For 54 years, I have lived in Brandon, a vibrant part of Hillsborough County, and in that time, I have witnessed significant growth. I've seen increasing traffic congestion that clogs our streets, making our daily commutes frustrating and our areas less safe for children. Due to unchecked development, Brandon's once quaint charm and historical neighborhoods are being disrupted by the sudden incursion of wildlife, such as coyotes, into our yards—an occurrence unheard of until recently.

Now, the Hillsborough County School Board plans to lease land next to McLane Middle School (site of the original Brandon High School, circa 1914)  in a pilot effort to provide affordable housing for up to 150 staff members. While the intention may seem to be a well-meaning effort to support teachers and support staff who meet financial need criteria, it raises several pressing concerns for our community. The 55-year contract proposed offers priority to school district employees as renters but does not limit the spaces to employees.  District staff have mentioned they have no intent to "get into the housing business," turning over the property to an outside entity that would then operate on county property with an apparent lack of oversight.  This project will exacerbate Brandon's existing issues with severe traffic congestion and the further destruction of essential wildlife habitats.

Traffic in Hillsborough County, particularly around Brandon, has reached critical levels, straining infrastructure that is already insufficient. Brandon’s road systems were not designed to handle the kind of traffic we are experiencing today, and this proposal only promises to worsen the situation.

Moreover, the environmental impact cannot be ignored. Our neighborhoods are encroaching on natural habitats, forcing wildlife such as coyotes into close proximity with human homes, posing a risk not only to pets and children but also to the delicate balance of our local ecosystem. 

With more than 23,000 employees, the school district is one of the largest employers in Hillsborough County. Limiting an affordable housing project to a pilot in Brandon would serve a tiny fraction of eligible employees, a benefit that would not outweigh the cost to infrastructure as well as historical and ecological preservation. Instead, the school district could collaborate with the Board of County Commissioners to partner with existing apartment complex owners county-wide to encourage and enable them to offer reduced rent to district employees.  This would provide housing relief on a large scale without creating additional traffic and further endangering our rapidly diminishing green spaces and historically significant buildings and neighborhoods.   

Please join me in voicing our concerns and protecting both our community’s infrastructure and its wildlife. We must ensure that any development efforts do not overshadow the needs of existing residents or the natural environment that makes Brandon unique. Coyotes in the yard serve the same purpose as canaries in a coal mine; both are warnings that should not be ignored.  Sign this petition to ask the Hillsborough County School Board to explore more sustainable solutions that respect our history, environment, and infrastructure capabilities.