• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

A new outlet mall could bring in more shoppers

March 7, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

But Sierra Club says developers must “build responsibly”

 

By B.C. Manion

 

News of a potential outlet mall in Wesley Chapel is being greeted warmly by some, but is not yet being embraced by environmentalists.

Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher said he recently spoke with representatives of Simon Property Group and The Richard E. Jacobs Group about plans for an outlet mall on a portion of the Cypress Creek Town Center site near Interstate 75 in Wesley Chapel.

Simon Property Group, the world’s largest outlet-mall developer, is interested in developing an upscale outlet center, Gallagher said.

The Richard E. Jacobs Group owns the site just north of the Hillsborough County line, which was approved for Cypress Creek Town Center in 2007 but has since been mired in legal controversy over environmental concerns.

Gallagher said representatives told him they’re waiting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reissue a permit for the project, and they asked to proceed with submitting site plans while they await approval.

“I told them yes,” Gallagher said, noting the representatives said they would not add density or intensity to the project.

The developers did not respond to requests for information.

The outlet mall would add to the county’s tax base, bring in sales tax revenues and generate jobs, Gallagher said.

Another plus? “It rounds out the shopping experience in that area,” he said, noting an outlet center would likely draw from a 50- to 60-mile area.

Greg Lenners, general manager of The Shops at Wiregrass, said the proposed outlet center could be a fine addition to the neighborhood.

“I think it will be good,” Lenners said. He thinks the outlet center would attract more shoppers from outlying communities and complement what The Shops at Wiregrass offers.

Noting that his mall already is well established, Lenners said the proposed outlet would enhance Wesley Chapel’s position in the market.

“I think it’s really going to put Wesley Chapel on the map,” Lenners said.

J.D. Porter, whose family owns thousands of acres and has played a prominent role in shaping the area’s development, said he has talked with county officials about the prospect.

“I think it’s real,” Porter said.

Both The Jacobs Group, which owns the Cypress Creek Town Center site, and Simon Property Group are known for quality projects, Porter said.

Gallagher said representatives told him they expect about half of the developable land to be used for an outlet mall and the other half to be used for Cypress Creek Town Center.

Jeff Miller, chairman of the Wesley Chapel Economic Development Committee, said an outlet mall “would make Wesley Chapel a destination for multiple opportunities for shopping.”

Miller said he’s excited and optimistic, but he had those feelings before the mall became mired in environmental issues.

Cypress Creek Town Center received a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers in 2007, but has been embroiled in a legal battle since then.

Now that a new party may enter the picture, there may be a better chance to resolve environmental issues, said Denise Layne, of the Sierra Club of Tampa Bay.

“Sometimes a new person will bring a new perspective. I’m very hopeful. Never has it been the Sierra Club’s position to stop the mall,” said Layne, who is chairwoman of the Cypress Creek Town Center Project for the environmental organization.

The Sierra Club wants the developer to “build responsibly,” she said.  “They must have a wildlife corridor run through their property.”

Unless an agreement can be reached, Layne said, “nothing is going anywhere anytime soon. There is no permit to build right now.”

The environmental issue that remains unresolved involves the eastern indigo snake.

A federal court ruling on Nov. 17 affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded a previous district ruling in a case involving the Sierra Club and the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

The court rejected the Sierra Club’s claims that the U.S. Corps of Engineers improperly examined the impacts to wetland and waterways. But the court found that the Corps and the developer failed to address the impact to the eastern indigo snake, a threatened species.

In its ruling, the U.S. District Court of Appeals cited Kenneth Dodd, a herpetologist for the Office of Endangered Species, who said the site is an important “wildlife corridor” linking protected areas to the north and south. Dodd noted “movements over large areas of fragmented habitats expose eastern indigo snakes to increased road mortality.”


Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

6 Reasons to Consider Remodeling your Bathroom with CMK Construction

March 21, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

Have you wanted to remodel your bathroom for a while now, but need that little extra push to make your decision? Check … [Read More...] about 6 Reasons to Consider Remodeling your Bathroom with CMK Construction

Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

March 7, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

One of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s main missions is being a champion for culture. “Celebrating culture is a vital … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

03/21/2023 – Chess Club

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Chess Club on March 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for all ages and abilities, in Adult Multipurpose Room C. Participants can use the chess sets provided or bring their own. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/21/2023 – Chess Club

03/21/2023 – Teen Advisory Board

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host the Teen Advisory Board on March 21 at 6 p.m., for teens who would like to discuss ideas and recommendations for programming at the library. Call 813-929-1214 for information. … [Read More...] about 03/21/2023 – Teen Advisory Board

03/22/2023 – Florida Landscaping

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host “Florida-Friendly Landscaping 101” on March 22 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn how to create a successful home landscape by following the nine Florida-Friendly program principles. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 03/22/2023 – Florida Landscaping

03/23/2023 – Betmar Chorus

The Betmar Chorus will perform its annual Spring Concert on March 22 at 2 p.m., and on March 23 and March 24 at 7 p.m., at Betmar Acres, 37145 Lakewood Drive, Clubhouse 2, in Zephyrhills. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The choir will perform a variety of show tunes, hymns, spirituals and classics. Tickets will be available at the door for $5. For information, all 810-837-0520. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Betmar Chorus

03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Farm Share, Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Gentlemen’s Course, Samaritan Corporation of Pasco County Inc., and the Pasco County NAACP will team up for a free community food distribution on March 23 at Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road in Hudson. The food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m., until the items run out. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

B Creative Painting Studio, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 103, in Wesley Chapel will host “Paint with Puppies” on March 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in support of the Mercy Full Project. Guests can get creative and cuddle with puppies. Only 50 spots available. An RSVP and $5 deposit is required online at tinyurl.com/PaintWithPuppy. Balance will be due at the event. The total cost of $50 includes a dog bowl, paint, glaze and fire of the bowl. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: