The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Pasco Schools budget nearly $1.4 billion

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The Pasco County School Board has approved a tentative budget approaching $1.4 billion for the coming fiscal year.

Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning covered high points of the proposed budget at last week’s Pasco County School Board meeting, before the board approved the tentative budget and tentative tax rate.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning outlines highlights from the proposed 2019-2020 budget. (File)

The new fiscal budget of $1,392,942,266 is an increase of $131.7 million over last year, Browning said. It includes a general operating budget of $664.5 million and a capital budget of $339.1 million, according to district figures.

The proposed tax millage rate for 2019-2020 fiscal year is 6.101 mills, which is a decrease of 0.178 mills.

Under the proposed rate, a homeowner of a $175,000 home, after the deduction of the $25,000 homestead exemption, would pay $26.70 less than they did last year, Browning said.

The district received additional funds totaling more than $27.8 million, to accommodate projected growth of 1,294 students and recurring expenses, the superintendent said.

Highlights of the proposed budget include a 3 percent increase for district employees and a 5 percent increase in costs for insurance benefits, as the district continues to cover 100 percent of the cost of employee insurance premiums.

The district also plans to increase its staff by 35.4 positions at the school level and 5.6 positions at the district level.

The largest appropriations in its capital budget include the remodeling and renovation of Zephyrhills High School; the construction of Cypress Creek Middle School; the construction of Starkey K-8; new classroom wings at Sunlake High and Bexley Elementary; and design work for a new magnet technical high school on the east side of the county.

The budget also includes a long list of maintenance projects and purchases, including the lease/purchase of computers and buses. And, includes the completion of the renovation/remodeling of Land O’ Lakes High School, which is almost finished.

No one spoke during the public comment portion of the public hearing, which was the first of two required public hearings. The second has been scheduled for Sept. 17 at 6 p.m., in the school board room at the district’s administrative complex, at 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Published August 07, 2019

Business Digest 08/07/2019

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Zephyrhills Chamber award nominees
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host its Membership Appreciation & Community Awards celebration on Aug. 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Here’s the list of the 2019 Awards in Excellence Nominees:

Small Business: Bob’s Tire and Auto; Commando’s Pizza; Palm Tree Acres MHC; PuroClean of Zephyrhills; Sittin Pretty Pet Parlor; SONG Printing; Zephyrhills Brewing Company

Large Business: AdventHealth Zephyrhills; Culver’s of Zephyrhills; Golden Corral; K & K Glass; Ryman Construction; Sonny’s BBQ of Zephyrhills; Suncoast Credit Union

Innovative Business: AdventHealth Wellness Center; Elite Soccer Skills Academy; Hemp & Coffee Exchange; Premier Community Health Care; The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Zephyrhills Executive Office Suites

Economic Development Champion: Beth Aker, Meals on Wheels; Kern’s Family Construction;  Ron Oakley, Pasco County Commission; Steve Spina, retired city manager; Sam Turgeon, Zephyrhills Executive Office Suites

Diamond Award: East Pasco Wheels on Meals; East Pasco YMCA; Elks Lodge BPOE 2731; Pregnancy Care Center; The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; The Church at Chancey Road; The Samaritan Project; The Thomas Promise

Citizen of The Year: Sam Abraham, Moose Lodge; Beth Aker, East Pasco Meals on Wheels; Katy Boyd, AdventHealth Wellness; Lee & Russ Heffelfinger, ABC Pizza; Randy Light, PuroClean; Cliff McDuffie, Zephyrhills Lodge 198; Cliff Moffett, Military Museum; Donna Moyer, Elks Lodge

Leadership in Government: Danny Burgess, executive director the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs; Ken Burgess, Zephyrhills City Council president; Gail Hamilton, CRA director; Bob Hatfield, staff member for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis; State Rep. Randy Maggard, District 28; Steve Spina, retired Zephyrhills city manager; Gene Whitfield, Zephyrhills Mayor; Zephyrhills City Council & Steve Spina.

