B.C. Manion

Swamp Fest returns with new rides, family fun

October 30, 2019 By B.C. Manion

The idea of bringing a community together to have fun, while raising money, is nothing new.

Swamp Fest, an annual event, has been doing that for 11 years, in Land O’ Lakes.

Eight-year-old Dalilah Pyles, of South Tampa, tests her skills at climbing the rope ladder during last year’s Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. (File)

Festivities begin with a preview evening on Oct. 31. The festival runs through Nov. 3.

The event raises money for area schools, nonprofits and community, as well as benefiting businesses. It is hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club, and it is held at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The booster club’s proceeds go for such things as new weights in weight room, a new sign for the high school off U.S. 41 and other items that are not part of the regular school budget, but benefit all of the school’s athletes, said Doug Hutchinson, Swamp Fest coordinator and former booster club president.

Highlights of the event include 24 rides, food, games and entertainment. There also will be a salute to veterans on Nov. 2 at 10 a.m.

This year, Hutchison said, the carnival operator will be bringing a few new rides.

It’s all smiles aboard the Magic Dragon at last year’s Swamp Fest. The Land O’ Lakes High School Athletic Booster Club hosts the event, which benefits area schools, nonprofit groups and area businesses.

“We’re going to get a bigger Ferris wheel. We’re going to get what’s called a Mega Drop; it’s a ride you go up in and they drop you rapidly,” Hutchinson said.

Festival-goers also are in for a treat when it comes to the entertainment, Hutchinson added.

“On Friday night, we’ve got a group called The Big Bong Theory,” he said. The band played last year and were well-received.

“They play a nice mix of music,” Hutchinson said.

“On Saturday, we’ve got Stonegrey. Everybody loves Stonegrey. We weren’t able to get them last year because they had booked up before. This year, I called early, early, early,” Hutchinson said.

Other acts scheduled during the festival include performances by Show on the Road, Nicole’s Dance Academy, Suncoast Dance Academy, Karl and Dimarco Dance, Beyond Chaotic, and Pine View Dance & Cheer.

Pre-sale tickets for Swamp Fest, at a discounted price, are available now.

For details on the entertainment schedule and other information about the festival, visit LOLswampfest.com.

Rick Bartz, left, of Land O’ Lakes, and Mary Law, took advantage of food available for purchase at last year’s event.

11th annual Swamp Fest
When: Oct. 31, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Nov. 1, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Nov. 2, noon to 11 p.m., and Nov. 3, noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
Cost: Pre-sale tickets are on sale now at these locations in Land O’ Lakes: Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane (in the commons area during lunch); Sanders Elementary School, 5126 School Road; Pine View Middle School, 5334 Parkway Blvd.; and Sugar & Spice Daycare, 3508 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Tickets also can be purchased online, or on site. Tickets purchased online will be available at a will call booth.
Details: Swamp Fest features rides, games, food and live entertainment.
Info: Visit LOLswampfest.com to get entertainment lineup and other details.

Published October 30, 2019

Business Digest 10/30/2019

October 30, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Goodwill-Suncoast President and CEO Deborah Passerini presents a check to Red Cross Regional CEO Eric Corliss and Regional Philanthropy Officer Robb Resler. (Courtesy of Goodwill-Suncoast)

Goodwill helps Bahamas relief
Goodwill-Suncoast presented a check for $26,360 to the Red Cross to aid relief efforts for people in the Bahamas, in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. The check was given Oct. 22 to the American Red Cross and will be a direct pass-through to the Bahamas Red Cross.

The money came from a special collection in September, in which shoppers were invited to round up their purchase at Goodwill-Suncoast stores to support Bahamas relief efforts.

New dental office
Anthony Tossona, DMD, and Natalie Bentivenga, DDS will offer dental services beginning Oct. 31 at Connerton Dental Care in Land O’ Lakes. The family dental practice has the latest products and equipment, and will offer a broad range of services.

“We are excited to be joining the Land O’ Lakes community to offer high-quality dental services to families and individuals of all ages,” Dr. Tossona said, in a news release.

“Dental health is vital to overall health, so we want to help our patients make the best decisions for their care,” added Dr. Bentivenga.

Connerton Dental Care, at 20301 Pleasant Plains Parkway, is accepting new patients. For more information, call (813) 365-3652.

