The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

What if Hurricane Ian had made a direct hit on Pasco?

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In the days leading to Hurricane Ian’s landfall in Fort Myers, officials across Tampa Bay called for evacuations and warned those sticking around to stock up on essentials and brace for impact.

The hurricane tracking path had shown Ian heading straight toward Tampa, and weather experts predicted that hurricane-strength winds, record storm surge and heavy rainfall would combine to create a worst-case scenario for Tampa Bay.

Instead, it veered to the south and flattened downtown Fort Myers. It knocked out the bridge connecting Sanibel Island to the mainland.

Hurricane Ian caused destruction and death, as it made its way through Florida and continued its destructive path across several states. Tampa Bay officials had feared a direct hit, but the hurricane veered south, making landfall near Fort Myers. (Courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA))

It caused deaths, ravaged properties and resulted in billions of dollars in damage.

But what would have happened if it made a direct hit on Pasco County?

Andrew Fossa, the county’s emergency management director, recently laid out a scenario of what could have happened, during the Pasco County Commission’s March 21 meeting.

“Basically, what we did is, we took (Hurricane) Ian from Lee County and put it on the same course, same speed, same trajectory and inlaid the surge that would have happened in Pasco County,” Fossa told the county board. “The results are astronomical and devastating.”

The scenario he described involved a Category 4 hurricane, with a north by northwest trajectory, traveling at a speed of 10 mph and making landfall at peak high tide, with the center of the storm striking near Gulf Harbors.

Coastal areas in Pasco County would have experienced a storm surge of 20 feet above ground level, not sea level, he said. There would have been devastating flooding along the U.S. 19 corridor and extensive flooding, west of Little Road, he said.

People would have died and property losses would have been massive, Fossa added.

Other expected impacts: Destruction of critical infrastructure, serious environmental damage and significant tax revenue losses, the director of emergency management said.

Fossa shared video footage of the powerful storm surge that began hitting Fort Myers Beach six hours before Hurricane Ian’s eye crossed Lee County.

He told board members to pay attention to a red house in the video, which, as storm surge intensified, was lifted and carried away.

He pointed to a camera — attached to a pole 8 feet up in the air — being slapped by waves.

He showed palm trees engulfed by water.

A direct hit on Pasco
If Hurricane Ian had landed in Pasco, massive flooding would have occurred along the U.S. 19 corridor, from Aripeka to Anclote.

In some areas, the wall of water would have reached 21 feet, and “that’s not including the wave action on top of the surge,” Fossa said.

Between Aripeka and Bayonet Point, the flooding would average about 14 feet, but would top 21 feet in some places, he said.

“We would lose Bayonet (Point), which is a very key hospital in Pasco County. It’s a Level II trauma center. It’s a 320-bed facility,” Fossa said.

Here’s a look at some of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, in a Fort Myers’ business district.

Floodwaters there would reach 17 feet — but Bayonet Point Hospital is just 15 feet above the ground, he said. The hospital’s evacuation plan calls for evacuating up, not out, he added.

“But with a storm like this — and we have talked to them — the recommendation would be to evacuate out because of the sheer wind force that would be behind that storm,” Fossa added

North Bay Hospital would have to evacuate, Fossa said.

“North Bay, it’s a 141-bed facility, it’s an acute care facility. They would have water up to their first floor and up, and higher,” Fossa said.

Floodwaters along the western coastal areas would range from about 13 feet to 21 feet; there would be inland flooding, too, according to a map contained in Fossa’s presentation.

Floodwaters near Little Road could range from 6 feet to 8 feet, causing millions of dollars in damage, Fossa added.

To further illustrate the dangers, Fossa showed video capturing dramatic scenes of destruction in Fort Myers.

He witnessed much of it first hand when he went to the area to help with emergency management operations.

Fossa saw a fire truck that had been picked up and pushed by floodwaters, into a building.

If a hurricane like Ian hit Pasco, “in essence, we would lose all of our fire stations on the west side of the county, along the U.S. 19 corridor,” Fossa said.

Hurricane winds and storm surge likely would wreak havoc with Infrastructure, too, he said.

“When I was in Lee County, the barrier islands were the worst hit, when it came to infrastructure. They lost sewage. They lost water. And they lost all communications.

“I was there three weeks and when I was leaving there, they still did not have water, sewage or communications.

“Fort Myers Beach, it was the same way. The infrastructure was all torn out. They lost generators, pump stations and all sorts of assets,” Fossa said.

