By Tamas Mondovics
Bloomingdale and Valrico area residents had a chance to meet their newly installed Hillsborough County Development Services Department Director, Adam Gormly, during a recent informal “meet and greet” open house.
The event, held at Bloomingdale Regional Library’s brand new meeting room in Valrico, was the third installment of a series of such meetings arranged by the County that gave residents and other interested persons a chance to meet not only Gormly, but his leadership team as well.
County officials said that the purpose of the “meet and greet” is for the community to hear information straight from the head of the Development Services Center regarding priorities and future goals for the department, as well as become acquainted with Development Services key staff.
The meeting promised all a chance to learn about the County’s development process and resources available to facilitate obtaining necessary reviews, licenses, permits and inspections.
Gormly’s appointment was a result of Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill’s recent memorandum to the Board of County Commission (BOCC) detailing organizational changes, which included new leadership positions that he said were needed in county government.
Gormly told the handful of residents in attendance that he began his new position in May, emphasizing his 17 years of experience in all areas of planning and development including a broad range of land use issues. As a member of the Florida Bar and board certified in City, County and Local Government Law, Gormly has been serving as a County Attorney.
Once Gormly opened the floor to the public for some input, residents were eager to direct the discussions and hoped for some answers pertaining to area road work, traffic congestion and, not surprisingly, the now infamous Bloomingdale Big Box and residential complex development project. Gormly confirmed that the Big Box development is moving forward as it had been planned all along, when he said, “The site plan, construction approval has not changed and construction is still valid. The lawsuit filed against Hillsborough County and Bloomingdale Red Cast LLC., has been dismissed.”
Most of the road and traffic related questions went to County Director of Transportation Planning and Development, Mike Williams, although the answers seemed a bit short, doubtful and mostly unclear. “There are no plans to widen Bloomingdale Ave.,” Williams told one resident, only to add that the public will have a chance to share their input on what they want to see happen with future road work.
For more information, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org.