Unemployment rate at 3.2%
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced that Florida’s unemployment rate had dropped to 3.2%, as labor force participation increases. Florida’s economy continues to create new private-sector jobs, adding 215,000 private-sector jobs over the year. The professional and business services and financial sectors continue to grow and supply the need for a diverse, high-skilled workforce.

Advisory Council openings
The Food Policy Advisory Council is seeking volunteers, who live in Pasco County, to fill a number of openings on its 10-member committee. The council advises the Pasco County Commission on food policies with the goal of promoting an equitable, resilient, local food system in Pasco County. Representatives from these industries are needed: Farmer, certified nutritionist, academic professional specializing in cultural studies and ecology, an attorney with experience in food systems, a grocer/distribution representative and a farmer’s market representative.

Members serve two-year terms and meet, at minimum, on a quarterly basis at various locations throughout the county.

Applications will be accepted until the posts are filled. Submit applications to http://bit.ly/AdvisoryBoardApp.

How to do a podcast
Learn how to do a podcast at a free session on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey. To register go to the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s website (pascoedc.com) and click on the events tab.

Food is big business
A panel of area food industry experts will discuss how to start, grow and support food businesses in Pasco County on Nov. 20 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. To register go to the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s website (pascoedc.com) and click on the events tab.

Experts sought for conference
Saint Leo University is inviting Tampa Bay organizations and experts to share STEAM career insights at a March 2020 conference. The university is encouraging women and girls to seek education and career options in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics, and has scheduled its second Women in STEAM Conference. It is inviting Tampa Bay organizations and experts to share STEAM career insights and skills during the event, scheduled for March 6 and March 7. For more information go to SaintLeo.edu/women-in-steam-conference. Those with any questions will find organizer contact information on the site.

Veterans job fair
CareerSource Tampa Bay will be assisting veterans and their family members on Nov. 7 at the Paychecks for Patriots Job Fair, a special hiring fair dedicated to connecting quality employers with our local veterans, military spouses, and military service members and their families. The event is scheduled for Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at CareerSource Tampa Bay, 9215 N. Florida Ave., Suite 101, in Tampa. More information is available by calling (813) 930-7513.

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce business breakfast is scheduled for Nov. 7 at 7 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles is the guest speaker. The charge is $8 for members and $10 for visitors.

Economic Development Summit
The East Pasco Economic Development Summit, focusing on agritourism and agribusiness is set for Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. The keynote speaker will be Holly Bell, director of Cannabis for the Florida Department of Agriculture. There will be a panel discussion on agribusiness and another on agritourism. To register or for more information, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the Events tab.

East Pasco Networking
Beth Aker, director of East Pasco Meals on Wheels, and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells will be the featured speakers at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Nov. 12 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. For more information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149.

When rural tranquility and Olympic dreams clash

October 23, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Dania Vizzi wants to use a private skeet shooting range, off Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, to perfect her skeet shooting skills so she can make the U.S. team for the 2020 Olympics.

But, her neighbors say her Olympic quest is causing harm to their agricultural and horse-breeding pursuits, as well as disrupting their rural tranquility and peace of mind.

Those were among the issues aired out at an Oct. 10 Pasco County Commission public hearing on a request filed by Arthur and Doree Vizzi, Dania’s parents.

The 53-acre property is on the west side of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, about one-half mile east of Johnston Road, said Debbie Hernandez, Pasco County’s zoning administrator.

The skeet shooting range consists of a skeet field made up of shooting stations and two trap houses, Hernandez said.

The county has cited the Vizzi’s for developing the property without obtaining a permit for a conditional use, and the request is an attempt to address that violation.

County planners recommend approval of the request, contingent on several conditions.

During the public hearing, Dania Vizzi, of Odessa, told planning commissioners: “I’m a four-time world championship medalist; two-time national champion; just medaled at the Pan American Games and, as of last week, I am halfway onto the Olympic team for 2020.

“I just really need it (the skeet shooting facility) to train. This is my passion. This is what I love to do. I want to compete for my country as long as I can. I would just love your help with it,” she said.

Matt Newton, an attorney representing the applicants, said before purchasing the property, his clients reached out to the county and understood that as long as the property wasn’t being used for commercial uses, they could practice on the property.

“She practices several hours a day and an interruption of practice can be devastating to her preparation for competitiveness,” Newton said.

Newton said his client would agree to provide more privacy screening to buffer the properties on the north and south, but said the condition for a 20-foot berm is too expensive.

He said based on his research, meeting that condition would cost between $65,000 and $112,000.