Leadership in Youth: Eleanor Cornelius, booster president; Pin Chasers Zephyrhills; Rotary Club Noon; The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Charla Vande Berg. RBSMS; West Zephyrhills Elementary; Zephyrhills Lions Club; Zephyrhills Little League

Community Service: Tammy Dester, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Miriam Hansford, AmeriLife; Donna Moyer, Elks Lodge; Rod Rehrig, Marine Corps League; Anna Stutzriem, Main Street Zephyrhills

Chamber Member of the Year: Beth Aker, East Pasco Meals on Wheels; Vicky Jones, Palm Tree Acres; PuroClean of Zephyrhills; Rod Rehrig, Marine Corps League; San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union; Tampa Type & Print

Ambassador of the Year: Beth Aker, East Pasco Meals on Wheels; Cheryl Hinton, Pregnancy Care Center; Randy Light, PuroClean; Tim and Pam Proctor, Sisel

For more information about the banquet, go to ZephyrhillsChamber.org. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 782-1913.

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits grand opening
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits at 11868 State Road 54 in Trinity will have a grand opening celebration on Aug. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The store will offer a wine-tasting event, for $10, which features tastings of more than 50 wines and spirits. It also will give customers 10 percent off on their purchases that night.

Upcoming ribbon cuttings
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce has announced the following ribbon cuttings:

  • Mr. Electric of Land O’ Lakes, 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102, Wesley Chapel; Aug. 14 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Nerds to Go, 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, Aug. 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Morningstar Storage of Wiregrass, 28999 Anise Drive, Wesley Chapel, Aug. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Olympus Pools, 21859 State Road 54, Lutz, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Growth puts squeeze on schools

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As Pasco County Schools heads into another school year, crowded conditions are expected on several campuses within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

District officials are projecting that Wesley Chapel’s Wiregrass Ranch High School will operate at 141 percent of its capacity, with an estimated 2,310 students in a school designed for 1,633.

New construction continues to create the need for new schools or campus expansions in Pasco County. (Christine Holtzman)

Connerton Elementary School, in Land O’ Lakes, meanwhile, is projected to be at 120 percent of its capacity — with an anticipated 918 students at a school built for 762.

Other schools expecting big crowds are:

  • John Long Middle, projected at 123 percent of its capacity, with an expected 1,635 students at school designed for 1,327
  • Thomas Weightman Middle, projected at 116 percent of its capacity, with an expected 1,130 students at a school designed for 975
  • Cypress Creek Middle High, projected at 114 percent of its capacity, with an expected 953 students, in a space designed for 834

Chris Williams, the school district’s director of planning, outlined the district’s projected average daily memberships for 2019-2020 during a workshop with the Pasco County School Board last week.

Williams said a new Cypress Creek Middle School, expected to open in fall 2020, will provide relief for the area’s middle schools and Wiregrass Ranch High School.

That’s because the current Cypress Creek Middle High School is serving students in grades six through 12, in separate schools on the same campus.

Once the new middle school opens, it will have space for more students and high school space also will be freed to accommodate more students.

Williams said he also expects charter schools in the Wesley Chapel area to help absorb growth occurring there.

Sunlake High School, now operating over capacity, will get a 20-classroom wing, which is expected to be built this year. (File)

Even with boundary shifts, Wiregrass Ranch High’s enrollment will remain high, Superintendent Kurt Browning said.

“Keep in mind, there are more students moving in, right behind them,” Williams said.

“One thing we’re trying to avoid is a 10-period day,” Browning said.

Projects that are on the drawing board, or under construction, are expected to help the district address continued growth, Williams said.

Starkey K-8 is expected to open in two years, and is expected to provide relief to Odessa Elementary, which is expected to operate at 130 percent of its capacity this year.

Bexley Elementary and Sunlake Elementary are both adding classroom wings in the coming year, which will increase capacity at those growing schools.

Bexley, which opened in 2017, is projected to have 912 students at a school built for 906. The new classroom wing will accommodate 200 students.

Sunlake High School is projected at an enrollment of 1,994, at a school with a capacity for 1,698.

Although Connerton is expected to operate over capacity, Williams does not expect additional growth this year. Even so, he noted, “that is certainly something that we’re keeping an eye on because there’s obviously a lot of growth coming around that area.

The district’s high schools in Central Pasco and East Pasco all are expected to operate near or above capacity.

For instance, Zephyrhills High is expected to operate at 105 percent of capacity; Pasco High, at 117 percent of capacity; Cypress Creek Middle High, at 118 percent of capacity; Sunlake at 117 percent of capacity; and Land O’ Lakes High, at 95 percent of capacity.

