The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Wesley Chapel’s ‘crown jewel’ to get major overhaul

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Miami-based Mast Capital, the owner of Saddlebrook Resort, has received a stamp of approval from the Pasco County Commission to pursue an ambitious redevelopment plan of the property, off State Road 54, slightly over a mile east of Interstate 75.

During its glory days, Saddlebrook — often referred to as Wesley Chapel’s crown jewel — enjoyed an international reputation for excellence, and attracted luminaries from the worlds of professional golf and tennis to compete and train there.

Mast purchased the resort from its original owner Tom Dempsey, and after months of negotiations and compromises, received permission to pursue its plans to revitalize the resort.

In broad strokes, the redevelopment plan is divided into four areas.

Area 1 and Area 2 are outside of the original gated community.

  • Area 1 includes 75,000 square feet of commercial retail/office, 465 multifamily units and 25 townhomes.
  • Area 2 includes 25,000 square feet of commercial retail/office and 120 townhomes.

 Area 3 and Area 4 are within the existing resort community.

  • Area 3 includes tennis courts, parking, the renovation of the clubhouse and resort area.
  • Area 4 calls for replacing two 18-hole Arnold Palmer courses with three nine-hole courses; and, the relocation of the driving range, which currently fronts State Road 54.

The developer also has committed to improvements aimed at handling the project’s traffic. It has agreed to build a road across a portion of its property that will link into Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard.

Saddlebrook Resort, credited with putting Wesley Chapel on the map, is gearing up for a massive makeover. (File)

It also will add turn lanes at Saddlebrook’s main entrance and make a connection to Vandine Road.

A new gated access point for Saddlebrook residents and a multi-use path to provide Saddlebrook residents access to areas beyond the community’s gate also will be added.

Mast also has signed a deed restriction that guarantees that the golf course land will never be used for commercial or residential development.

A big part of the plan involves the overhaul of the resort itself. 

Mast Capital will renovate the resort facilities, while both Mast and third-party condo hotel owners will upgrade the individual hotel rooms.

Mast will manage the hotel room renovations and third-party investors will have an opportunity to opt in. Mast and third-party investors will pay the same renovation cost per unit.

Initially, Mast’s plans faced a wall of resistance from Saddlebrook owners and residents.

But over time — after dozens of meetings — that opposition decreased.

Still, areas of disagreement did not entirely go away.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said it’s in the best interest of both Mast Capital and the owners of property within Saddlebrook Resort that the redevelopment effort is a success.

During the county board’s July 10 public hearings, Jane Graham, an attorney representing the Save Saddlebrook Coalition, cited continuing concerns about the conversion of 36 holes of golf to 27 holes.

She expressed appreciation for Mast’s decision to convert some of its planned townhomes into green space, but said concerns continue regarding the amount of pavement required for apartment parking.

Larry Barbetta, a founder of the Save Saddlebrook Coalition, called for greater sensitivity to the existing community to ensure compatibility and he again asked for a reduction, or shift, in density to help achieve that.

He also expressed appreciation for the quest to revitalize Saddlebrook.

“We’re all saddened by its current state. We all support Mast’s efforts to bring that back to what it should be. We want to help accelerate that,” Barbetta said.

Patrick Hogan, an advocate for retaining the two 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf courses, presented a plan that could keep those golf courses, while maintaining the driving range’s current location and making room for other improvements.

His idea, however, gained no traction.

Keith Swope, a resident of Saddlebrook since the 1980s, lamented the inevitable change he believes the redevelopment will bring to his daily life.

 “It is a peaceful, quiet, lifestyle,” Swope said. “It looks like that’s going to be changed. It’s not going to be for the better.”

Hope Kennedy, president and CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, however, advocated on behalf of Mast’s redevelopment plans.

“This is the type of project that communities around this country are dying for. They would be thrilled to have this kind of investment coming into their community,” Kennedy said, noting she represented the chamber board and the business organization’s 610 members.

“Saddlebrook literally put Wesley Chapel on the national and international map, and they have been a contributing force in tourism and commerce.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman said the county board has made it ‘loud and clear’ that it has high expectations of Mast Capital, the company that will be redeveloping the Saddlebrook Resort. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

“As with any asset, it must be nurtured and constantly improved upon.

“For us to continue to prosper as a region, we must evolve. We, the chamber, applaud Mast Capital for their vision to improve the crown jewel of Wesley Chapel.

“They have gone above and beyond to ensure the legacy of Saddlebrook continues. We thank them for investing in our community,” Kennedy said.

County Commissioner Ron Oakley said it’s in the best interest of both Mast and Saddlebrook property owners for the redevelopment to succeed.

“You’re going to find a very well-built Saddlebrook, that’s a modern age Saddlebrook — that’s different from the one that was in the ‘80s, and you’re going to see that thrive, in this new economy that we have now,” Oakley predicted.

