Residents Vow to Continue Opposition as FishHawk Area Expansion Advances to State Review

LITHIA, FL – June 12, 2026 – Residents from FishHawk, Lithia, Valrico, and surrounding communities expressed disappointment after the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted to transmit Comprehensive Plan Amendments CPA 26-05 and CPA 26-06 for state review, advancing a proposal that would expand the Urban Service Area (USA) and increase residential density on approximately 190 acres near Dorman Road.

The proposal would change the property's future land use designation from Agricultural/Rural (1 dwelling unit per 5 acres) to Residential-2, allowing substantially greater residential density than currently permitted.

The vote does not constitute final approval. The amendments will now be reviewed by state agencies before returning to the Board of County Commissioners for a final adoption hearing.

Commissioners Christine Miller and Donna Cameron Cepeda voted against transmitting the amendments, while Commissioners Chris Boles, Harry Cohen, Ken Hagan, Gwen Myers, and Joshua Wostal voted in favor.

During the public hearing, residents voiced concerns that transportation infrastructure, emergency access, school traffic, and public services have not kept pace with decades of growth in the FishHawk area.

According to U.S. Census data, the FishHawk area grew from approximately 1,991 residents and 798 housing units in 2000 to more than 24,600 residents and 7,700 housing units by 2020. Residents argued that major transportation corridors serving the area have struggled to accommodate that growth.

Many speakers focused on Lithia Pinecrest Road, one of the primary north-south corridors serving the community. Residents noted that discussions regarding widening the corridor have continued for well over a decade while congestion has steadily increased.

Community members also questioned whether future infrastructure projects should be used to justify additional growth when existing infrastructure is already operating under significant strain.

Supporters of the proposal pointed to planned infrastructure investments, including the widening of Lithia Pinecrest Road and intersection improvements at Lithia Pinecrest Road and County Road 39.

Residents countered that many of those improvements remain years, or even a decade, away from completion and argued that growth should follow infrastructure rather than precede it.

"This was never about opposing growth forever," said FishHawk resident Melissa Sharma, who spoke during the hearing. "The concern is sequencing. Infrastructure should come first. Growth should follow."

Residents described daily traffic conditions affecting commuters, school families, bicyclists, pedestrians, and emergency responders. Several speakers noted that transportation challenges have become a quality-of-life issue for thousands of residents throughout the Lithia and FishHawk communities.

Emergency response concerns were also raised during the hearing. Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda cited concerns regarding emergency vehicles already struggling to navigate congestion in the area as part of her rationale for voting against the proposal.

Residents additionally pointed to findings from the Hillsborough County Planning Commission, which previously determined that the proposed Urban Service Area expansion was not consistent with adopted planning policies.

Community members say they will continue participating in the review process and plan to provide comments during the next phase of consideration.

"We appreciate everyone who took the time to speak, write letters, submit comments, and participate in the process," said Erica Taylor. "Although the proposal advanced, the review is not complete. We remain committed to advocating for infrastructure, safety, and responsible planning before additional density is approved."

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