Arthur Vizzi told planning commissioners: “We can’t agree to conditions that are beyond our capabilities. They are cost-prohibitive for us.”

Newton said: “The best method of mitigation in our opinion would be to limit the hours.”

His client agrees to no shooting before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m., and no shooting at all on Sundays, or on Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, the attorney said.

But, neighbors urged planning commissioners to consider the negative impacts they said have resulted from the skeet shooting facility.

“I’m not here to kill somebody’s dreams to be an Olympian. That’s not why I’m here,” said Glenn Stevenson, of 16653 Bellamy Brothers Blvd.

“I find it interesting that they can quote all of these awards, but they haven’t just happened. They happened before they purchased the property, as well. So this property isn’t key for her success as an Olympian,” Stevenson said.

“My business is being impacted negatively. I have lost people who boarded horses with me, that are very expensive brood mares. I run a breeding program. I have a reproduction lab on my farm,” he said.

“Originally, they told me it was going to be two hours a day. It was more like four to five hours, seven days a week.

“I can actually hear it in my house. I am the closest property to their property. I get all of the noise in my house,” he said.

He told planning commissioners he would like the use to be limited to five days a week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no shooting on holidays.

Judy Geiger, of 16225 Bellamy Brothers Blvd., lives on the property due south of the Vizzis’ parcel.

“I don’t want this next door to me,” Geiger said.

Beyond noise, she’s worried about contamination.

“The lead stays in the ground,” Geiger said.

She’s worried, too, about a negative impact on property values.

“Who wants to live next to gunfire noise?” she said.

Philip and Robin Rhinesmith, both of 16833 Bellamy Brothers Blvd., were among others voicing objections.

“There have certainly been quality of life impacts,” Philip Rhinesmith said. “It’s not the fact of the shooting. It’s the duration..”

They are also concerned about long-term impacts, he said.

“Typically, firing 250 rounds a day equates to about 15 pounds of lead on the ground. The accumulation over a year’s time could be 5,000 pounds a year,” he said.

Robin Rhinesmith added: “We have three generations of family living on our farm, which we’ve called home for about 50 years.”

The family lives among “beautiful live oak trees and pasture,” but they spend less time outside because of the constant gunfire.

“Using earbuds on the tractor doesn’t even drown it out,” she said.

She also noted that her daughter, a competitive equestrian for years, has stopped “because she doesn’t enjoy training on her own property.”

But, Doree Vizzi told planning commissioners that they bought the property to enable her daughter to train there.

“I do not want to cause problems with my neighbors.

“That’s not our goal.

“I go with my daughter 90% of the time to the range. I pull for her. She only shoots three or four hours by herself.

“There’s an over-reach and an over-exaggeration going on here right now,” she said.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, told planning commissioners: “The mere discharge of weapons is not something we can regulate because the Legislature told us we can’t. However, we can regulate gun ranges.”

Planning Commissioner Michael Cox said, “by going through this process and having at least some conditions, that would appear to me that it would be an improvement for the surrounding neighbors — specifically the hours of operation that they’re allowed to do it versus all of the time.”

Cox called for approval of the request, contingent on the planning staff’s conditions.

The motion passed and now the issue goes before the Pasco County Commission, which is slated to consider the request at a Nov. 5 public hearing.

Published October 23, 2019

Planning Commission supports requested changes

October 23, 2019 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Planning Commission has given its stamp of approval for a number of requests that would affect property use in the central and eastern portions of Pasco County.

The Planning Commission makes the final decision on special exception requests, but its decisions can be appealed to the Pasco County Commission. The County Commission has authority over other land use and zoning matters.

At its Oct. 10 public hearing in Dade City, the planning commission:

Approved a special exception request by Gianna Mari Siervo Fragoso for a kennel for dog training on a 1.08-acre site on the east side of Boyette Road, about 650 feet north of Clearview Drive. The kennel, at 7242 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel, will be used for dog training, boarding and breeding. Conditions limit use of the site to 30 dogs and specify that operating hours (open to the public) would be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Approved a special exception request by Kelsey and Jeremy Whitmer to operate a bed and breakfast on a 10-acre site on the north side of Hanlon Terrace, about 1,100 feet west of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard. The site contains a two-story residence. The applicants propose to use the mother-in-law suite as their residence and to operate the bed and breakfast out of the remaining area of the existing structure. The applicants also wish to host events inside the bed and breakfast. The applicants note that the property can accommodate up to 10 guests at a time and the farmhouse provides a unique setting for nightly accommodations.
Recommended the County Commission approve a zoning request by Amanda M. Bray, aka Simmons, to change the zoning from a mobile home district to an agricultural residential district. The 3.78-acre property is at the southeast corner of the intersection of Hillbrook Avenue and Westbrook Street. The item now goes to the Pasco County Commission for a final vote, which is scheduled on Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m., in Dade City.