He expects Mast to address traffic issues and to be expeditious in its redevelopment efforts.

“If they don’t take care of traffic and they can’t get people in and out of there, guess what, they’re not going to rent anything in there. It’s not going to happen,” he said.

Oakley added: “They can’t just lollygag around. They’ve got to go forward and get this thing done. If those units aren’t starting to be renovated in the hotel area, they’re not going to rent them because nobody is going to stay in there because they’re outdated.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she agrees with the sentiments expressed by chamber executive Kennedy. Like the chamber leader, Starkey said she appreciates Mast’s willingness to invest in Saddlebrook.

Commissioner Seth Weightman told Mast: “We’re putting our name behind you, right?”

“We all have high expectations. You’ve heard us loud and clear.

“Don’t let us down.

“Don’t let the folks that live there down,” Weightman said.

Published July 19, 2023

Business Digest 07/19/2023

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Local Hoteliers honored
SpringHill Suites Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn Tampa have received awards for excellence and service. The awards were announced by Florida’s Sports Coast at a recent Pasco Tourism Development Council meeting.

  • Springhill Suites Marriott in Land O’ Lakes received the Silver Circle Award for ranking in the top 20% of the brand for the 2022 calendar year. In order to be eligible for the award, the hotel must have been open throughout 2022 and be in compliance with all brand standards. 
  • Residence Inn by Mariott in Wesley Chapel received the Silver Elite Award, recognizing the top hotels in the 2022 calendar year.  
  • Hilton Garden Inn Tampa, in Wesley Chapel, received the 2022 Hilton Award of Excellence. This award recognizes the top 5% of hotels in the Hilton Garden Inn Brand in each region.

“We are honored to work with tremendous hoteliers here in Florida’s Sports Coast, and we are proud to celebrate their highly recognized achievements in the industry,” Adam Thomas, Florida’s Sports Coast tourism director, said in a release.

E-Verify required, as of July 1
The North Tampa Bay Chamber has notified its members that a new law, which took effect July 1, requires certain employers to use the federal E-Verify database to verify the employment eligibility of new employees and certify to the State of Florida that it’s in compliance. The law applies to employers with 25 or more employees, however, employers with fewer than 25 employees can choose to use E-Verify and certify under the new state law. The law is already in effect, but penalties do not take effect until July 1, 2024, according to the chamber’s posting. More information is available through the chamber.

City of Tampa expands center
The Tampa Convention Center recently celebrated its new waterfront meeting rooms, over the Tampa Riverwalk, according to a city news release. The ceremony marked the completion of construction of a 16,000-square-foot two-story addition. The convention center is at 333 S. Franklin St., in downtown Tampa.

Commerce & Coffee
The North Tampa Bay Chamber hosts Commerce & Coffee on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Raining Berries, 25595 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. It’s a chance for chamber members to network, without an agenda, in a relaxed setting.

Pasco Chamber honors Judi Fisher
Judi Fisher, from Architectural Signage and Printing, has received the prestigious Chairman’s Award from the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce. She was honored for consistently demonstrating an exceptional level of commitment, dedication and outstanding performance, according to a chamber posting.

“Her contributions have been invaluable, and her unwavering support has significantly contributed to the success and growth of our organization,” the posting says.

Tampa Downtown Partnership board
The Tampa Downtown Partnership has announced its board leadership for 2023-2024, according to a news release. The new board members are:

  • Jin Liu, board chairwoman
  • Abbey Ahern, immediate past chair and secretary
  • Stephen Panzarino, vice chair
  • Tim Koletic, treasurer

Other members of the executive committee are: Dr. Jason Collins. Michael English, Jeff Houck, Kimberly Madison, Marshall Rainey and Braxton Williams.

SCORE mentors
Businesses needing help can get it from a SCORE mentor, and people with knowledge to share can volunteer to mentor others. SCORE welcomes those needing assistance, as well as those who are able to provide it. Find out more by visiting SCORE.org/pascohernando.

Habitat for Humanity board named
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has announced its board of directors for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, according to a news release. Those board members are:

  • Heather Ford, chairwoman
  • Frank Starkey, vice chairman
  • Ken Ginel, treasurer
  • Chris Hackey, secretary
  • Brandon Brayboy, immediate past chair
  • Ian Peterson, Chris Majesk, Lynn Skelton, at-large members

Mike Sutton is also a non-voting member of the board.

Barbecue & Networking
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce has its monthly barbecue lunch and networking event in Land O’ Lakes on the second Thursday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at New Beginnings, 18935 Michigan Lane, in Land O’ Lakes.

The event is hosted by Judi Fisher. Those attending can place a lunch order for barbecue, catered by Hungry Harry’s, if they choose. The gathering is free for chamber members, plus the cost of food. There’s a $10 fee for non-members.

If you are not a member but would like to check out the event for free, call the chamber office at 727-842-7651 or 813-909-2722 for a one-time free entry.

The lunch is sponsored by Architectural Signage & Printing.

Airport development regulations coming in for a landing in Pasco

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of an ordinance that will create airport overlay districts to prevent potential threats to airport operations and air navigation.

The proposed ordinance would apply to Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, publicly owned and publicly maintained; Tampa North Aero Park and Pilot Country Airport, publicly used and privately owned; and Hidden Lake Airport, privately used and privately owned, according to Denise Hernandez, Pasco County’s zoning administrator.

It also will apply to the Brooksville Airport, but only in terms of height restrictions, which are controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Hernandez said.

Existing development will be deemed a conforming use, meaning it can remain and, if something should happen to damage or destroy those uses, they can be rebuilt, Hernandez told planning board members during their June 22 public hearing on the topic.

The ordinance will be codified in a new section of the county’s land development code relating to Airport Overlay Districts.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, seen here, will be subject to a new airport overlay expected to be adopted by the Pasco County Commission on Aug. 8. The new overlay district also would apply to Tampa North Aero Park, Pilot Country Airport and Hidden Lake Airport. The idea is to prevent potential threats to airport operations and air navigation. (File)

Florida statute requires all local airports to adopt zoning regulations that are consistent with state law, Hernandez said. Airports that had adopted airport zoning regulations had to modify them to be consistent with that law.

“It basically states that we had to adopt, administer and enforce airport protection zoning regulations and land use compatibility zoning regulations,” Hernandez explained.

Efforts to draft the Airport Overlay Districts began in 2017, when the Pasco County Commission established an Airport Zoning Commission.

At that time, the Airport Zoning Commission consisted of  the Tampa North Aero Park, the Pilot Country Airport and the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. In 2021, Hidden Lake Airport was added.

The Pasco County Commission also took action in 2018 to approve an interlocal agreement with the City of Zephyrhills and Hernando County.

The county board also hired a consultant to do noise contour studies, which were adopted by a resolution of the board.

“Those noise contour studies are embedded within the ordinance that you’re looking at today,” Hernandez told the planning board.

She also noted that a moratorium on development near airports was adopted by the county board in 2022. That moratorium is set to expire on Aug. 15.

During the moratorium, Hernandez, Senior Assistant County Attorney Elizabeth Blair and other county staffers worked with stakeholders including land use attorneys, planners, engineers, airport owners, pilots and other interested parties to address the issues.

“The Airport Zoning Commission held workshops. The Airport Zoning Commission held public hearings,” Hernandez said.

Once adopted, the ordinance will be administered by the county’s planning and development department, with appeals going to the planning board.

The ordinance defines different areas pertaining to an airport, such as the airport influence area, the airport zone and the airport surface area, and establishes uses that would be acceptable, would be allowed with mitigation and would be prohibited.

Seeking fair application of new regulations
Planning board member Jon Moody wanted assurances that the new regulations would be applied fairly and consistently.

Blair said the county patterned its ordinance after Santa Rosa County, which has an extensive airport zoning regulation land use compatibility chapter in its land use development code.

She said that’s because Santa Rosa has scores of military installations and also has an airport, similar in size to Tampa Park Aero North Airport.

Blair added: “We looked at our zoning maps. We looked at our Future Land Use maps. We looked at aerials, the property appraiser’s website, etc. — to actually see, what is the potential for the actual use of the land in the approach surface floor?

“One of the things you don’t want to have in your approach surface area is a large assembly of people,” Blair said. “Obviously, you don’t put churches or schools or so forth in the area.

“If you look at the true reality of what’s going on in Pasco County under these areas, almost everything is built out, except for around Zephyrhills and Pilot country,” she added.

Moody said he wants to ensure that decisions regarding requests for development near airports are not arbitrary and capricious.

“My clients call to the county. They say, ‘I want to do this.’ Then someone at the county says, ‘Oh, no, no, no, you can’t do this, because in this ordinance it says, this.

“Well then, what we find out is that they got kind of half of the information,” Moody said.

Mitigation is possible
“The process is intended to be a dialogue. ‘We identified a potential hazard here. How can we engineer a way (to solve the problem)?’,” Blair said.

“There’s not a whole lot of bright, fast rules. But there’s ways to acknowledge that there might be a harm that should be addressed,” she said.

Blair added: “Prior to the pre-application meeting, the airport operator is to be contacted with a proposal for what they’re doing. The airport operators have a lot more expertise as to what type of things would affect safe airport operations and safe air navigation.

“They’re making comments to staff, which staff would consider.”

An airplane descends toward the runway at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. New protections are on the way for Pasco County’s airports.

“This is the opportunity, much like an alternative standard, where if there is a harm that’s identified — that’s legitimately a problem under FAA standards, then you can engineer away the problem.

“A perfect example of that is what’s happening across the street from Tampa North Aero. There was a discussion there … In that situation, we actually met with the future applicants of property in the runway protection zone at that airport.

“They had initially gone to the airport … and said, ‘Hey, we’re thinking about putting some self-storage in here, what do you think?

“The owner of the airport said he was OK with that.

“Then they came to the county and said, ‘We think we want to do professional office, instead.’”

“Well, it’s probably not a good idea to have people in buildings 40 hours a week near the airport,” Blair said.

Once the airport operator learned of the proposed change, the operator told the county that it wouldn’t be a good idea to have an office in a runway protection zone, the attorney said.

The applicant responded to the county’s concerns by removing the buildings from that area and using that area instead for a parking lot, street and dry detention area, Blair said.

Hernandez also noted applicants need to go to the FAA and get a declaration that their plans do not pose a hazard to air navigation. Plus, she said: “There is opportunity for mitigation.”

Zephyrhills has a set of rules, too
Blair noted: “With the Zephyrhills Airport, we do have an interlocal agreement with the city that is going to be updated as part of this process. There are some things in their actual regulations that are incredibly out of date.

“They are very happy with the ordinance. So, we’d like to incorporate some of this into how they operate.

“We’ve also pointed out in this ordinance, here, about the two different jurisdictional issues going on here, so that folks coming to the county realize that they do need to go to Zephyrhills, as well. Zephyrhills have their own rules that apply.

“Zephyrhills has some really great plans for expansion. They’ve received state funding. They’ve updated their master plan. They’re building a new hangar.

“We’ve actually invested money there, through (Pasco) EDC (Economic Development Council) in projects there, so, a lot could potentially happen out there,” Blair said.

The airport overlay district ordinance is scheduled for first reading by the county board on July 11, with an adoption hearing set for Aug. 8.

Published July 12, 2023

Pasco seeks to work around state restriction on design efforts

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The Pasco County Commission has been talking for months about creating design standards to ensure that residential development on small lots takes aesthetics into account.

The board has identified architectural options to reduce the monotony often found in “cookie-cutter” subdivisions and it desires increased landscaping to enhance the attractiveness of neighborhoods.

But the board’s intentions could be thwarted by the Legislature’s adoption of Senate Bill 1604. That bill, widely referred to as the ‘Reedy Creek Bill,’  stripped Walt Disney World of its special status. But it also eliminated local governments’ ability to mandate building design requirements for residential developments, planned unit developments and master-planned unit developments (MPUDs).

Pasco board members expressed frustration about the SB 1604’s restrictions.

The Pasco County Commission prefers residential developments to have trees, to help enhance the beauty of neighborhoods. They have other ideas, too, on how to create attractive places for residents. Under a new state law, the board cannot dictate aesthetic requirements, but developers remain free to self-impose standards as part of a negotiation to have their zoning requests approved. (Mike Camunas)

Commissioner Seth Weightman noted: “I think our board has looked at quality and value of our building products, kicking off (in) 2023 with our new board.”

The board’s discussions have involved adding requirements for housing developments that include lots with widths of 40-feet and 50-feet, to avoid a plain-label look with too much pavement and too few trees.

The board also has been working with the development community and the Tampa Bay Builders Association to identify how to maintain a quality look and feel in construction of new residential projects.

“I don’t think that we just want to bluntly have to say ‘No,’ or vote ‘No,’ on certain products. “We want to be able to massage it and get what’s best for that area,” Weightman said.

The county wants to ensure that the housing products it approves look good, which also is in the best interest of the homeowner, the county board member said.

The issue came up for discussion during the board’s June 20 meeting, during an update on actions taken during the last session of the Florida Legislature.

Shawn Foster, of Sunrise Consulting, lobbied for the county during the session, as did Ralph Lair, the county’s intergovernmental affairs officer.

Foster said an effort was made to get the bill amended, at the county board’s request.

“We were told adamantly, ‘No. It is not happening. We’re not changing it.’ They were very adamant,” Foster said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said if the board can’t require the developers to enhance their projects, the county has another option.

“We don’t have to have 40- or 50-foot (wide) lots. If they don’t build something nice for our county, we don’t have to have that,” Oakley said.

But Weightman maintained: “We want to have the discretion to approve the appropriate product, building product, in the appropriate space.

“Regardless of how large or small, the lot size or the house is, we want a good quality home for our residents to live In and be proud of what’s here, and I hope the builder is proud of what they’ve built here,” Weightman said.

“We’re being forced to potentially make a hard-line decision, where we wouldn’t maybe necessarily have to do that,” the county board member said.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, reminded the county board: “This bill does not prevent a developer from imposing their own private architectural requirements.

“So what’s happened since this bill took effect, I’ve seen at least three or four projects that were 40- and 50-foot lots. They’re putting new language in their MPUDs that the developer, on their own, will impose these restrictions on themselves.”

Oakley said he has seen some improvements in some developments with 40- and 50-foot lots.

“We have a lot of guys stepping to the table, to do better landscaping, better architecture, and they’re willing to do that.

“The ones who aren’t willing to do that don’t have to build here. They can build somewhere else,” Oakley said.

The county plans to take a more proactive stance before the next legislative session, which will be early because of the 2024 elections.

Committee meetings start the week of Sept. 18 and will be held during October, November and December before the first day of the session begins on Jan. 9, Lair said.

Lair said the county wants to change its posture before the session begins.

“We hate always playing defense, up in Tallahassee, when they won’t consider amendments during the process. They only give you a couple of minutes to discuss your point.

“Why not meet with them before they start their committee meetings.

“Some of our surrounding counties do this. They have a workshop,” he said, similar to the workshops the county does with its municipalities.

“My proposal is that we do a workshop with the state and the federal delegation. Bring them in for about two hours,” Lair said.

He suggested having the workshop a week before the legislators have their first committee meetings.

The board agreed to the approach, so Lair will be seeking to set that up.

Published July 12, 2023

North Tampa Bay Chamber vying for title of nation’s best

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The North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) is once again competing for top honors among chambers across the nation.

It is among three finalists in its category, competing for the title of 2023 Chamber of the Year Award. There are four categories in the competition, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), which is based in Alexandria, Virginia.

To ensure the fairest competition, applicants are grouped into categories based on annual revenue, membership, area population and other factors.

The ACCE has members affiliated with more than 1,600 chambers of commerce, and related business and economic development organizations. In total, it represents more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber came out against a temporary moratorium in a portion of Pasco County relating to the development of multifamily housing. Hope Kennedy, the chamber’s president and CEO, said the word ‘moratorium’ sends a bad message to the entire development community, undermining efforts to provide needed housing. (Mike Camunas)

In announcing its selection as a finalist, the NTBC sent this message to its members: “The award, sponsored by Personify, is the most prestigious and competitive recognition presented annually by ACCE. It recognizes the leadership role chambers of commerce have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, economic prosperity, and quality of life.”

In its announcement, the NTBC also included a statement from Sheree Anne Kelly, the ACCE’s president and CEO.

“This year’s finalists truly represent excellence in the chamber industry. Through their roles as community partners, thought leaders and innovative problem solvers, each has demonstrated what it means to be a catalyst for growth and regional prosperity,” Kelly’s statement says.

Hope Kennedy, president and CEO of the NTBC, said being selected as a finalist “is an absolute honor.

“It is a true testament to the work that we’ve all done over the last year. More importantly, being back-to-back (as a finalist) is such a great opportunity to showcase our chamber on the national stage,” she said.

Justin Keeney, the chamber board’s current chairman, noted the NTBC was the only chamber in the group of finalists vying for the top honor for the second year in a row.

“We’re super excited. We’re happy to represent the region.

“To Hope’s credit, a lot of work is behind that nomination in getting to this part of the process,” Keeney said.

Kennedy believes the chamber was singled out because of its programs.

“ACCE did a Horizons Report several years ago on chambers and how to get your chamber to the next level. We’ve always used that as kind of our navigational beacon,” she said.

In answering questions in the contest application, the chamber tied its responses directly to different aspects to that Horizons Report, Kennedy said.

Two programs highlighted in the chamber’s application covered the issues of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) and the need for affordable housing.

“Those two topics were very timely,” Kennedy said.

“The ERTC was little-known, probably even in the chamber industry,” she said.

The chamber put together a web page and video regarding the tax credit, to help its members understand who qualified and how to seek the credit.

Some chamber members said they had not applied because they didn’t qualify, but Keeney said the rules had changed and some applicants who previously had not qualified became eligible.

The chamber did a follow-up survey and was able to quantify that its members received $3.2 million through the tax credit, Keeney said, adding, “that’s just what we know.”

“It’s meaningful money for our small businesses,” he added.

In the arena of affordable housing, the chamber played an active role in advocating against a temporary moratorium imposed on new multifamily development in a portion of Pasco County.

Kennedy said the chamber sought “to educate the (Pasco County) commission, to educate our members, to educate our community on the fact that developers don’t come into an oversaturated market.”

The chamber’s position was that “the politics of multifamily housing should be put to the side — that we need to focus on attainable housing for the future,” the chamber president said.

Keeney noted affordable housing is needed to provide a place for front-line personnel to live in Pasco.

“Everybody likes to have police and firefighters and EMTs (emergency medical technicians) in our backyards, but if those folks can’t afford to live there, that’s a big problem.

“They can’t afford the rent. They can’t afford single-family homes.

“It became a real issue,” he said.

