would also represent a substantial increase in development intensity—from an agricultural/rural property contemplated for approximately 38 homes to a proposal for approximately 280 homes. As well as create a non contingent portion due to encompassing a potentially aggrieved party that has been under the impression  it would stay zoned appropriately under the comprehensive plan as Agricultural Rural. 

We are concerned that this substantial increase in density and intensity will place additional demands on roads, intersections, emergency services, fire and EMS response, and other public infrastructure that must already serve the surrounding community.

The Florida Community Planning Act requires development orders to be consistent with the applicable adopted comprehensive plan.

We therefore respectfully ask the Board to conduct a further review of whether the August 13, 2026 development approval adequately considered these existing conditions and whether the approved increase in development intensity is consistent with the applicable policies and requirements of Hillsborough County's Comprehensive Plan.

We respectfully request that the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners: 

1. Rescind and revisit the August 13, 2026 approval;
2. Conduct a comprehensive review of the project's existing and projected fire, EMS, and emergency-response impacts;
3. Evaluate whether existing emergency-response performance and fire/EMS capacity are adequate to serve the additional population generated by the proposed development;
4. Evaluate the project's impact on Dorman Road, Boyette Road, Lithia Pinecrest Road, surrounding intersections, and emergency access;
5. Review whether the increased density and intensity of development are consistent with the applicable Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan policies;
6. Make available to the public the evidence and analysis relied upon in determining that the proposed development can be adequately served by existing public-safety and transportation infrastructure; and
7. Take whatever additional action is necessary to ensure that the health, safety, and interests of existing and future Hillsborough County residents are protected.
   
   

By signing below, we are asking our elected representatives to reconsider the August 13, 2026 decision and protect residents by establishing adequate infrastructure for existing residents that can pass a comprehensive safety review before considering new development. 

*If you live in Hillsborough County, please indicate this in your petition comment by writing “RESIDENT.”
If you support the request but do not live in Hillsborough County, please write “SUPPORTER.”