Deputy superintendent Ray Gadd said the district expects a new magnet school, which will be built on the east side of the county, primarily will attract students from Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel, Pasco and Zephyrhills high schools.

The school will offer technical training programs and academic rigor. It is set open in 2022.

Major projects 2019-2020
Here is a look at major school construction projects planned in the 2019-2020, within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

  • Zephyrhills High School: Continuing campus-wide renovation
  • Land O’ Lakes High School: Wrapping up campus-wide remodel
  • Cypress Creek Middle School: Construction underway
  • Starkey K: Breaking ground within next couple of months
  • East side technical high school: Property acquired and design phase underway
  • Sunlake High: Adding a wing to increase capacity
  • Bexley Elementary: Adding a wing to increase capacity

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published July 31, 2019

Project needs outpace funding in Pasco County Schools

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As Pasco County Schools heads into a new school year, the district faces a perennial issue: There’s not enough money to cover district construction and maintenance needs.

“Our current debt is about $525 million,” Chris Williams, director of planning told Pasco County School Board members during a workshop last week.

Pasco’s rapid growth continues to create demand for new or expanded schools, and the district’s list of maintenance needs is lengthy.

There are buildings “that aren’t even on the list, that we can’t even get to,” said Alison Crumbley, school board chairwoman.

“There are lots of projects that need to be done that are not being done,” Williams agreed.

The state reduced its Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) fund for Pasco County Schools to zero for next year, Williams said.

“We received $1.2 million in ’18-’19, but are projected to receive zero this year,” he said.

“Of course, as you can tell with the current debt, our capital needs continue to outpace our revenue.”

School Board member Allen Altman said for people who are unfamiliar with the district’s size and scope, it’s hard to fathom its needs.

“We have, as a district, somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,400 individual buildings.

“You think about that and you look at the dollars that are here for maintenance and repair.

“We are below the estimated needed cost for the maintenance for our facilities. There is no golden pot of money,” Altman said.

So, as district staff deliberates on priorities, there is generally give-and-take between departments, Altman said.

He described how the conversations can go: One employee will say, “‘We can patch up this roof for one more year so you can get this safety thing you need done, over here.”

And, a food and nutrition employee will say: “OK, we’ll give up this serving line, so you all can fix that HVAC over there.”

“I want people to understand these are big dollar numbers we’re looking at, but when you spread over the number of campuses, the number of facilities and the amount of people coming in and out of them every day, just to maintain them — there is no pot of money sitting there,” Altman said.

The district must build new schools, renovate existing schools, fix roofs, paint buildings, provide buses, improve safety, upgrade technology, replace furniture and make myriad repairs, district officials say. The dollars simply don’t stretch far enough, they say.

There is some bright news, Williams said.

“In the tax roll, we’re projecting an 8.67 increase,” he said. This is the second year the county has exceeded the tax roll that was achieved back in 2007-2008.

The Penny for Pasco revenues also are projected to be up.

“Our Penny for Pasco collections continue to be at the highest level of collection since the inception of the Penny (tax).

In 2019-2020, the Penny revenue is projected to be $31.1 million, which Williams characterized as “very good news.”

The planning director also noted that impact fees are expected to come in at $26 million, which is higher than initially anticipated.

Even so, Altman said: “New residential growth never pays for itself. In spite of that impact fee number coming in higher than expected, it still does not cover our cost.”

Published July 31, 2019

Summer heat poses health risks; take steps to stay safe

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Heat advisories, warnings and watches have been issued in recent weeks across the country, putting millions of Americans at risk.

At least six deaths were attributed to the massive heatwave, and events, such as the New York City Marathon, were cancelled, according to CBS News.

Besides being uncomfortable, hot weather also can pose potential health risks. If you need to be outside, be sure to seek shade and be sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. (Christine Holtzman)

And, it comes as no surprise that Florida’s notorious heat and humidity also can create potentially dangerous conditions.

So, what can people do to reduce their risk of suffering from heat-related illnesses?

One of the most important steps people can take is to avoid dehydration, said Dr. Katrina Cordero, the Emergency Room medical director at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz.

Dehydration can lead to other complications, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke, she said.

