Why are Developers requesting changes to “Energy Industrial Park”?

Dover - Hillsborough County / Comprehensive Plan Amendment 23-15

Unless you live in this area of the County, chances are you may not be familar with the MASSIVE 3,000 acre project on the south side of SR 60 between Dover Rd and Turkey Creek Rd…an area of the County that used to be about as far out as possible, but no longer is…

www.universityenergypark.com

The Energy Park was approved in 2010 (RZ 10-0692) with plans to add up to 5,000 jobs to the area focused on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and aquacultural activities. Owners are requesting to allow 30% of the non-energy uses to be developed before renewable energy is produced in order to generate some econmic boost and incentive for investors…

Now, Developers have requested changes to these approved plans to allow some activities to take place before the renewable enegy producing facilites are up and running as approved 14 years ago…

The reason why the developers want to implement these changes is part of the reason for the meeting being held at Mulrennan Middle School Feb 1st 6pm in room 912 as they are required to hold a community meeting.

My questions to them would be: How they define “Ancillary Commercial and Office Services”? Does that mean offices and housing for renewable energy resource staff and employees? Or does that mean a Wawa, Burger King, and Dollar General Store?

Why the need for these services before ANY renewable energy has been produced? Owner say they are looking for a financial boost to get investors interested. Problem is - what’s to say they don’t complete the offices, retail, and commercial part then wait another 15 years (or more) for the renewable energy part?

I’d suggest anyone interested to show up to this meeting…I don’t think Room 912 will be large enough based on the amount of questions I’ve answered about the EIP lately…