Pasco didn’t get hit, but it is vulnerable
With a hurricane like Ian, the Anclote Electrical Plant would get about 20 feet of water — and, if that plant were destroyed, the disruption of services wouldn’t be days or weeks, it would be months, Fossa said.

Lengthy cleanups also would be required for environmental damages, Fossa said.

Some homes withstood Hurricane Ian’s fury, others were scattered, like matchsticks.

“When I was down there in Lee County, there was so much debris. The county couldn’t fathom how they were going to get all of this debris out of the water. Not only the boats, but the cars that were in there. There were buildings in there. Parts of houses in there. There was garbage in there.

“When I left there after three weeks, they hadn’t even thought of starting that process yet.”

Besides all of the destruction and disruption, Pasco’s revenues would take a hit, too, Fossa said.

He estimated lost revenues could mount up to about $140 million in lost revenues, annually.

County Administrator Mike Carballa said the county is keenly aware of work that needs to be done to put the county in a better position to reduce risks and to quicken recovery efforts.

“We are undertaking a vulnerability assessment currently. So that involves the cities, that involves the counties — in looking at those critical pieces of infrastructure that are vulnerable. “That kind of sets the stage for us to kind of chase after larger (grant) dollars.

“At the end of the day, protection of your critical infrastructure is super important because we can have great building codes, but Mother Nature can always out-design us on any type of storm.

“And so it turns into a recovery operation and how quickly the county can bounce back. Hence, resiliency and why you are seeing a lot more focus on that.

“We are forging ahead in this area because it’s important,” Carballa said.

Published March 29, 2023

Thousands of homes proposed on 2,900 acres of ranch land

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A new development is being proposed in Land O’ Lakes that would transform 2,900 acres of ranch land into roughly 3,800 homes and 300,000 square feet of retail and office uses.

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a proposed land use change requested in the name of 4G Ranch PD.

Attorney Clarke Hobby, who represents the applicant, said a separate request also has been filed for a rezoning, which also must be approved for the project to proceed.

Planner Amy Tull detailed the land use request during the planning board’s March 16 public hearing on the request.

A new development is being proposed in Land O’ Lakes that would transform 2,900 acres of ranch land into roughly 3,800 homes and 300,000 square feet of retail on State Road 52, about 2.25 miles east of U.S. 41. (Mike Camunas)

The site is off State Road 52, about 2.25 miles east of U.S. 41, in an area designated as a rural transition area on the county’s long-range planning map.

The request calls for changing the site’s designation from agricultural and  agricultural-residential to a planned development. 

The subject property is bisected by a Critical Linkage Ecological Corridor, in the name of Connerton to Crossbar. The applicant proposes amending the map to reduce the size of the corridor from about 830 acres to about 595 acres.

The county has no objections to the proposed changes in the eco-corridor because even after the changes, it would meet the intent of providing a connection between ecological conservation areas and supporting necessary habitat, according to materials in the planning board’s agenda packet.

Hobby told the planning board that 4G Ranch is owned by the Phillips family, which “does quite a bit for the community and hosts fundraisers out there quite a bit, so many people in the community have been there over the years.”

He said the site is in an area that the county designated years ago as a transition area from higher densities from the west and the south.

The area north of State Road 52 was basically made up of about four ranches that covered the area between Bellamy Brothers Boulevard to Pasco Trails, Hobby said.

But in the past few years, there have been increased development approvals in the nearby area, including the Palmetto Ridge Master-Planned Unit Development (MPUD) and Faircloth MPUD, Hobby said.

“The (State Road) 52 project is now in the (Florida Department of Transportation) DOT work program, and it’s my understanding that it’s to commence in about two or three years, so that’s radically changing the area that’s just been more of a rural-flavored, two-lane road.

“This is going to be a major growth area for the county, both in residential and non-residential, over time,” Hobby said.

The attorney added: “We’ve worked with staff to set the framework for the ultimate negotiations for the eco-corridor and the county’s acquisition of it, over time. That will be addressed concurrently with, or prior to, a second MPUD, which would be in Area 2, on the east side of the conservation area that you see on the map, which is the eco-corridor.

“What you are going to see in a couple of months — we only have one MPUD proposed at this time on Area 1, and that will be following this, like I said, by a couple of months.

“The family’s intention is to hold Area 2, where they have their large family compound, where the fundraisers are typically held, for an indefinite amount of time. We’re thinking it could be some period of time before that is dealt with.

“The subarea policies deal with the (elementary) school (site) and infrastructure issues that are important.