Heatstroke is a serious condition that requires immediate emergency care, Cordero said.

Symptoms of heatstroke include a temperature, confusion and, at times, irritability, she said.

Other symptoms can include hallucinations and tremors, she added.

Cordero offered some reminders to help avoid heat-related illnesses.

“If you must be outside for a prolonged period of time, at least try to stay in some shade,” the doctor said.

Be sure to stay hydrated. It helps to carry a bottle around with you, to serve as a reminder, she added.

Drinking Gatorade can help, too, to restore electrolytes that are lost when people sweat.

A personal fan can help keep you cool, and wearing a broad brim hat can give you your own personal shade, too.

“If  you must go out, make sure you’re not staying out there all day,” she said.

Beach-goers also need to avoid too much time in the sun, she said. “You might want to take a break, go into a store — so your body has a chance to cool down.”

It’s also important to wear sunscreen, and to reapply.

People often forget to reapply — especially after they’ve been swimming, she said.

“Just a short exposure, with our strong sun, can cause some damage,” Cordero said.

The doctor also advised coaches to be sure they give their players plenty of chances for water or sports drink breaks.

“The hotter that it is, increase their (break)  frequency, depending on how long they’re staying out and how much they’re exerting themselves,” Cordero said.

Summer dangers

Children die in hot cars
Fifty-two children died in hot cars in 2018 — the deadliest year on record in the past 20 years, according to the National Safety Council. Almost 800 children have died from vehicular heatstroke since 1998.

How does it happen?

  • A caregiver forgets a child in a vehicle
  • The child gains access to a vehicle
  • Someone knowingly leaves a child in a vehicle

The National Safety Council says to stick to a routine to reduce the risk of forgetting a child. Keep a purse, briefcase or even a left shoe in the back seat to force you to look there before leaving the car. Also, be sure to keep vehicle doors locked, to prevent children from climbing in; and never leave a child inside the car when you are not there, even if you’re just running a quick errand. (Editor’s note: Remember to protect your pets from hot cars, too).

Prevent drownings
Drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 through 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC offers these key prevention tips:

  • Learn life-saving skills: Know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Fence your pool: Use a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates.
  • Require life jackets in and around natural water bodies, such as lakes or the ocean.
  • Be vigilant: Closely supervise kids when they’re in or near water, including bathtubs. Drowning happens quickly and quietly. Adults watching kids in and near water should avoid distracting activities, such as playing cards, reading books, talking on the phone, and using alcohol or drugs.

Heatstroke is dangerous, can be deadly
Heatstroke requires emergency treatment, experts at the Mayo Clinic say. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.

Published July 31, 2019

Business Digest 07/31/2019

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Women-n-Charge meets Aug. 2
Women-n-Charge, a networking group for women, will meet Aug. 2 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’s theme will be “Summer of Networking, One to One Table Style.”

Members will spend 2 minutes each sharing information and answering questions about their business to other women at their table.

For information on the cost and to register, go to Women-n-charge.com/meetings/. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Quality Inn replaces Ramada Inn
The Quality Inn, at 6815 Gall Blvd., has replaced the Ramada Inn, according to a news release from Tina Glinkowski, director of sales.

The bedding and furniture in guest rooms has been replaced, and the new operator will continue to update the property. Features at the hotel include free wireless Internet, an outdoor pool, a 24-hour business center, a free continental breakfast, and meeting space.

Some rooms in the hotel are pet-friendly, for which there is an extra charge.

Fairy hair extensions offered
Fairy House Studio at 1418 Julie Lagoon Road in Lutz is offering fairy hair extensions.

Fairy hair is a lightweight reflective thread that is woven into your hair to create a magical sparkly look. Fairy hair is great for all ages and can be used on all types of hair, long or short, curly or straight, treated or colored. Fairy hair lasts from a few days to months.

The studio is operated by Nataly India.

For more information call or text (813)728-4325, or visit FairyHairByNatalyIndia.com.

New U-Haul location
San Ann Truck Rentals at 30904 State Road 52 is now offering U-Haul products and services.

New breakfast place
Breakfast Station has opened at 21519 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive, in the Village Lakes Shopping Center in Land O’ Lakes. The restaurant serves a wide assortment of breakfast and lunch choices, with selections such as the Depot Breakfast, Railroad Yard Omelets, the Depot Melt, and many others.

