Commission approves adding Fort Hamer interchange to corridor preservation map

On April 13, 2026 the Planning Commission considered HC/CPA 26-11, a publicly initiated comprehensive-plan text amendment to add the proposed Fort Hamer interchange to the county's Corridor Preservation Plan Map. Staff explained that the interchange location has appeared in the Transportation Planning Organization's long-range plan as an unfunded need and that the project recently received legislative funding for a study to identify alignments.

Staff emphasized that the corridor map designation guides future right-of-way preservation and that wetlands, wildlife habitat and coordination with the Environmental Protection Commission and FDOT will be required during engineering and permitting. The EPC had commented that wetlands and habitat are present in the general area and recommended mitigation and coordination, but did not object to the map amendment. Staff concluded HC/CPA 26-11 is consistent with capital improvement, mobility and community plan objectives that support regional connectivity and infrastructure planning.

The commission voted unanimously to find the text amendment consistent and recommended its adoption, noting the change clarifies corridor preservation priorities pending later engineering, environmental study and funding decisions.