C12.03 - Bishop Road School Site Update: Evaluation of Consistency and Appeal (Operations Division).
Hillsborough County Public Schools sought approval from Hillsborough County and the Planning Commission to construct a new elementary and middle school on vacant property located south of State Route 674, east of US 301, and north of Bishop Road, Wimauma, Hillsborough County, Florida on 62.3 acres (folio numbers: 79537.0000 and 079546.0500).
The School District formally requested an evaluation of consistency of the proposed elementary and middle school sites per Section 3.3.2 of the School Facilities Planning, Siting and Concurrency Interlocal Agreement (ILA) on January 6, 2020. Hillsborough County issued a letter requesting additional information. On January 28, 2020, the School District replied to this request.
On March 13, 2020, the District submitted an additional package to the County and Planning Commission providing the following outstanding information requested by the County, which included an agreed upon transportation methodology, additional wastewater & portable water data, and an onsite queuing graphic.
On April 4, 2020, the Superintendent submitted a Comprehensive Transportation Study requested by the County consistent with the methodology agreed upon by School District’s Growth Management Department and the Hillsborough County’s Public Works Department. This study identifies the transportation deficiencies that will occur in this area due to both residential growth and the proposed elementary and middle school.
On May 26, 2020, the Planning Commission submitted a letter stating that Planning Commission staff is unable to render a consistency finding because confirmation that adequate infrastructure being in place at the time needed for school construction could not be determined at this time.
On May 28, 2020, the County submitted an Evaluation of Consistency Request per the ILA stating that the necessary traffic infrastructure required by the schools was not in place or funded to be in place at the time of the opening of the schools. Therefore, finding the site inconsistent with the ILA.
On June 25, 2020, the School District submitted a Notice of Appeal regarding the County’s Evaluation of Consistency for the Bishop Road Site. Per the ILA, the appeal is heard by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). In the appeal, staff stated that the Superintendent and County Administrator should meet prior to the scheduling of a BOCC appeal hearing be in hopes of coming to a resolution regarding the infrastructure needs.
This item is for informational purposes only to outline the current state of the Bishop Road site. The lack of transportation infrastructure and funding throughout the South County area where new schools are required will prevent the School District from fulfilling its obligation to build new schools to house students, which will result in overcrowding and potential safety issues.
The District has quickly modified the tentative 5-year work plan and modifying school designs to open PK-8 “UU” in Wasterset (previously planned for elementary “E”) in August 2022 in lieu of Middle School “UU” due to this inconsistency finding. The Waterset site was previously approved by the County through a Development of Regional Impact. The new PK-8 will not fulfill the total need for middle school seats, so staff will continue to locate sites. However, more school are needed in this area, and with no infrastructure or funding planned in the future, the District will be unable to build new schools.
* Establish a strong foundation of financial stewardship
* Construct and maintain facilities that create an environment conducive to teaching and learning
Amber K. Dickerson, General Manager, Growth Management, amber.dickerson@sdhc.k12.fl.us, 813-272-4896
There is no financial impact to the District.