For a full menu and other information, visit BreakfastStationCentral.com.

Common Grounds Pitch series
Interested in pitching your startup idea? You might want to check out the Common Grounds Startup Presentations hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart program.

Two businesses each will make their pitch on Aug. 14 at 10 a.m., at the SMARTstart East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., Dade City.

To sign up to make your pitch and for more information, go to PascoEDC.com, and click on the events tab.

Women of Wesley Chapel
Women of Wesley Chapel (WOW) meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., on the first Friday of each month, at Beach House Assisted Living and Memory Care at Wiregrass Ranch, 30070 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel. The group is the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s women-only networking group. The cost is $5, which includes breakfast and networking.

To RSVP, call (813) 994-8534, or email . Prepayment and registration is strongly encouraged.

Recruiting speakers for Business week
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is planning ahead for the 27th annual Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce Business Development Week, which will be Jan. 27 through Jan. 31, 2020. The chamber is now making an open call for potential conference speakers. This year’s conference theme will be “Visualizing your success in 2020.”

If you’re interested in becoming a speaker for the conference, submit a presentation proposal to The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce by Aug. 2. Some examples of presentation topics are: Increasing sales; Improving customer service; Increasing the use of technology in your business; Networking; Motivating employees; Improving cash flow; and, Human Resources. Potential presenters may choose other business-related topics, too.

For more information on how to submit your presentation, visit GreaterPasco.com.

Recent ribbon cuttings
These are recent ribbon cuttings that were on The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s July’s calendar:

  • Life’s Treasure Thrift Store, 4910 Allen Road, ribbon cutting and open house on July 26
  • CBD Store Land O’ Lakes, 7902 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in the Connerton Publix Shopping Center on July 29
  • Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, in Trinity. The medical center has added a new vascular robotics program. The event was set for July 30.

East Pasco Networking
Cheryl Hinton will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Aug. 13. The group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 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.

A winter play park in Florida?

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A new winter play park may be coming to East Pasco.

The attraction would have a snow hill where people could go snow-tubing, an area where they could play in the snow, and other features.

The winter park would be situated next to the Tree Hoppers Aerial Adventure Park, off St. Joe Road, east of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, in Dade City.

The Pasco County Planning Commission and the county’s planning department have recommended approval of the request, with conditions.

A dozen letters in support have been incorporated into the public record, as part of the application, but the request also encountered opposition during the planning commission’s July 11 public hearing.

The applicant is seeking conditional use approval for two parcels, as well as permission to sell beer and wine for consumption on premises, said Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator/special projects manager.

The western parcel makes up about 58.5 acres and the eastern parcel makes up about 60 acres, Hernandez said.

The western parcel consists of areas of dense vegetation and a mature tree canopy. The applicants want to convert that into a winter park.

The eastern parcel is occupied by Tree Hoppers, which was approved as a conditional use in 2012. It consists of zipline and rope ridge obstacle courses, concession areas, and a gift and pro shop.

The Tree Hoppers site also is used to host an annual fall festival and Halloween festivities, including Scream-A-Geddon. Those events have been operating under annual temporary use permits.

The pair of attractions would be on the north side of St. Joe Road, about 800 feet east of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard and on the east side of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, approximately 1,400 feet north of Bent Fork Road.

The conditional use, which would apply to both parcels, would allow the winter park to operate up to 120 days a year and the festivities on the Tree Hoppers site to operate up to 56 days a year, according to proposed conditions. Both of the attractions would operate between two and seven days a week, and both attractions would not be allowed to operate at the same time, according to the conditions.

Attorney Clarke Hobby said his client owns the Tree Hoppers site and purchased the other parcel.

“There is actually new technology where you can build a snow hill, and provided that the weather stays under 80 degrees, the snow will stay in place for an extended period of time,” Hobby said.

“While we’re asking for a term that may be up to 120 days (for the winter park), my suspicion is, based on being born and raised here — it may be only open 30 or 45 days a year,” Hobby said.

The proposed winter park would not be the first operation of its kind, the attorney said.

“They’ve got one up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and it’s a bigger facility than we may have here, but this is what they are talking about creating. They’re very, very popular. People really, really enjoy them with their kids,” Hobby said.