“We have a condition that requires the dedication of a school (site), once we have approval of above 1,500 units, on Area 2,” Hobby said.

“We have met with the Pasco Trails HOA several times and we’ve made some changes to our concept plan, which will find its way into the MPUD conditions — do a few things design-wise to make it more palatable for them. Feel like we have a good relationship with those folks, and we plan on continuing to be good neighbors,” Hobby said.

During the public comment portion of the planning board’s hearing, one couple, who lives next to the proposed land use change, voiced concerns about losing the oak and pine trees that currently provide a buffer between their property and the site. They would prefer the trees remain.

But Shawn Roark, president of Pasco Trails Homeowners Association, said the majority of people within the HOA would prefer ponds be used to buffer the property.

“We’ve met multiple times with 4G Ranch and they’ve been very gracious and open to our input. They’ve made changes,” Roark said, referring to a planned MPUD rezoning, which is a separate request.

Roark said using the ponds as buffers will help direct the drainage flow to the north, where it needs to go. He also thinks that approach will help preserve the area’s rural flavor.

Another speaker at the meeting represented a couple who has 10 acres nearby.

The speaker said the couple’s primary concern relates to what kind of buffering will be used and whether the new development will have any negative impacts on existing residents.

Published March 29, 2023

Approval is a step closer for county’s Odessa Town Centre plan

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Concerns about the potential for piecemeal development on about 81.5 acres at the southwest corner of Gunn Highway and County Road 54 prompted the county to launch a planning initiative about two years ago.

The effort aims to create a cohesive approach to future development at the intersection and it yielded what is known as the Odessa Town Centre plan.

The Pasco County Commission voted unanimously on March 21 to send the proposed land use change to state officials for review.

That’s the last step that’s required before the board can adopt the proposed comprehensive land use change.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has led the effort, which has involved a planning consultant, county planners and community meetings with landowners and residents.

“This is an area where people have lived for a long time. They’re not builders, they’re not developers and they’re not planners. So, I really appreciate them coming along with us.

“We haven’t had anyone sell, since we’ve come through this.

“They (potential developers) are circling, circling around,” Starkey said.

Without the plan, Starkey said, “it would have been a kind of community that no one would’ve really liked.

“Our hope is that we end up with a really good community plan here that’s to everyone’s advantage,” she said. “We believe we increased the value of their property.”

A couple of elderly property owners appeared before the board to raise questions about what will happen to them — as a result of the plan.

That prompted Commissioner Gary Bradford to express concerns about the potential for leaving anyone behind.

But Nectarios Pittos, the county’s director of planning and development, told board members: “The way we designed this subarea plan and policy was to maximize the flexibility of the existing landowners, such as, if they want to sell, it’s their choice. If they want to stay, again, it’s their choice.

“Their existing current uses may remain there until such time that they choose to sell, at such time the new developer or the new property owner that comes along they’ll have to comply with whatever zoning changes they want to make that are consistent with the comprehensive plan,” Pittos said.

Starkey also pledged the help of her office to any existing property owners who need assistance.

“This is going to generate activity,” Starkey predicted.

The proposed plan includes areas designated for light industrial, business park, mixed-use office and retail, and high-density residential uses.

Published March 29, 2023

Road widening delay won’t stall industrial park opening

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It turns out that Old Pasco Road won’t be widened before the Rooker industrial park is allowed to open, after all.

When Pasco County approved an economic deal with Rooker Properties LLC, based in Atlanta, it included a condition that issuance of certificates of occupancy would be contingent upon a segment of Old Pasco Road being widened to four lanes.

Rooker’s property is at 7012 Old Pasco Road and 7529 Old Pasco Road, about one-third of a mile south of the intersection of Old Pasco and Overpass roads. It’s also near the new Overpass Road/Interstate 75 interchange.

The widening of Old Pasco Road, which connects State Road 54 to State Road 52, is in the county’s five-year transportation improvement plan. Improvements can’t come quickly enough for the motorists who travel the road from established neighborhoods, new subdivisions, Cypress Creek Middle School, Cypress Creek High School, the Instructional Performing Arts Center and soon, a new industrial park. (Mike Camunas)

The county’s agreement with Rooker called for the widening of Old Pasco Road, from the south entrance of the industrial park to Overpass Road, before the site could be occupied.

That requirement was lifted by the Pasco County Commission in a unanimous vote on March 21.

The board’s action supported a staff recommendation, which was based on a request from Rooker.

