Gina Michalicka

The 2040 Comprehensive Plan for Hernando County defines the community's vision and establishes goals, objectives, and policies to guide decision-making. Designed to be dynamic and adaptable, it includes elements such as Future Land Use, Intergovernmental Coordination, Economic Development, Housing, Transportation, Utilities, Recreation & Open Space, Public School Facilities, Capital Improvement, Conservation, Coastal Management, and Property Rights. The plan also incorporates updates and reviews from state agencies, ensuring its ongoing relevance and compliance.

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Fiscal Years 2027-2031 outlines the strategic direction for the Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization, covering Citrus and Hernando counties and their municipalities. Its primary purpose is to identify, prioritize, and fund multi-modal transportation projects, consistent with the Long-Range Transportation Plan. Key investment priorities include enhancing safety, preserving infrastructure (bridges and pavements), improving system performance and freight movement, and managing transit assets and safety. The plan aims to reduce congestion, contribute to FDOT's Vision Zero goal for eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries, and ensure a coordinated approach to regional transportation development through collaboration with various stakeholders and regional partners.

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for the Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) outlines the planning priorities and activities for State Fiscal Years 2026/2027 through 2027/2028. This document acts as a roadmap for a Continuing, Cooperative, and Comprehensive (3C) transportation planning process, aiming to address population growth and revenue challenges. Key objectives include enhancing safety, supporting economic development, ensuring mobility, maintaining intermodal systems, preserving livability and resilient infrastructure, and effectively implementing transportation projects. The plan details tasks such as Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) development, Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) management, administration, data development, special projects, and regional coordination.

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Hernando/Citrus metropolitan planning area outlines a five-year plan to identify, prioritize, select, and fund multi-modal transportation projects for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. The plan emphasizes key investment priorities including enhancing safety through infrastructure improvements and behavioral safety programs, preserving the transportation system via bridge and pavement projects, and improving system performance, mobility, and freight movement through various corridor and intersection upgrades, managed lanes, and transit system enhancements. It also focuses on maintaining transit assets in a state of good repair and supporting transit safety, aligning with federal and state guidelines and the Long-Range Transportation Plan.

The commission held a public hearing regarding a comprehensive plan amendment and a request for a zoning change from recreational to multi-family residential for a property within the Wellington at Seven Hills golf course community. The applicant discussed the project's compatibility and density, while numerous residents expressed strong opposition. Key concerns raised by the public included potential spot zoning, the negative impact on the character and integrity of an established 55-and-over retirement community, threats to property values, security concerns, and the loss of recreational green space.