Progress

The design is moving forward. The 60% design plans have been completed. A public information meeting was held on November 17, 2008.

The project was on hold while Hillsborough County pursued the feasibility of the Fawn Ridge optional alignment. In response to nearby residents and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (HCEPC) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have reviewed a conceptual permit application. They have determined that a permit can not be issued for the optional alignment (see information page for alignment) because the impacts to the conservation easement are too severe. In addition, federal and state regulations require agencies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate, in that order, impacts on important resources when conducting projects, unless there is no other option. The optional alignment near Fawn Ridge neither avoids nor minimizes impacts on the conservation easement. Since there is another option that will avoid and minimize impacts, the permitting agencies are not able to permit the optional alignment.

Based on the decision by the permitting agencies, and still recognizing the impacts on the residents of Fawn Ridge, the BOCC has approved the recommended alignment with four commitments to address concerns of Fawn Ridge residents:

1. Eliminate sidewalk on the south side and provide wider sidewalk on north side which shifts the alignment away from homes (near Fawn Ridge only)
2. Provide landscaping @ $100,000 per mile, concentrated near residences
3. Provide 2-foot berm with landscaping on top
4. Provide decorative fence with plantings