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Extending 'No Fee Zone' Considered

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

UNIVERSITY AREA - Hillsborough County commissioners will consider renewing for two years a "no fee zone" designation of the area west of the University of South Florida.

The designation allows builders and developers to avoid paying road and right-of-way way impact fees, and water and sewer capacity fees. It encourages construction of homes and businesses in the blighted area.

The University Area received the designation Oct. 27, 2003; it expired Oct. 26.

The area also is a state "enterprise zone," which means businesses that move to or expand in the community are eligible for tax credits.

County staffers are preparing a proposal to extend the designation for two years, said assistant county attorney Adam Gormly. County commissioners might consider the matter Nov. 12, at which time they could schedule a public hearing. That hearing could take place at the commission's Dec. 17 meeting, Gormly said.

The dates will be finalized after county officials assess the financial effects.

Last week the commissioners voted 5-0 to have staffers prepare an extension ordinance for consideration. A staff report given to the commissioners states: "The USF area is still considered a distressed zone and is targeted for redevelopment. The combination of the Enterprise Zone and the No Fee Zone are factors in drawing projects to the area for this redevelopment."

It also states the area had 200 new businesses open in the 2008 fiscal year, which resulted in 756 new jobs.

Eight geographic areas were proclaimed no fee zones. All but the USF area's designation expired in June 2006.

Julian Garcia, executive director of University Area Community Development Corp., said the organization that seeks to redevelop the community supports an extension.

"It, along with the enterprise zone designation, has attracted a lot of new businesses to the area. This area had been stagnant for many years."

Visit www.hillsborough county.org/pgm/impactfees/ nofee.cfm for information.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851. Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851.

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