Kennedy said when the word “moratorium” is associated with a community, it has a trickle-down effect and is harmful to all developers. She said efforts must continue to address the shortage of housing needed for Pasco’s workforce.

When it announced its selection as a finalist, the NTBC also explained the award competition’s process. Chambers must qualify by meeting minimum thresholds in at least three of five key performance areas in ACCE’s Annual Chamber Operations Survey, including net revenue and assets, membership account retention and membership dollar retention, the chamber’s posting said.

They also must complete an extensive application. Applications are scored by peer chamber executives to determine the finalists. Winners are selected from among finalists based on an interview before a panel of experienced chamber professionals. 

Kennedy will be joined in that July 31 interview by Javan Grant, the NTBC’s board chairman last year.

Other Florida organizations making it to the final round in their division are The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and the Orlando Economic Partnership.

The winner in each division will be announced on Aug. 1, during the Awards Show at ACCE’s Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Published July 12, 2023

County board approves new sprinkler system, concert series and other items

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The Pasco County Commission has awarded a contract to Sprinkler Solutions of Florida to replace the irrigation system at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, off Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The contract amount is in an amount not-to-exceed (NTE) $942,643, according to backup materials in the board’s agenda packet. The project is among the list of Go Bonds Capital Projects, which is being supported by a voter-approved general obligation bond to support projects for the county’s Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources department.

In another action, the county board approved spending $2,400 for a concert series to be launched at the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, in the Starkey Ranch subdivision, off State Road 54.

Pasco County Commission has awarded a contract to Sprinkler Solutions of Florida to replace the irrigation system at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.
(Mike Camunas)

An introductory concert was held May 20 and it will be followed by a six-part series, running from September 2023 to February 2024. The county board approved funding in the amount of $300 in its fiscal 2023 budget and will include $2,100 in funding in its 2024 budget.

In other action, during its June 20 meeting, the county board:

• Approved $1,660,000 for temporary labor services in contracts it has with Personnel Solutions Plus LLC; Ad-Vance Personnel Services Inc., d/b/a Ad-Vance Talent Solutions; and Mainzer Management Inc., d/b/a Techstaff.

The board approved the award of a bid for temporary labor services to these companies to provide job candidate sourcing, recruiting, screening, and placement services for various job types, as necessary, based on fluctuating or unique workloads.

On Aug. 24, the board approved funding for temporary services with Personnel, Ad-Vance, and Mainzer, in the annual not-to-exceed (NTE)  amount of $197,833 in fiscal year 2022; $579,800 in fiscal year 2023; $622,800 in fiscal year 2024; and $670,100 for fiscal year 2025; $722,110 in fiscal year 2026; and $517,105 for fiscal year 2027, for a cumulative NTE amount of

$3,309,748 for the five-year contract.

Additional funding is needed, according to agenda materials, to assist the Public Infrastructure Branch because of  higher-than-expected workloads and vacancies.

These services will be used by multiple departments within the Public Infrastructure Branch, including utilities customer information and services; utilities engineering and contract management; public infrastructure fiscal and business administration; solid waste and resource recovery; and, utilities operations and maintenance.

The new cumulative amount for the five-year contract is $4,969,748.

• Approved the purchase of model number T7 tasers, various accessories, virtual reality training equipment, additional equipment if necessary, and a 60-month duty cartridge replacement program, in a not-to-exceed amount of $735,000. This purchase is being made using a Sourcewell Contract, with Axon Enterprise, Inc.

The Corrections Department currently has 144 tasers issued to the county’s correctional officers. The tasers are nearing the end of their life cycle. The purchase will replace current tasers and allow the Corrections Department to transition to a new platform, supported by Axon, prior to the completion of the jail’s expansion, when additional staff and equipment will be needed.

Published July 12, 2023

Florida’s $117 billion budget is $5 billion more than last year

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Florida’s budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year of $117 billion is about $5 billion more than last year and roughly 27% percent larger than the state’s spending plan just three years ago.

Those were among the facts that Ralph Lair, intergovernmental affairs officer for Pasco County, and Shawn Foster, the county’s lobbyist from Sunrise Consulting, reported during the Pasco County Commission’s June 20 meeting.

The two men provided an overview of highlights from this year’s legislative session.

Lair told the board the budget includes about $46.5 billion in general revenue funding and more than $70 billion in trust fund spending, which is mostly earmarked for specific needs.

“The Legislature was able to set aside more than $11 billion that will be held back for future needs for the state,” Lair said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the budget on June 15 and it took effect on July 1.

Foster told the county board: “You know, every session we go up there, we’re like: ‘This is the toughest year we’ve ever seen on local governments. It can’t be as bad as last year.’”

Foster told the board that of the state’s budget, about $41 billion is pass-through money from the federal government.

“We have had extra pass-through federal dollars since COVID. Those will stop in the next years,” he said.