Business Digest 10/23/2019

October 23, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Magnolia Pharmacy open house
Magnolia Pharmacy is now established at 12525 Curley Road in San Antonio, and is hosting an open house on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m., to celebrate. There will be refreshments from local vendors, a meet and greet with the pharmacy owner Shannon Corkrean, Pharm D, raffles and prizes. Everyone is invited. For more information, call (352) 588-3330, or visit MagnoliaPharmacyllc.com.

Influence through social media
Learn how your business can tap into sales, share information and build relationships through social media. Also, learn what to avoid on social media networks. A free workshop will be presented by Jennifer Frasier, of The Creative Stable Inc., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. The class is on Oct 23 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Women-n-Charge Mini Expo
Members of Women-n-Charge will have their first Mini Expo, in which they will display products and materials highlighting their businesses. The group will meet on Nov. 1 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The meeting includes lunch, a special Mini Expo and time to network. The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests who RSVP by Tuesday prior to the meeting. After that, it is $20 for members and $23 for guests. RSVP by Oct. 29. Register at Women-n-charge.com/meetings/. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Women’s Hall of Fame
The Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created in 2011 to celebrate the achievement of Hillsborough County women who have made significant contributions in such areas as education, business, philanthropy and public service. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 4. Nomination are available by calling Elizabeth Cardenes at (813) 274-6790.

North Tampa Bay Chamber awards banquet
The 20th annual North Tampa Bay Chamber Awards Gala is set for Nov. 7 at the Tampa Palms Country Club. It begins with a Business & VIP Reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is followed by a dinner. For more information about tickets, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Row House WiregrassRow House Wiregrass, a fitness facility at 28163 Paseo Drive, No. 180, in Wesley Chapel, had an open house celebration on Oct. 22, according to the North Tampa Bay Chamber calendar of events.

Baseball farm grand opening
Coach Ryan Pryor is hosting a grand opening celebration of the Pryor Baseball Farm — an event where friends, family, leagues and members of the media can visit the outdoor training farm. The baseball school is intended to be a place where young athletes can bridge the skill gap to pursue their dreams of reaching high levels within baseball and softball. The grand opening is set for Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about the event, or the facility, call Coach Ryan Pryor at (813) 992-1030, or email .

East Pasco Networking Group
Beth Aker, director of East Pasco Meals on Wheels, and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells will be the featured speakers at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Nov. 12 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. For more information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149.

How to Apply for a Business Loan
Learn how to apply for a business loan at this free workshop slated for Nov. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Branch Library 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City. The focus is on the individual requirements of the participants, including start-ups, mature businesses, and purchasing of existing businesses. The workshop will cover loan sources for loans ranging from $5,000 to $5 million, and business plans to accompany loan applications.

Basic Quick Books
This free two-hour seminar is aimed at individuals who are planning to start a business, or who have recently started a business, but who have not yet set up an effective record-keeping system. This seminar is an introduction to QuickBooks. It is not intended for advanced users. It will be on Nov. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.

43rd annual Holiday Parade
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is seeking entries for company floats and sponsorships for the 43rd annual Holiday Parade on Dec. 14. To find out more call (727) 842-7651

Blanket Drive
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is helping to spread the word about Blanket Tampa Bay, a 501c3 charitable nonprofit, that is collecting blankets for the homeless and less-fortunate. It has a goal of collecting 2,000 clean, new or gently used blankets. Visit Facebook.com/blanketthehomeless for more information. The blankets will be distributed on Christmas Eve at both locations of Trinity Café. For pickup, call (813) 300-9277.

Pasco County School is redrawing boundaries

October 16, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Turnout was light for a public workshop regarding school boundaries held last week at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

Thousands of students will be affected by the proposed changes, but the vast majority of changes relate to Cypress Creek Middle School, which is set to open in the fall of 2020.

The school district initially had planned to open both a high school and a middle school on the campus at 8701 Old Pasco Road.

Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools, explains proposed boundaries for Cypress Creek Middle School, during a public workshop on proposed school boundary changes. (Christine Holtzman)

But, the district was short on funding, so initially the high school buildings were used to house students in grades six through 12.

When the new middle school opens next fall, students in grades six through eight will shift to the new building.

But, boundary changes are needed to fill up remaining capacity at both the middle school and the high school.

The proposed changes primarily affect the Seven Oaks neighborhood, said Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools.

Specifically, the school district is proposing that 613 students now zoned to Wiregrass Ranch High School be shifted to Cypress Creek High School, and seven students zoned to Pasco High School be rezoned to Cypress Creek High School.

If that’s approved, the estimated enrollment at Cypress Creek High School would be 2,080, in a school which has a permanent capacity of 2,090.

After the proposed shift, Wiregrass Ranch would have an enrollment of 1,606 students, in a school with a permanent capacity of 1,633. Pasco High would have an enrollment of 1,602, in a school with a permanent capacity of 1,491.

The proposed boundary changes also call for shifting over to Cypress Creek Middle, an estimated 446 students now zoned to John Long Middle and five students now zoned to Pasco Middle.

If those changes are approved, Cypress Creek Middle would have an estimated 1,554 students, in a school with a permanent capacity of 1,600. John Long Middle would have 1,167 students, in a school with a permanent capacity of 1,327. Pasco Middle would have 918 students, in a school with a permanent capacity of 875.

Under the proposal, seven students living along State Road 52, at the north end of Old Pasco Road, would be reassigned from Pasco High to Cypress Creek High.

That shift is being proposed because where they live is a straight shot to Cypress Creek High, Williams said. “We felt that made sense.”

Alex Morales, of Wesley Chapel, center, and his wife Jessica, speak with Wayne Bertsch, communications and government liaison for Pasco County Schools, about their concerns relating to proposed school boundaries. The Morales family lives in Seven Oaks, a neighborhood that is currently zoned for Wiregrass Ranch High School, but under the new proposal, will be zoned for Cypress Creek High School.

The district also is proposing to shift an attendance area with 17 students in San Antonio Elementary over to Quail Hollow Elementary.

“These kids currently go to San Antonio Elementary, Pasco Middle and Pasco High. So, now they’re going to go to Quail Hollow Elementary, Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High,” Williams said.

In another proposed change, an attendance area with 143 students now zoned to Wesley Chapel High would be reassigned to Zephyrhills High. That would bring Zephyrhills High’s enrollment to 1,780, at a school with a permanent capacity of 2,004. It would bring Wesley Chapel High’s enrollment to 1,438, at a school with a permanent capacity of 1,506.

Williams said the change addresses a previous boundary shift.

“We rezoned some kids several years ago out of Wiregrass and John Long into Wesley Chapel and Weightman. We kind of shifted these kids over to Stewart Middle, but there wasn’t room at Zephyrhills, so they went to Wesley Chapel.

“The bulk of these kids go to Chester Taylor Elementary, then they go to Stewart and then they go to Wesley Chapel,” Williams said.

The planning director also noted that “Wesley Chapel has all of this growth coming from Epperson Ranch.

“So, we think it makes sense to fix the feeder pattern. Elementary and middle doesn’t change: They’ll still go to Chester Taylor and Stewart Middle. But, now they’ll go to Zephyrhills (High),” Williams said.

Zephyrhills High has room because the district just built a new classroom wing there.

As of last week, Williams had not received any feedback on the proposed shift affecting Zephyrhills High.

Overall, he has received about three dozen comment cards regarding the proposed boundary shifts changes — the vast majority coming from the Seven Oaks neighborhood.

As is often the case, those commenting said they’d bought their home in a specific neighborhood because of the school their child would attend, or they objected to the change because the new school is farther away from their home than their current school.

When the district drew up the original boundaries for Cypress Creek Middle High, it announced it would likely be shifting the Seven Oaks neighborhood over when the new middle school opened.

But, apparently that word did not get out to everyone, Williams said.

Jessica and Alex Morales, who live in Seven Oaks, said they moved into the neighborhood so their daughter could finish high school at Wiregrass Ranch. But, it now appears that their son, who is a freshman at Wiregrass Ranch, will be reassigned to Cypress Creek High next fall.

They attended the public workshop to see if there was any possibility their son could stay at Wiregrass Ranch High.

“We had moved from New York. He met all of his friends in sixth grade,” Jessica Morales said.

Under the proposal, he’ll be attending a high school that’s different from many of his friends.