The attorney said his client wants to be a good neighbor and has had a number of neighborhood meetings, which he described as being productive.

As a result, most of the neighbors living or having property closest to the site have submitted letters of support, Hobby said, adding he would be glad to continue working with any neighbors who have concerns.

William Geiger, who owns property next to the proposed winter park, told planning commissioners that he’s concerned that the proposed project could negatively impact his property values.

“I just don’t feel a 40-foot snow hill fits the agenda you all put in for Northeast Pasco,” Geiger said.

He characterized the request as a commercial operation, and said there are plenty of other commercial locations where it could go.

Stephen Gonzalez, of St. Joe Road, lives less than a mile from the proposed attraction.

“I moved out there 23 years ago. We did so because it’s quiet and it’s rural, and you can see the stars at night,” Gonzalez said.

He doesn’t mind Tree Hoppers, because the attraction is back in the woods.

But, he asked:  “How did Scream-A-Geddon come about?

“It’s like having the state fair at the end of your residential road, for about two months. That kind of traffic. That amount of cars. That amount of people, driving up and down the roads. “That amount of trash, on the side of the roads. Every Saturday and Sunday. It’s a big crowd.

“I think it’s .75 miles from my house to the corner of St. Joe and Bellamy Brothers,” Gonzalez said.

Like Geiger, Gonzalez said the proposed attraction should be in a commercial space.

“It’s just in the wrong area. It should be on (U.S.) 301. It should be on (U.S.) 19. It should be in a commercial business area,” he said.

“This is an amusement park. People are paying admission. This should be in a commercial area,” he said.

“It’s on a road that’s a completely quiet, rural residential road,” Gonzalez said. “This doesn’t fit at all to that rural, residential setting.”

Hobby said one of the reasons for locating the park in the area is because of the land’s contours. “There’s a natural roll on it. There is about a 30- to 40-foot drop over the west side.”

The attorney also noted the plan calls for substantial buffering.

Hernandez said the conditions place specific limits on the operating hours.

When the winter park is open, its operating hours would be Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

When the fall festival and Scream-A-Geddon area open, the operating hours will be Sunday through Thursday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Planning Commissioner Jaime Girardi spoke in favor of the request.

“The applicant here seems like he’s done a lot to protect the buffer. He’s protected the access. He’s limited the access to only St. Joe Road.

“I think the applicant has done a lot to try to be a good neighbor,” Girardi said.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has the final say on zoning and land use issues.

Published July 24, 2019

Pasco embarks on new type of high school

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The Pasco County school district is planning a new magnet high school that doesn’t fit the traditional mold.

It will combine a rigorous curriculum along with technical skills training — and will seek community partnerships to give students real-world experiences, said Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools.

Coming up with a name for the school is a little bit tricky, Gadd said.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, talks about a new high school the district plans to open in 2022 that will combine opportunities for mastering academics and technical skills. (B.C. Manion)

The idea is to prepare students to have many options when they leave high school — whether, say, they want to work as a welder for someone else; or, they want to have their own welding business.

While the district invites public suggestions to help it come up with a name for the school, it is proceeding with the school’s design.

The magnet school will be built at Curley and Keifer roads, in Wesley Chapel, on the former Kirkland Ranch property. The school is being built to accommodate 900 students, but is designed for expansion, if there’s a larger demand.

Students are expected to come primarily come from Zephyrhills, Wiregrass Ranch, Cypress Creek, Wesley Chapel and Pasco high schools, but also might come from as far away as Sunlake and Land O’ Lakes high schools.

The planned opening date is fall of 2022, and the school may begin operations with just a freshman class, or perhaps freshman and sophomore classes, Gadd said.

The district wants to give the school some time to develop its own community and to build its brand, he explained.

As time goes on, the school wants to become increasingly involved in the community and for the community to be increasingly involved in the school, the deputy superintendent said.

For instance, the district also has begun having conversations with people who have various types of expertise.

Sometimes those conversations may yield helpful suggestions for refining the curriculum; other times, they may lead to partnerships that support programs, or provide real-world opportunities for students, Gadd said.

The leadership at this school will likely be different, too. Rather than a principal and assistant principal, it’s likely to have leaders who spend part of their time on campus and part of their time out in the community, he said.

The interactions that can result can yield many new opportunities, he explained.