Pasco County’s engineering services department has reported that the Old Pasco segment widening project has been added to the county’s five-year capital improvement plan and that funding for the road widening project’s design, permitting and construction is in place.

The widening is expected to be completed around October of 2024.

Meanwhile, Rooker has informed the county that it is nearing completion of the business park’s first industrial building, of about 187,000 square feet, and it expects to need its first certificate of occupancy around April 1.

During the widening work on Old Pasco Road, a temporary access plan will be used to allow vehicles to safely enter and leave the industrial park.

While approving its staff’s recommendation, the county board supported Commissioner Seth Weightman’s request that the county provide a traffic management plan to keep motorists safe, during Old Pasco Road’s widening.

Weightman characterized the Rooker deal as a “great project for the county.”

But he said he wants to ensure the county does whatever it can do to prevent any potential accidents.

County Administrator Mike Carballa said he appreciates “Commissioner Weightman’s concerns, and the public’s concerns, over safety during construction.

“Our engineering services team does take safety seriously.

“I have spoken to the county engineer and the project engineer to ensure once we have the contractor onboard that we need to discuss safety, even if it costs a little bit more or takes a little bit more time, that we’re ensuring that the job is done safely and within best practices,” Carballa said.

Published March 29, 2023

Pasco board approves charter school foundation request

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a request to enable Innovation Preparatory Academy in Wesley Chapel to qualify the issuance of tax-exempt bonds to finance Innovation Preparatory Academy in Wesley Chapel.

The board approved the request from the Florida Charter Educational Foundation (FCEF), without discussion, as part of its consent agenda.

The consent agenda contains numerous items that are approved in a single vote, unless an item is pulled off for discussion.

In this case, the board approved a request by FCEF to borrow $20 million, with the funds being issued by the Industrial Development Authority of La Paz, Arizona, not Pasco County.

The funds are intended to finance the acquisition, development, construction, and equipping of an approximately 56,000-square-foot charter school building and ancillary facilities, according to background materials in the Pasco county board’s March 21 agenda packet.

Pasco County has no obligation with respect to the bonds, but had to approve the request in order for the charter foundation to qualify for the tax-exempt bonds.

The federal tax law allowing this type of tax-exempt financing is known as the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA).

That law requires the request to be approved by the “highest elected” board in the jurisdiction, a public hearing to gather public input and a finding that the project is in the public interest.

On another issue, the county board approved a budget change to realign $54,987.84 to pay for an irrigation project at the Wesley Chapel District Park.

The money came from savings from the district park’s gymnasium coming in under budget last year.

The money will be used to explore alternative sources of water for irrigating the soccer and baseball fields at the park. The fields are currently watered with potable or reclaimed water sources that often are expensive and not dependable.

In other action, the county board:

  • Approved the appointments of Matthew Miller and Shannon Hayley Kennedy to serve a three-year term and Maryann Bishop to serve a one-year term on the Environmental Lands Acquisition Selection Committee (ELASC). The board also approved Patty Fesmire to a one-year reappointment to the committee.

Published March 29, 2023

Cultivating positive change through partnerships

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Whitney Elmore — the executive director of the UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Office — has her fingers in lots of pies.

Her office provides information, classes and programs on topics ranging from gardening, to nutrition to caring for cattle, budgeting money, and more.

She’s had a hand in all sorts of initiatives since arriving in Pasco County in 2014.

She seeks out partnerships to help foster improved services and a better quality of life for people living in Pasco County.

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore, director of the Pasco County Extension Office, is a big believer in the value of community gardening. Here, she is speaking during a 2020 groundbreaking ceremony of a new garden plot at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. (File)

She explains it this way: “There’s often times nothing wrong with keeping things the same, but sometimes everything is wrong with keeping things the same.

“And, time does march on.

“Change doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t have to be hard.”

But, she continued: “We move at such a fast pace now, change is inevitable.

“So, if I can help people make those positive changes in a timely fashion — that helps them and their community — then I’m doing something right.”

Plus, she thinks she’s in the ideal role to help make that happen.

“I think it (Extension) is one of most potential-filled places to make change,” she said.

In her view, her office is “an extension into the community,” which uses “applied research” to address issues.

Pasco County Extension is a partnership between the University of Florida and Pasco County.

It offers a way to “really dig in and help people — grassroots, at the core,” Elmore said.

She thinks her practical nature, combined with her life experiences, laid the groundwork for the career she has today.

