The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that would allow up to a maximum of 107 homes on a 43.5-acre site in Land O’ Lakes.
The property is on the north side of Dogpatch Lane, about 390 feet west of Joy Drive, and abutting Joy Drive, about 690 feet north of Dogpatch Drive.
As a condition of approval, Attorney Barbara Wilhite said her client has agreed to install one 8-foot-wide sidewalk, heading north to south through the subdivision, to provide a safe place for students to walk to school. Normally, a 5-foot-wide sidewalk would be required.
The rezoning, approved unanimously by the county board at its Aug. 9 meeting, changed the zoning from agricultural and agricultural-residential designations to a master-planned unit development.
County planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission had recommended approval of the request, deeming it to be consistent with the county’s long-range plan and land development code.
The county board’s approval came despite objections from area residents who raised concerns about potential impacts on wildlife and the prospect for additional traffic on Lake Patience Road.
Prior to the board’s vote, Debbie Moore, who lives nearby, told commissioners: “You guys don’t know this land at all. You haven’t walked it.”
She said she lives on 6 acres and her neighbors live on 20 acres.
“We have wetlands all around us,” she said. “You guys need to go see the area.
“You’re not considering the wildlife,” she added.
Cathryn Baxter Polonitza who lives in a nearby subdivision urged the county board to reject the request.
She said she’d gathered a petition with about 100 signatures of people opposing the proposed development.
She also noted that many area residents were unaware of the request.
Wilhite said the rezoning request was properly noticed.
Pat Rubrecht and other area residents raised concerns about adding traffic to Lake Patience Road, which they said is already dangerous.
Wilhite told the county board that this project is consistent with what the county envisions in its long-range plan.
The density also complies with the plan. The development also will be served by county water and sewer, the attorney said.
During the discussion, Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told county staff that she’d like an update regarding the potential for adding a traffic signal at the intersection of Lake Patience Road and U.S. 41.
Published August 17, 2022
