Hillsborough County Eyes Urban Expansion South

Hillsborough County officials are studying the potential for development in the largely rural Little Manatee South area, south of Apollo Beach and Gibsonton. The region features wetlands and pastures.

The county's planning commission will present its final recommendation to the County Commission as early as January 2027. No decisions have been made. The County Commission holds the ultimate authority.

Commissioners initiated the study in March 2024 to assess how population growth might shape the area and gauge resident sentiment. The county's urban service area, designated for intense construction and infrastructure like wider roads and sewer pipes, currently includes Ruskin but stops short of Little Manatee South and the neighboring community of Sundance.

Planning commission staff conducted public meetings earlier this year, with the latest series concluding Saturday, Oct. 5, 2026.

Separately, the Florida Department of Transportation is studying the feasibility of a new I-75 interchange in Little Manatee South, allocating $7.5 million for the study. This interchange would connect to Fort Hamer Road, a four-lane highway planned to extend north from Manatee County.

In July, Hillsborough commissioners voted to designate a significant parcel of land for this interchange, preventing conflicting development in the study area. This state-led project is distinct from the county's urban service area boundary study, which aims to manage growth from the Tampa Bay region.

If the planning commission recommends expanding the urban service area, the county would then enter a six-to-nine-month rezoning process for Little Manatee South. The DOT's interchange study includes environmental impact assessments and requires multi-year coordination with local governments.

Both the county's urban service area study and the state's interchange feasibility study acknowledge expected future growth and development in the region.