“We’re trying to lessen that blow,” she said.

The family also has a second-grader they need to think about, too, she said.

They are planning to learn more about what Cypress Creek High has to offer.

Williams said there are other boundary changes proposed that would affect an area near State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway that is currently undeveloped, but has been approved for a massive development.

The proposal calls for assigning the entire area to Mary Giella Elementary, Crews Lake Middle School and Hudson High, Williams said.

Under the current boundaries, some of that future growth would have been assigned to Land O’ Lakes High, Pine View Middle and Connerton Elementary.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the district’s proposed boundaries can fill out a comment form by going to the district’s website, at Pasco.k12.fl.us.

The Pasco County School Board will have a public hearing on the proposed boundaries on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m., at 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The final public hearing is set for the same location on Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.

Published October 16, 2019

Aussie Grill, Carrabba’s and Bonefish are coming

October 16, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Bloomin’ Brands is bringing Aussie Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Bonefish Grill to Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 56, in Lutz.

Cypress Creek Aussie Grill will be the first stand-alone restaurant for that brand, and will have a dining room, according to Bloomin’ Brands officials. The only other U.S. location is at International Plaza in Tampa. (Courtesy of Bloomin’ Brands)

The restaurant chain, headquartered in Tampa, expects that the three new restaurants will create a total of about 200 new jobs, said Elizabeth Watts, representing Bloomin’ Brands.

Aussie Grill, expected to open in the first half of 2020, will be the first of the three to begin operations, Watts said, via email.

“The Cypress Creek Aussie Grill will be the first stand-alone restaurant and will include a dining room,” Watts added, noting the only other U.S. location for that brand is at the food court in Tampa International Plaza.

Both Bonefish and Carrabba’s will have a new appearance.

“The new Bonefish design is a modern look with high open ceilings and includes a glass-entry tower with blade awnings wrapping around both sides of the building,” Watts said.

“The new Carrabba’s design features white frosted thin brick with terra cotta tile wainscoting around the building, a pergola-style open patio and floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining area for an open feel connected to the outside,” Watts added.

The new Carrabba’s Italian Grill design features white frosted thin brick with terra cotta tile wainscoting around the building, a pergola-style open patio and floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining area for an open feel connected to the outside

Watts also noted that Cypress Creek Town Center, which is west of Interstate 75 and off State Road 56, is well-situated.

“This is a great location for many reasons, including the growth of the area and accessibility from the interstate, which make this a popular destination for local residents and tourists alike,” Watts said.

Additional details about the planned restaurants were contained in documents submitted when the restaurants applied for the county’s permission for on-premise sales of beer, wine and liquor. The requests were subsequently approved.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill is planning a 6,455-square-foot freestanding restaurant, with a 605-square-foot patio, according to county documents.

The new Bonefish design is a modern look with high open ceilings and includes a glass-entry tower.

Bonefish Grill is planning a 5,682-square-foot freestanding restaurant with a 418-square-foot patio, the documents say.

Aussie Grill is planning a 2,925-square-foot freestanding restaurant, with a 305-square-foot patio, according to the documents.

Bloomin’ Brands, which got its start in Tampa, is now one of the world’s largest casual dining companies with approximately 93,000 team members and more than 1,450 restaurants, according to its website. It has locations throughout 48 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 20 countries, including some franchise locations.

Published October 16, 2019

Changes could lead to ‘employment village’

October 16, 2019 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning on 130 acres on the southwest corner of State Road 52, about 70 feet west of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, to allow 1 million square feet of light industrial and 200,000 square feet of support commercial.

Commissioners approved the request as part of their consent agenda, which means it was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission and county planners, and there was no public opposition.

The application for the request was filed by 3KS Family Limited Partnership.

The site is currently unimproved and is being used for agricultural activities.

County staff has initiated a comprehensive plan amendment to allow multiple master-planned unit developments on the acreage, rather than a single master-planned unit development, and to make some additional changes.

Development on the site will be limited to light industrial or a target primary business, as identified by Enterprise Florida as a qualified target industry for the tax refund program, or a business that is identified by the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., on the economic development target industry list.

Access to the site will be off State Road 52, according to county documents.

The project is currently being evaluated by the Pasco Economic Development Council for the Pasco Ready Site Program.

Published October 16, 2019

Raising money to preserve the Old Lutz School

October 16, 2019 By B.C. Manion

On the surface, it will appear like any typical fall festival.

