Residents' Comments Studied by Group

By Lisa Kane DeVitto, Member
Davis Islands Neighborhood Planning Task Force

On June 3rd, the Davis Islands Neighborhood Planning Task Force held its first Kick-Off Meeting for stakeholders at the Davis Islands Baptist Church.

The purpose of the Kick-Off Meeting was to introduce all Davis Islands residents to the planning process, provide information on Davis Islands, and solicit suggestions on what should be included in the Davis Island Neighborhood Plan, that will hopefully one day be adopted by the City Council.

City Planning staffs were on hand to assist and to answer questions. Many Davis Island residents volunteered as facilitators, and approximately 153 persons attended.

Out of all those attending, 43 persons, or 28 percent of the total, submitted written comments.

All the written comments, and the verbal comments recorded by the facilitators, were summarized by the Task Force members at a later meeting on the evening of June 10th.

These initial comments will serve as the foundation for the topics and starting points to consider in the Neighborhood Plan process.

Frequently Asked Questions

There were a number of "frequently asked questions " at the Kick-Off Meeting about what the planning process is and who is involved:

What is the Davis Island Neighborhood Planning Task Force?

This group, made up of volunteers from Davis Islands, has been authorized by the City Council to develop a long-range plan for the future of our neighborhood.

Over the next year or so, this task force of volunteers will solicit community input, consult with professional planners, facilitate the development of a community consensus, and create a written Neighborhood Plan document.

If the Plan is approved by 75 percent of residents in a future Davis Islands poll, it can be submitted to the City Council for adoption.

Is the Davis Island Neighborhood Planning Task Force part of either the Civic Association or the Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce?

The Task Force is a time-limited grass-roots group authorized by the City Council -- it is separate from the Civic Association or the Chamber of Commerce, which are two local non-profit membership organizations on the Island.

Both the Civic Association, and the Davis Islands Chamber, however, have been very supportive and encouraging of the planning effort, and members of these organizations are participating in the Task Force efforts, also.

The Task Force volunteer members are Lee Medart, Lorraine Smith, Shelia Spicola, Dennis Cavanaugh, Jeffery Siewert, Henry Gill, Charner Reese, Renae Tvedt, Lisa DeVitto and alternate, Kathy Walsh.

The City provides professional planning assistance, staff members, and information, and a small budget. The members of the Task Force are charged with the responsibility of holding meetings, and soliciting participation from all residents and stakeholders on Davis Islands.

What is a Neighborhood Plan?

In the City of Tampa, a neighborhood has the ability to develop an official "neighborhood plan,” that can be proposed to City Council, and adopted as a part of the Comprehensive Planning process. It is essentially a long-range plan, vision, and outline, which the City can consider in making specific decisions.

Neighborhood plans are not binding on the City, but they are influential, and the City usually considers a neighborhood plan when there are decisions to be made about rezoning requests, or in allocating funds for capital improvements.

Also, while the Neighborhood Plan itself is not a rezoning or a binding land use plan, the Neighborhood Plan can serve as the neighborhood's recommendations on rezoning or overlay plans for action by the City, or other official City actions concerning land use and other issues.

Examples of elements that can be included in a neighborhood plan include: housing issues, such as beautification, code conformance, gardens, and landscaping; historic preservation; land-use compatibility; recommendations for setbacks; community facilities, such as community centers, pools, libraries, schools, parks; traffic control and management, parking, speed bumps, bike lanes, turn lanes, visibility, just to name a few.

What can I do to be involved in the Planning Process?

You can participate in the public meetings the Task Force will hold over the next few months to work towards a plan for Davis Islands that the community can support.

Please look for notices of open townhall meetings and the working task force meetings -- everyone is welcome.

In addition to appearing on this website, meeting notices will be posted at business locations in the Davis Islands Village (business district) and also at City Hall. Dates when appropriate will be published in the Davis Islands News.

Consider serving, join the volunteers! Remember, the Neighborhood Plan will only be successful when it reflects the desires of the community -- this is a great opportunity to shape Davis Islands for the future, and to continue the quality of life that most residents came here to enjoy.

Please be sure to participate in some way in this planning process, even if you only attend one meeting, or fill out a questionnaire.

For more information, watch for published notices, or contact Lee Medart, (813) 254-7204 or P.O. Box 1722, Tampa, Fl 33601-1722, or email diplan@dineighborhoodplan.org

Residents study map at Kick-Off event.

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