Meanwhile, the extra funds have “very much helped our reserves.

“In 2019, we only had $4 billion in reserves. We only had enough to last less than 14 days.

“Today, because of the reserves the governor and the Legislature have done, we’ve moved into $33 billion. We’re higher than other states have around the nation, and we’re in a very good position.”

Now, the state has enough in reserves to operate for roughly 36 days, Foster said.

“For us to put away the dollars we have the past two years has been phenomenal. We’ve been very, very responsible,” Foster said.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said that’s impressive, “especially on the heels of a hurricane that we had.”

During the session, 1,873 bills were filed and 356 bills passed, Lair said

“We had a really, really smooth session. The two houses got along really well. They were able to compromise and both come out, as they felt, as winners,” Foster said.

“I think the governor, as you saw, pretty much got all that he wanted,” Foster added.

The budget includes $2.7 billion in tax relief and $4 billion for moving forward initiatives that will accelerate the completion of 20 transportation projects around the state.

Published July 12, 2023

Elected leaders say new ‘Live Local’ bill stymies Pasco’s efforts to create jobs

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The idea behind the “Live Local” bill adopted by the Florida Legislature is to ramp up the inventory of affordable housing across the state, so workers can afford to live where they work.

In Pasco County’s case, however, the effects of the bill could make it even harder for the county to escape the  bedroom-community role it has played for decades.

Part of the Live Local bill makes it impossible for local governments to block the conversion of existing commercial and industrial sites to be developed for multifamily use, if the project meets requirements regarding the provision of affordable housing units for a specified period. The law also provides a tax break for such projects.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano wants to make sure that Pasco doesn’t lose ground in the momentum it has been building in attracting new commercial and industrial jobs to Pasco County. (File)

The Pasco County Commission made it clear at its June 20 meeting that efforts must be made to either exempt the county from the new law, or provide some other kind of change that would prevent Pasco from falling into an even larger housing/jobs imbalance.

Pasco has been making strides in recent years to protect its industrial and commercial lands and to put those sites into a posture where they are ready for companies that provide high-wage jobs.

The county also has taken steps to avoid the conversion of commercial and industrial land into residential use because of the county board’s desire to provide jobs closer to home for its residents.

As it stands now, about seven out of 10 of Pasco’s workers commute to another county for their job.

The board has been trying to change that, through its protection of commercial and industrial sites.

Board members had plenty to say about the Live Local law, during their June 20 session.

Shawn Foster, the county’s lobbyist from Sunrise Consulting, said he’s already discussed the pre-emption portion of Senate Bill 102 with State Sen. Ed Hooper, who said he would like to meet with the county about its concerns about the potential implications it has on the county’s economic development projects.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman said, “We know we’re housing-rich and jobs-poor.”

David Goldstein, the county’s chief assistant county attorney, said “I think when Senate Bill 102 was originally proposed, it was sort of done as a one-size-fits-all, but I’m not sure it really is appropriate for certain counties.

He said it doesn’t make sense to him to apply Senate Bill 102 to counties that have a poor ratio of jobs to housing.

Weightman said he’s aware of three projects that already have set their sights on converting general commercial parcels into multifamily developments, under provisions of the Live Local bill.

They represent a total of 786 units.

“They’re not blighted areas. They’re not areas of redevelopment. They’re prime time areas,” Weightman said.

He’s concerned that the county has no control over this type of development, making it much more difficult for the county to plan to handle the developments’ traffic and other impacts.

“How we are going to go about managing these things and how we go about budgeting, especially since they’re tax-exempt.” Weightman said.

Alexander Alt, intergovernmental affairs officer for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, said residential development has a greater impact on public services than other types of development.

“Whenever you get a piece of land that was zoned agriculture or commercial use and basically becomes multifamily or some large housing development, you see a continued strain on government services, whether that be the sheriff’s office, fire/rescue or just all government services, in general,” he said.

Weightman added: “There’s a lot of challenges. I don’t think our Legislature meant any ill intent. There’s a lot of good portions of this bill.

“Counties like ours, and other rural and growing counties, we really need to stand together and lock-arms, to protect our job-creating sites. It’s not something I’m willing to back off on.”

“I don’t want to see those sites disappear because they’re not a dime-a-dozen.”

“I think time is of the essence,” he said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano agreed: “With all of these apartments coming in, without the jobs to go with it, it just kills us.”

Lobbyist Foster encouraged the board to work with their colleagues from other counties to make this a priority issue for the Florida Association of Counties.

“I’m not talking No. 20. I’m talking right up there, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3. This needs to be a major priority,” he said.

Published July 04, 2023

State budget includes $1.5 million for sidewalks near Pasco schools

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The Florida Legislature approved $1.5 million — which was preserved in the state budget — to pay for sidewalks near some Pasco County schools where parents complained about unsafe walking conditions.