A rural childhood
Elmore grew up in Barren County, Kentucky — a place with no traffic lights, or even a stop sign.

In that county of 13,000, she said, “Either you knew everybody, or you were related to them.

“Honestly, it was for me, an idyllic place to grow up.

“We lived in what we called the hollers … the rolling hills in Kentucky. 

“I got my wilderness education.

“In the summer, I pretty much slept outside,” she said.

She hunted arrow heads, went fishing, turned up soil in the fields.

“It wasn’t until I was in high school that I realized, most people don’t have those same blessings,” she said.

Her family’s roots in agriculture stretch back for generations.

Her dad was a tobacco farmer.

“They were very poor, very poor,” Elmore said.

She traces her love of learning to the example set by her mother, who graduated at the top of her high school class and went on to teach elementary school.

“We never were told ‘Do your homework. You’ve got to make good grades.’ It was just kind of — we wanted to. 

“You have that model and you desire to live up to that, even though that expectation is not really leveled on you,” Elmore said.

“I was very lucky that way. I didn’t have that pressure.

“I was really allowed to make my own choices, very much, growing up.”

Elmore’s dad was mechanically minded, and because of him, she learned how to take apart an engine and put it back together again.

“I had support from all of these different angles,” Elmore said.

“I was never prompted or prodded or pushed to be anything other than what I was and wanted to be,” she added.

But she saw how her mother’s education lifted the family.

Her dad saw that, too.

“It gave him opportunities that he would have never had,” Elmore said.

The staying power of FFA
Elmore credits her sister as being a source of inspiration, too.

“My sister was in FFA (Future Farmers of America), so I saw that as a small child. And I watched her advancing, and doing so well, in public-speaking contests,” Elmore said.

The Extension leader credits her experiences in FFA for teaching her invaluable skills she still uses nearly every day. Plus, the scholarships she won through FFA paid for most of her college.

“You put it all together — those experiences, but then that support — that can take you anywhere you want to go,” Elmore said.

She attended Western Kentucky University, which turned out to be the perfect choice, she said.

“Looking back, so much of what I do in my everyday job and life, it comes from the information I gained there, and, really from being in FFA in high school,” Elmore said.

Elmore was an avid golfer and at one point had considered turning pro. Instead, she combined  her love for golfing and for learning and earned her bachelor’s degree in agriculture and turfgrass management. Next, she attained a master’s in turfgrass management and later, a doctorate in plant pathology.

She taught at Santa Fe Community College and at Middle Georgia University before accepting the Extension position in Pasco County, in 2014.

A change agent in Pasco
Much has happened since Elmore arrived on the scene.

She’s quick to credit many others for their part in creating positive change.

For instance, she said, Cathy Pearson, assistant Pasco County administrator, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Stallings Building, at 15029 14th St., in Dade City. The building, which is referred to as the One-Stop Shop, offers programs and houses an incubator commercial kitchen.

Elmore also praised the leadership of Bill Cronin, president and CEO, of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., who set up EDC’s East Pasco operations at the Stallings Building.

University of Florida graduate students Carlos Zambrano, right, and Dario Racano, both of Gainesville, staked young blueberry plants. The volunteers were helping the farm recover in 2017 after Hurricane Irma’s winds toppled about 100,000 of its blueberry plants.

Next, a private company, Welbilt, a global manufacturer of commercial restaurant equipment, stepped in to equip the kitchen.

A collaboration between Pasco County, the Pasco County Fair Association and Pasco County Extension resulted in the new extension office, at the fairgrounds property.

The fair association secured a $1.1-million state grant, which was combined with $197,000 from the fair association and $244,000 from Pasco County.

Elmore also has been involved with the creation of community gardens.

The first one was the Watson Park community garden — a partnership between the University of Florida and the city of Dade City. It was the first partnership of its type in the state.

Since then, a number of community gardens have sprouted up around Pasco County.

Elmore’s office also has served as a conduit to help people find the resources they need.

After Hurricane Irma hit, for instance, she worked with Pasco County and the University of Florida to help get the word out to round up volunteers to help a blueberry farm where hurricane winds had uprooted and toppled about 100,000 blueberry bushes.

The general manager at Frogmore Fresh Farm told The Laker/Lutz News at the time that Elmore had reached out to him and asked if she could help. He thought maybe 20 people would come to pitch in, but more than 200 volunteers showed up.

Her love of learning goes on
Elmore never tires of picking up new knowledge.

She recalled traveling to Rwanda and Uganda in 2017, as part of a study abroad experience.