Program plans for the school include academies for business, finance and marketing; digital technology; engineering technology; health science and human services; transportation technology; and, building technology. The school will serve grades nine through 12, and will offer industry certification in high-demand career fields.

There also will be post-secondary education programs offered after-hours, Gadd said.

The deputy superintendent said the new school will be a departure from tradition, but he said he thinks that is what parents want for their children.

“I’m a big advocate in not building the same old high schools, the same old middle schools and the same old elementary schools. I’d like to see that campus someday represent the market, so to speak.

“Parents are asking us for something other than the traditional cookie-cutter school,” he said.

Have an idea for this school’s name?
Pasco County School Board policy encourages community members, educators and students to provide suggestions for school names. The board has the final say. Suggested names should be accompanied by a brief explanation. Email submissions to , with the subject line “school name,” or fax them to (813) 794-2716.

Understanding Gen Z*

  • Have never known a non-digital world
  • Make up 32 percent of the 7.7 billion global population
  • Use Smartphones 15.4 hours a week
  • Respond best to short, visual marketing strategies

Understanding the job market

  • 47 percent of current middle-class jobs in the United States are at risk of being replaced by automation over the next 20 years
  • 85 percent of the jobs that will exist in 2030 have not yet been invented

Sharing the school’s goals

  • Prepare students for success
  • Enhance the high school experience
  • Inspire innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Simulate real-world experiences
  • Foster mentorship and community connections

*Gen Z are those born in 1995 or later

Source: HepnerArchitects/CanonDesign

Published July 24, 2019

Request raises questions about sites for schools, parks

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change that would make it easier for landowners along State Road 52, near Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, to pursue development.

However, planning commissioners also are recommending that any development done in the area be accompanied by a map that identifies where future sites would be located for schools and parks. The requirement for that map would be triggered before any residential development is allowed.

Planning commissioners also recommend that no heavy industrial be allowed, except for that which falls under the definition of a targeted industry. Targeted industries are the types of businesses the county is trying to attract to provide more high-wage jobs in Pasco.

The planning commissioners’ recommendations came during a discussion of the current land use policies involving the Central Pasco Employment Village Area Plan.

The village plan, which was adopted in 2007, recognized a coordinated effort among landowners to create a vision for 2,400 acres of land, with goals of providing jobs and housing, among other things. A financial plan for the area was among the original conditions.

Since then, however, there have been some changes in land ownership and at least one of the landowners has asked the Pasco County Commission to change the policies so they can seek approval for an individual plan for their land.

That’s why the county’s planning staff is seeking changes, explained Nectarios Pittos, director of planning and development for Pasco County.

“This particular text amendment is a county-initiated text amendment. It was found to be difficult to come together to develop the entire planning area at once,” Pittos said.

Planning Commissioner Michael Cox, however, isn’t wild about changing the approach.

“Overall, I have a problem with this whole request,” Cox said.

He said the property owners involved in the original plan agreed to it, and the new buyers knew what they were buying into.

“It’s concerning to me that now, we’re seeing a property owner wanting to pull out of that and go back to the way we used to do it,” Cox said.

Planning Commissioner Chris Williams, who also is planning director for Pasco County Schools, sought assurances that if changes are made, that there will be a provision for park and school sites.

The problem is that those needs could be overlooked, if individual developers are allowed to peel off, Williams said.

“If they come in, and they’re planning this whole area, then they have to take care of schools and parks,” Williams said.

But, if there isn’t a master plan, a number of residential developments could come in that are too small to trigger the requirement for a school site but, when taken together, create the demand for a school site, Williams said. By then, however, all of the land has been taken up by development and the school system can’t find nearby sites.

There are 4,500 residential units approved in the plan, according to David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney.

He asked Williams if a provision is added requiring school and parks sites to be identified — before residential is approved — would address his concern.

Williams said that it would.

But, others in the audience also raised concerns.

“I’m the landowner who initially suggested that we go with individual MPUDs (master-planned unit developments), so that we can develop the industrial piece at the corner of State Road 52 and Bellamy Brothers Road (Boulevard),” said George Southworth, one of the property owners.

“We need to do something with the property. It’s a perfect place to create jobs for the county,” Southworth added.

He also noted that what he wants to do there would not generate a need for schools.