The lack of sidewalks in numerous communities became more apparent last year, after Pasco County School Board dropped courtesy busing for students in grades six through 12, who live within 2 miles from school.

State budget includes $1.5 million for sidewalks near Pasco schools (Mike Camunas)

The district’s action prompted an outcry from parents, who told district administrators and the board that they are concerned about their children’s safety because they have to walk in areas without sidewalks or street lights.

They also described conditions they believe are dangerous for their children and said they can’t give their kids a ride to and from school because they have to be at work.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman took on the issue and worked with the school district’s staff to seek funding from the legislature.

State Rep. Kevin Steele and State Sen. Danny Burgess sought $2 million in funding — and received approval of $1.5 million to provide sidewalks that will benefit students and residents living near Pine View Middle, Pine View Elementary and Denham Oaks Elementary.

During the Pasco County Commision’s June 20 meeting, Weightman expressed gratitude to the state lawmakers and the school district for helping to secure the funding.

“This is a great win for our school kids,” Weightman said.

He noted that when he was on the campaign trail, that he, along with Commissioner Gary Bradford heard the message loud and clear about sidewalks being needed.

Weightman noted that “courtesy busing is probably not coming back any time soon,” and bus drivers remain in short supply.

The county board member urged Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa to get the sidewalks built as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Weightman is delighted that the appropriations request he made, as a freshman county board member, received funding. He thanked the county’s lobbyists and every member of the Pasco legislative delegation for helping to make it happen.

“It’s exciting. It’s exciting for me. It’s exciting for our school kids and our community,” Weightman said.

Published July 04, 2023

Pasco board approves county-initiated plan for Odessa Town Centre

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The Pasco County Commission has adopted a land use change, setting the stage for Odessa Town Centre — a development area that is expected to include light industrial, business park, mixed-use office, retail and high-density residential uses.

The county took the lead of this planning effort because of concerns about the potential for piecemeal development on about 81.5 acres at the southwest corner of Gunn Highway and State Road 54.

The approved plan is the result of about two years of work, including community meetings and efforts of county planners and an outside consultant. The idea was to create a cohesive approach to future development — while allowing existing  property owners to keep their current rights. Existing property owners that wish to redevelop in the future will need to abide by conditions adopted for the Odessa Town Centre planned development.

The southwest corner of State Road 54 and Gunn Highway, is expected to become the future home of Odessa Town Centre, as a result of Pasco County initiated land-use change. (Mike Camunas)

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey led the effort for the county-initiated land use change.

“This will be very good for the community, and the county and residents,” Starkey said. 

Without a big-picture plan, she feared the development of individual properties at the site would lack cohesion.

During a previous county board meeting, Starkey also noted mounting development pressures in the area: “They (potential developers) are circling, circling around.”

Herbert Heap, a resident with property in the affected area, confirmed developers’ intensifying interest in the area.

“I’ve had quite a few people contact me … You won’t believe, I betcha I’ve got about 100 letters, phone calls, people contacting me. Matter of fact, I’ve had to block some of them,” said Heap, who owns land on Old Gunn Highway and Blissfield Road.

“I just want to know, are you going to run me out of there, or what,” he asked during the county board’s June 20 meeting.

At the same session, Starkey told her colleagues: “What we did, in doing this, was to increase their property values. But not everybody understands how development works. It’s complicated, especially in this kind of plan.”

She suggested to Heap: “Why don’t you come to my office and we’ll help you.”

Heap said he just wants someone who will speak with him honestly.

“We’ve got that big tower up on the corner, we’ve got a lot of vultures on it. Well, we’ve got vultures circling my property, circling me,” he said.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman asked what assurance the county would have with the land being designated for commercial or industrial uses instead of being developed as multifamily, as is permitted under the recently passed state Senate Bill 102.

Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein said that law applies to a site’s zoning, not land-use designation, an issue that won’t come up until the zoning phase.

Goldstein added: “All of these have to go through me. I don’t let staff rezone to commercial/industrial, without addressing this issue.”

The county board voted 5-0 to approve the Odessa Town Centre land-use change.

In a related action, the board approved a rezoning request from a Miami-based mixed-used developer to create a project on about 20 acres on the western portion of the Odessa Town Centre area. County board members approved a request to rezone the land from general commercial and agricultural residential to a master-planned unit development.

The site is approximately 2,083 feet west of the southwest corner of the intersection of Gunn Highway and State Road 54. The new development is expected to have 12,000 square feet of commercial/office space and 320 multi-family units.

The office and retail will be the ground floor of a multi-story building, with apartments above it.

In addition to the vertical mixed-use buildings along the State Road 54 frontage, the master-planned development will include interconnected streets, trails and sidewalks to create a network for pedestrian/bicycle activity within the larger Odessa Town Center area.

Published July 04, 2023