The University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County now has a new 6,400-square-foot facility at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, in Dade City. It offers a range of classes, programs and other services.

Among other things, the trip amplified her appreciation of the power of community gardening.

“As we were traveling on these dirt roads through these villages, you see these small communities with these community gardens,” she said.

The gardens were in desolate areas, which were poor and challenged by disease, crime and the lack of opportunity — but the people in the gardens were smiling, Elmore said.

“They’re coming out of there with food to feed their family,” she said.

“There was hope in those gardens. What was also in those gardens was empowerment.

“First, enough food for today, then enough to sell, then enough to share … When you have that level of empowerment, it can change whole communities,” she said.

In a sense, Elmore uses many of the skills needed in gardening to help nurture a better way of life in Pasco County.

In short, it’s about serving everyone and helping them to understand their options and resources, the Extension leader said.

“If you leave anybody behind, the whole community is going to be harmed by it,” Elmore said.

Published March 29, 2023

Pasco board discusses how to regulate vacation home rentals

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The Pasco County Commission approved a request to allow short-term rentals in a waterfront home in West Pasco, but not before hearing complaints from nearby neighbors, and discussing bigger-picture issues affiliated with such rentals.

Board members approved the request for a short-term rental from Nikki and Michael Rutman to allow short-term rentals at 14429 Birch St., in Hudson.

Along with approving the request, the board attached a list of conditions that the owners must meet, or risk having their conditional use permit revoked.

Several neighbors urged the county board to reject the request, arguing that the short-term rental operation changes the character of their single-family neighborhood.

They complained about people coming and going at all hours of the day and night, slamming car doors, beeping horns, barking dogs, parties and other negative impacts.

During their deliberations, the board also discussed the need to find a way to deal with the broader issue of short-term rentals, also called vacation rentals, that are operating around Pasco County.

This particular request before the board arose because the property owner had been cited for a potential county ordinance violation, but board members agreed that this is not an isolated case.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey noted: “These issues are going to come up because the reality is, we have thousands and thousands of these in the county. I don’t see any way that our citizens can afford to pay code enforcement to go and shut each one of them down.

“In my mind, the answer is to have regulations,” Starkey said.

She said she uses short-term rentals when she travels.

“When families come (to Pasco) for a sporting event, sometimes they’re more comfortable staying in a house than a hotel. Sometimes, it’s cheaper, you get to cook your meals,” she said.

She added that she knows of at least two, maybe three, short-term rental operations near her home.

On one hand, Starkey said, “I sure wouldn’t want a houseful of partiers coming in every week.”

But on the other: “You can’t treat one differently than the other. If they’re not allowed to have theirs, you’re going to have shut all of these down, too.

“In my mind, we need to regulate and license these,” she said.

Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told the board that it is prohibited by state law from changing its ordinance relating to short-term rentals, but, he said, the county can impose reasonable conditions.

With that in mind, board members expanded the list of conditions required for approval in the case under review.

They decided to require: that cameras be installed to record outdoor activities; that the property be well-maintained and trash receptacles properly stored; and, that water safety information be provided for any equipment the renters are allowed to use.

The board also adopted a three-strike rule — which would revoke the permit if three warranted complaints are recorded by code enforcement or the sheriff’s office.

Any revoked permit would come back to the board for review.

Starkey spoke in favor of the expanded conditions.

“I think we just made a good blueprint (for future requests),” she said.

Published March 29, 2023

Construction crews busy at work on local and regional roads

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No regional transportation solution is in sight for Tampa Bay, but construction crews are busy on projects aimed at increasing roadway capacity and improving traffic flow.

David Gwynn, secretary for District Seven of the Florida Department of Transportation, shared highlights of work that’s been recently completed, is underway or is planned for the future — during a recent North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon, in Land O’ Lakes.

David Gwynn, secretary for District Seven of the Florida Department of Transportation, briefed a luncheon gathering of the North Tampa Bay Chamber on numerous local and regional road projects. (B.C. Manion)

“Central Florida and the Tampa region seem to be the fastest-growing in the state right now,” Gwynn said.

Within FDOT’s District Seven, Pasco County is growing at a faster clip than Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus and Hernando counties, Gwynn said.

District Seven and Pasco County have collaborated on a number of projects in recent years and because of those partnerships, several projects have been completed, or are underway, Gwynn said.

A number of additional improvements also are planned for the area, Gwynn said.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights.