Vendors will line up, selling a wide array of items — and visitors to the Autumn Day at the Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz, will be able to stock up on all sorts of stuff.

There will be handmade soaps and scrubs. Salsas, jams and jellies. Wreaths. Terra cotta pots. Toys. Plants. Wooden signs and more.

The event will be on Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

This is what the Old Lutz School looked like decades ago — not much different from what it looks like today. (File)

Besides having the chance to check out scores of vendors, guests also can attend a free gardening workshop at 9:30 a.m.

Lynn Barber, from the University of Florida/IFAS-Hillsborough County Extension, will conduct the gardening workshop, which will focus on using high-color, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant plants in your home landscape.

On top of all that, people can tour the historic school building.

In a way, that’s what the event is all about — a method to raise money for the upkeep and preservation of a building that has played an important role in the life of the community of Lutz, said Stephanie Ensor, one of the organizers for this weekend’s event.

Ensor is a member of the Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building, a group formed in 1978 to preserve the building’s past and assure its future.

The group organizes an Autumn Market Day and a Spring Market Day each year, to raise money, she said.

The fundraisers are used to help make repairs, she said, and keep the school open for community events.

Upcoming repairs will include new front doors for the schoolhouse and treating for termites, she said.

“They’re repairing and rebuilding the existing windows. We can only do a few at a time because they’re really expensive,” Ensor said.

“We’re only doing three windows now. We’re going to get some new front doors because those have rotted out.”

The Old Lutz School is an important building in Lutz, Ensor said.

It is on both Hillsborough County’s Historic Landmark Registry and the National Register of Historic Places.

The old brick building, which has Colonial Revival architectural style, was designed by Frank A. Winn Jr. He also designed the Seminole Heights Methodist Church in Tampa, the Municipal Fishing Pier and Pavilion in Ballast Point Park and Tampa Heights Methodist Church, according to the Citizens for the Old Lutz School’s website.

Originally, the building had four rooms downstairs and a large auditorium upstairs. But, within a few years, the auditorium was divided into four rooms, plus a teacher’s room, the website adds.

The school educated generations of Lutz families, before closing decades ago. Volunteers now run the building, Ensor said.

And, each year, it is opened during the month of December, to welcome families to visit the school for several evenings of free community celebrations during the holiday season.

“This will be our 23rd year of hosting Christmas at the Old Lutz School.

“We host it for the whole month of December. It allows a place for the community to come together. It’s totally free. It just sort of gives back to the community, which has given to us,” Ensor said.

The building serves as a local gathering place, and helps to preserve “the small-town feel of our community,” Ensor said.

“We’ll get families that will meet up there with their little kids, and the kids are running around and playing, and watching a movie in the entertainment tent. It just gives everybody a real sense of community that is hard to come by these days.”

“It’s so genuine.

“We get so caught up in our day-to-day lives. It gives us a chance to slow down. And, that’s what we love about the schoolhouse,” Ensor said.

Autumn Day
Where: The Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz
When: Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What: Autumn Day features a variety of vendors. A gardening workshop will be given on high-color, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant plants at 9:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
Info: Call Stephanie Ensor at (813) 244-2256, or email .

Published October 16, 2019

Five-acre lots approved on Northeast Pasco tract

October 16, 2019 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning to allow homes to be built on 5-acre lots on a 211-acre tract at the northwest corner of Trilby Road and Dowling Lake Road.

The previous zoning required a minimum residential lot size of 10 acres.

No one spoke against the request during the commission’s Oct. 7 public hearing, where the request was approved unanimously.

The Pasco County Planning Commission and county planners had recommended approval for the request.

But, it had encountered opposition by area residents during a planning commission meeting, which sparked so much discussion, it was continued to another planning commission meeting before a vote was taken.

Neighbors expressed concerns about protecting the lake and preserving the area’s tranquil nature. They also cited the potential for safety hazards on Trilby Road, as a result of additional traffic.

However, no one appeared at the Pasco County Commission’s public hearing on the request to make those arguments.

The area’s development pattern includes lots ranging from 3 acres to 10 acres, Denise Hernandez, county zoning administrator told commissioners.

She also noted that the conditions limit lakefront development to eight lots, and prohibit a community dock, community boat launch or community beach.

Attorney Clarke Hobby represented the applicant, Massey Partners Limited. He was there to answer any questions the commissioners might have, but none were asked.

Published October 16, 2019