He acknowledged he has other residential properties within the village plan that likely would contribute to the need for school facilities, but this particular piece would not.

Southworth also emphasized: “There is a plan. We’re sticking with the plan and the appropriate land uses that were identified and approved by the county in that plan. We’re just saying, now we can move forward one landowner at a time, or two or three, whoever wants to work together. Otherwise, we’re just stopped dead in our tracks,” Southworth said.

Other landowners, however, expressed concerns.

“I am one of the owners within this MPUD. When I bought the property, I knew what was in here. I was comfortable with it, or I wouldn’t have bought it. It gave certain protections,” said property owner Andy Scaglione.

“When the board mandated — for the fast track on this, they did not know there was serious concerns among other property owners. All they were hearing from was Mr. Southworth.

“I own 133 acres.

“I think we need to slow this down. This is 2,400 acres on Highway (State Road) 52. This is very, very valuable property. This is moving way too quick. There’s too many questions. Let’s look at also some of these heavy industrial uses because that should not be allowed here.

“(State Road) 52 is going to be (State Road) 54, in not too long. Let’s move slow on this. Let’s get it right,” Scaglione said.

Other speakers also encouraged the county to slow the process down, to make sure that nothing’s allowed that could harm other landowners’ property values.

“Our biggest concern is the industrial. Everybody agrees it needs to get done right the first time,” said Terry Schrader, who lives on West Pasco Road.

Ultimately, planning commissioners amended the proposed change to allow light industrial or heavy industrial when it is affiliated with targeted industries.

The next step will be for a public hearing by the County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning matters.

Published July 24, 2019

The Edison Suncoast is going up in Pasco

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TPA Group, of Atlanta, has announced the details for The Edison Suncoast, a project under construction in the Northpointe Village development, off State Road 54, in Lutz.

The development consists of two three-story office buildings totaling 155,000 square feet.

Completion of the first 77,500-square-foot building is expected in the first quarter of 2020, and the schedule for the second building will be based on demand, said Barry Oaks, senior director for Cushman & Wakefield, the exclusive leasing agent for the project.

This computer-generated rendering offers a peek at what The Edison Suncoast will look like when it’s completed. Two loft-style buildings are being developed on a speculative basis. (Courtesy of Cushman & Wakefield)

The project is being built on a speculative basis, supported through a low-interest, partially forgivable loan from Pasco County, said Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

The project is in response to an evolving market, Oaks added.

“Pasco County and surrounding areas have become more developed,” Oaks said. “We feel there’s an unmet need for office space.”

The project is situated on an 18.45-acre site at Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54, in Pasco County, about 30 miles northwest of Tampa’s urban core.

The submarket, known as the 54 Corridor, is considered the next residential growth pocket in the Tampa Bay area, according to material provided by Cushman & Wakefield.

Demographics show a 95.2 percent increase in population from 2000 to 2010, and the current population of 53,130 is projected to grow by 21 percent by 2022.

The location is central to an abundance of residential communities, high-quality retail and dining options, as well as two hotels. Its proximity to the Suncoast Parkway provides convenience to Tampa International Airport, as well as Tampa’s Westshore District and Downtown, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

The building design calls for large windows, to invite an abundance of natural light into the structure. There’s also an open design, allowing tenants a great degree of flexibility, Oaks said.

Amenities include a fitness trail, a third-floor open deck, and a permanent food truck driveway in the courtyard.

Oaks said leasing is just getting started, but noted there is considerable interest in the project and there are talks underway.

Being in the midst of substantial residential development is a plus, Oaks said, because “you’ve got rooftops — so you’ve got access to labor and you’re not having to sell a commute.”

Put another way, there’s “a healthy labor pool in your own backyard,” Oaks said.

The Pasco EDC’s Cronin said the county provided the loan because it wanted to activate the construction of speculative Class A office space.

The county has to turn down projects that are interested in coming here because it lacks sufficient Class A space, Cronin said.

“Class A, just by the nature of being Class A, is going to attract high-wage, high-impact jobs.

“Most of the office spaces we have here currently are kind of a high class B.

“Having a true Class A building is going to attract folks who have a little prestige with their name,” Cronin added, and those employers offer the kind of high-wage jobs the county wants to attract.

Published July 24, 2019