Completed projects

This aerial view shows an improvement aimed at easing congestion at the State Road 56/Interstate 75 interchange. (Courtesy of the Florida Department of Transportation, District Seven)

The Diverging Diamond interchange, at State Road 56 and Interstate 75
 This project creates a new way for motorists to enter and exit I-75 and to make their way across State Road 56, which is a primary artery providing access to shopping malls, restaurants, businesses, residences and schools.

Gwynn told the luncheon crowd: “I sweated this out for a long time, when the contractor defaulted. I was like, ‘How are we going to get this thing built?’

“I know it was painful for people out there, and the businesses,” he said.

But he added: “It appears that it is working well. I think it moves a lot of traffic.

Overpass Road interchange at I-75
“One thing unique about this project is that it was paid for by Pasco County,” Gwynn said, while FDOT completed the engineering and provided oversight for the construction.

“It was a great partnership on that project,” Gwynn said.

Pasco County and FDOT collaborated on a project to build a new I-75 interchange at Overpass Road. Pasco paid for the project and FDOT provided the engineering and oversight of the construction. (Courtesy of the Florida Department of Transportation, District Seven)

Projects in progress

Realignment of State Road 52, from Uradco Place to U.S. 301
The first two lanes (one heading in each direction) recently opened and work continues on the other two lanes. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The old alignment took motorists along a meandering path past San Antonio, through St. Leo and through Dade City. The new alignment offers a more direct route.

With the opening of the new alignment, the former State Road 52 has been renamed County Road 52.

State Road 54, from Curley Road to Morris Bridge Road
“That project was another one where the contractor defaulted. It took us a little longer to get a replacement contractor on that one. That should be completed later this year,” Gwynn said.

Planned improvements

U.S. 41 and State Road 54
This major intersection has been congested for years, as motorists head north and south through Land O’ Lakes on U.S. 41, and east and west through the community, on State Road 54.

Currently, FDOT is looking at building a bridge over the intersection to reduce congestion.

“We’re not sure if it is (State Road) 54 over (U.S.) 41 or (U.S.) 41 over (State Road) 54. That still has to be determined,” Gwynn said. “What that will do is really increase the capacity of that intersection.”

No funding has been earmarked for the project yet, but once a decision is made on the final plan, the district will be trying to move that project forward, Gwynn said.

State Road 56 southbound exit to I-75/I-275
As it stands now, motorists heading south from State Road 56 have to weave across lanes of traffic, if they want to head south on I-75. The improvement will make it easier for motorists to head either toward I-275 or toward I-75.

That project is currently in design, with construction expected in a few years.

“If we can advance it, we will. I think that will help improve the traffic flow and crash history in that area,” Gwynn said.

State Road 52, from U.S. 41 to Bellamy Brothers Boulevard
Funding has been secured, Gwynn said.

“We’re designing it and buying the right of way and then we’ll start construction on that in a few years.”

Traffic signal at Lake Patience Road and U.S. 41
That project is expected to be constructed this summer.

Bruce B. Downs Boulevard improvements
Another local project involves improvements to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard that include the installation of a new traffic signal at Eagleston Boulevard, as well as median and turn lane improvements. The completion date on that work was estimated for Spring 2023.

Plans also call for resurfacing Bruce B. Downs to south of Eagleston Boulevard, expected to occur around 2026.

Regional outlook
The district secretary also shared some big-picture plans to improve transportation in the region. Those projects that are planned or underway include a new bridge for the Howard Frankland Bridge; rebuilding the Westshore interchange; and, increasing the capacity and accessibility at the I-275 and I-4 interchange.

Published March 22, 2023

Simple steps can help prevent traffic-related deaths, official says

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The figures are shocking.

About 10 people die every week in the District Seven region of the Florida Department of Transportation from traffic-related crashes, said David Gwynn, the district secretary.

“Of course, safety is always our No. 1 priority,” Gwynn said.

“We have too many people die on our roads every year,” Gwynn said, during remarks at a luncheon meeting presented by the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

It’s common to hear reports about tragedies that occur elsewhere, Gwynn said.

But he impressed upon the crowd the importance of taking action to reduce deaths here.

“Think about it: 10 people a week,” he said.

“Last year, we had a 17% decrease in the number of fatalities in our district, which was a good thing.

“Unfortunately, during the pandemic, it (the number of fatalities) actually went up,” he said.

Even though traffic went down, speed went up, he explained.

“Speed kills. A lot of the crashes that were occurring were higher speed,” he said.

Also, there’s been an increase in motorcycle fatalities.

