The Strategic Planning Environmental and Research Division is responsible for a number of policy, data, strategic planning, and place-based initiatives in Hillsborough County.
The division develops and maintains the environmental and infrastructure elements of the Comprehensive Plans of all four jurisdictions in Hillsborough County. This includes the following elements: Conservation and Aquifer Recharge, Coastal Management, Potable Water, Wastewater, Stormwater Management, Solid Waste and Capital Improvements.
In addition, relevant components of the Future Land Use Element affected by the environmental or infrastructure issues are also included. Pursuant to the activities described above, the team reviews all items requiring a consistency determination with each of these plan elements, such as Tampa Port Authority permits, other environmental reviews, Long Range and Master Plans, and amendments to the projects of the four Capital Improvements Elements.
The division produces demographic and economic data that underlie the four comprehensive plans for Hillsborough County’s four jurisdictions and the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Long Range Transportation Plans.
The data is produced in raw form for use within the agency’s various projection models, and it is also produced in printed publications for use by the public. Within the area of economic data, the group provides assistance, as requested, to communities and other organizations in Hillsborough County. This support ranges from the provision of data to the conduct of surveys to the analysis of trends.
The division also works to create and develop long-range innovative planning initiatives to enhance the quality of life for all the citizens of Hillsborough County. The division works in areas that include policy initiatives (infill, redevelopment and transitional areas, study of potential expansion of the Urban Service Area, mixed use development and corridors, climate adaption strategies, land use and transportation coordination, health and comprehensive planning and community planning), special area studies, enhanced research capabilities and succession planning.
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Shawn College, AICP, Division Director, Responsible for environmental planning, hazard mitigation/emergency management, serves as Executive Director of the Hillsborough River Board, and supervises infrastructure planning, demographics and research, 813/547-3367 colleges@plancom.org
Melissa Dickens, AICP, Strategic Planning and Policy Manager, Responsible for overseeing strategic planning, policy development, and utilities/capital improvements planning, 813/756-0355 dickensm@plancom.org
Jay Collins, AICP, Special Area Studies Manager, Responsible for overseeing collaborative efforts between Plan Hillsborough’s staff and the many planning partners within Hillsborough County in developing, undertaking and implementing special studies, 813/582-7335 collinsj@plancom.org
Yassert Gonzalez, Economics, Demographics and Research Manager, Responsible for special studies related to fiscal, economic policy and demographics, the agency’s population estimates and projections, and other related research efforts, 813/582-7356 gonzalezy@plancom.org
Katrina Corcoran, AICP, Senior Planner, Responsible for assistance with transportation-related policy, strategic plan implementation, and special area studies. 813/582-7323 corcorank@plancom.org
Sofia Garantiva, AICP, Senior Planner, Responsibilities include special area studies project management, 813/582-7320 garantivas@plancom.org
Diego Guerra, Senior Planner, Responsible for infrastructure, utilities and capital improvements planning, assists with environmental planning, and the Hillsborough River Board, 813/793-2384 guerrad@plancom.org
Alvaro Gabaldon, Planner II, Responsibilities include special area studies, project management, and housing, 813/582-7349 gabaldona@plancom.org
Brynn Dauphinais, Planner I, Responsibilities include strategic planning, Parks and Recreation and other Comprehensive Planning, 813/386-5981 dauphinaisb@plancom.org.