“Unfortunately, a motorcyclist doesn’t have a whole lot of protection, even if they are wearing a helmet. So, we ask people, ‘Keep an eye out.’ Make sure that you’re looking for motorcyclists,” he said.

He also urged the crowd to keep an eye out for pedestrians and bicyclists, too.

Distracted and impaired drivers also are a problem, Gwynn said.

Insurance company apps can encourage safer driving, and provide a premium discount, he said.

There are ways to avoid impaired driving, too, he said.

“Get an Uber if you’ve been having a few drinks and you’ve got to get home,” Gwynn suggested.

There’s also a simple and effective way to reduce traffic-related fatalities, the district secretary said.

“Wear your seatbelt.

“Over half of the people that die in a car crash — not if you get hit while you are walking or biking or riding a motorcycle — if you’re in a car and you die, there’s over 50% chance that you weren’t wearing your seatbelt,” Gwynn said.

“Younger people are the biggest offender. Remind them: ‘Wear your seatbelt.’”

Published March 22, 2023

Pasco ponders new rules on cellphone use in schools

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The Pasco County School Board is expected to decide soon on how and when cellphones can be used on school campuses.

Pasco County School Board Chairwoman Megan Harding has requested a workshop on the issue, which Superintendent Kurt Browning said will occur.

The issue came up at the school board’s March 7 meeting.

How will Pasco County Schools handle the future use of cellphones on district campuses? The school board is set to discuss the issue in April. (Mike Camunas)

In requesting the workshop, Harding noted: “I  think it’s a really important topic that revolves around students’ mental health and behaviors that are occurring within the classroom. And, I’d really like to have that discussion with my peers, if you all are willing.”

School board member Al Hernandez responded: “Absolutely.”

Browning said the district is scheduling a workshop in the second week of April.

“We’ve been working on this issue the last few weeks, in earnest. We will have the data available,” Browning said.

Any changes in the district would take effect next school year, the superintendent said.

Harding said she hopes families will weigh in on the issue.

Steve Hegarty, the district’s public information officer, said the district established a Thought Exchange on the topic, reaching out directly to parents, teachers and students seeking their engagement on the issue.

“We’ve had thousands, thousands of responses,” Hegarty said.

Browning discussed the issue in a video that accompanied the Thought Exchange.

He said cellphones are common on school campuses, and have both advantages and disadvantages.

While they can be useful for legitimate academic purposes, when used irresponsibly, they can be a distraction, can be destructive and can be used to amplify and spread threats and rumors, Browning said in the video.

“So, how can we manage the use of cellphones in our schools?” Browning asked.

“How do we promote the appropriate uses, while reducing inappropriate uses and mitigating the harmful effects?”

Browning acknowledged: “There’s no way to put the Genie back into the bottle. Cellphones are here to stay. They’re part of our daily life.”

Plus, he added: “Florida law says students may have cellphones at school.”

At the same time, state law allows districts to adopt rules “about how and when students use wireless devices at school,” Browning said.

“So, the question is this: What kind of rules can we adopt, rules that are both effective and realistic,” Browning continued.

“In this Thought Exchange, we’re seeking your thoughts, concerns and suggestions about how your school and the district, in general, should handle the use of cellphones and other wireless devices at school,” the superintendent said.

The issue has sparked considerable interest, with 8,930 participating in the exchange.

Those commenting shared an array of suggestions and opinions.

Here’s a sampling:

  • “I don’t think students should be allowed to film others or make TikToks at school. Children are being humiliated and exploited on social media. School is already hard enough. Then when students post videos of others (fights), now they’ve opened it up to the world to bully them. It’s not right.”
  • “With the ongoing threats schools are constantly getting and controlled campuses or lockdowns that are occurring, students need access to their phones.”
  • “In the event of an emergency, I want my children to be able to reach me.”
  • “My child needs her phone because she walks to school and home from school.”
  • “Social media should be blocked during the school day. It’s a huge distraction.”
  • “No social media. Tech is valuable but needs to be focused.
  • “No interruptions from cellphones during teaching.”

Others suggested that cellphones be kept in backpacks or wall organizers during class and that cellphone use be limited to non-instructional time.

The need for cellphone access for children who have health issues was noted, too.

Overall, the tenor of the comments seemed to suggest that Thought Exchange participants want the district to strike a balance between allowing the legitimate use of cellphones, while imposing rules intended to reduce distractions caused by cellphones, as well as disruptive and harmful use of the devices.

Published March 22, 2023