The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Going batty for bats — in a good way

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Bats.

They’re those winged creatures that fly into people’s hair, right?

They bite people, too, right?

And, of course, they wreak all kinds of havoc, right?

Wrong, wrong and wrong, says Tracy Weaver, a master gardener volunteer with the Pasco County Cooperative Extension, which is part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).

Tracy Weaver, a master gardener volunteer with the Pasco County Cooperative Extension, shared her knowledge about bats, which she says, are often misunderstood. (B.C. Manion)

Weaver shared her knowledge of, and her downright affection for, bats, during a talk she gave at the Starkey Ranch Theatre, Library and Cultural Center, at 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, in the Starkey Ranch community in Odessa.

She shared some myths and misconceptions about bats, which, she said, is why bats are sometimes feared.

“They are misunderstood because of us. We have so little knowledge of them.

“You all grew up, ‘Oh, they’re terrible, they’re going to get in my hair. They’re going to bite me.’

“And then, all of those vampire movies we used to watch. Oh, my gosh, did they do an injustice to the bats. It just drives me crazy,” Weaver told the audience.

In truth, Weaver said, “there are only three species of vampire bats and they only live in Central and South America.”

Bats are nocturnal and often live in eerie places, such as in caves, or under bridges, in the eaves of houses, or in attics.

“That’s kind of spooky and scary to people: ‘I don’t want that bat in my house. I’m going to get rabies. It’s going to bite me. It’s going to spit up blood,’” she said.

While it is possible to get rabies from bats, that rarely happens, Weaver added.

“Less than ½ of 1% (of bats) get rabies, and if they do, they crash and die, within days,” she said.

Weaver gave her talk at the Starkey Ranch library because she wants to help people gain a greater understanding about bats.

She hopes increased knowledge will create a greater appreciation of the benefits bats provide and will lead to more activities aimed at attracting and protecting the winged creatures.

Besides touting the advantages of having bats nearby, she discussed how to make bat houses, how to create good conditions for attracting bats and steps that can be taken to reduce the threat of predators.

She also pointed out resources that can provide more information to help those interested in attracting bats to their properties, or who simply want to satisfy their curiosity about them.

Weaver’s enthusiasm for bats is obvious.

While some might freak out when they see a bat dart by, Weaver has a different reaction.

Her response?

“That was a bat, cool,” Weaver said. “They’re flying mammals. They’re just so cool, it’s amazing.”

Do you want to attract bats?
If you want to attract bats, don’t cut your palm fronds.

“They love those palm fronds,” said Weaver, a former agriculture teacher.

There are 13 species of bats that live year-round in Florida. This is an image of a Southeastern Myotis bat that primarily feeds on mosquitoes, but also eats crane flies, moths and small beetles. (Courtesy of University of Florida)

Building a bat house is another way to encourage bats to live on your property.

The bat house should be at least 24 inches tall and 16 inches wide. It needs a landing pad that’s 3 inches to 6 inches wide. There should be vents in the boxes, and at least four chambers.

The boxes can be built from exterior plywood, or cedar, she added. But pressure-treated wood should be avoided because of the chemicals it contains.

In Florida, light colors are good because that reflects, rather than absorbs, heat.

The bat box should be at least 10 feet above ground, but ideally between 15 feet to 25 feet, she said. Flag poles can make good poles for bat boxes, she said.

It’s best to mount the bat houses at least 25 feet away from trees and in an area with easy access to water.

Bats come in, in the mornings, sleep all day and leave their roost at night, she said.

Bat houses need to be in open spaces.

“If you put it near trees, they’re going to have a hard time swooping in,” she said.

The boxes also need to be far enough away from trees to prevent predators from climbing up to get to them.

Predators of bats include owls, hawks, snakes and raccoons.

More than 1,400 species of bats have been counted in the world, including 48 in the United States, Weaver said. Of those, 13 live in Florida year-round, and about 65 come and go, Weaver said.

Many people are not aware of the critical role that bats play, in eating mosquitoes and all kinds of agricultural pests, Weaver said.

They are an asset for both the ecosystem and the economy, Weaver said, noting in the United States alone they have saved billions of dollars by protecting agricultural crops.

Myths and facts about bats

Myths:

  • Bats are flying mice: No, they’re not.
  • Bats are blind: No, they can see as well as humans.
  • They get tangled in people’s hair: That’s more likely to happen in a horror movie.

Facts:

  • If bats get close to people it’s because bats eat insects, and like humans, insects exhale carbon dioxide.
  • Bats can have lengthy lives, some exceeding 40 years — and typically live between 20 and 30 years.
  • Bats live everywhere, except in extremely cold or extremely hot places.
  • In Florida, the longevity of bats in Florida is typically between 10 to 12 years.
  • There’s an abundance of bats in South America and Central America. Those are the fruit-eating and nectar bats.
  • Distinguishing features of bats include its ears, color, size and whether or not it has a tail.
  • 1,421 species of bats have been counted in the world. There are 48 species in the United States, and of those, 13 live in Florida year-round.

Want to know more about bats? Check out this website, www.BatCon.org, or visit FloridaMuseum.ufl.edu/bats/.

Source: Tracy Weaver, master gardener volunteer with Pasco County Cooperative Extension

How to help bats

  • Raise public awareness about the benefits they provide
  • Discourage the inhumane removal of bats from buildings
  • Provide forage for them: Give them a place to be
  • Keep your cats indoors at dawn and dusk

Source: Tracy Weaver, master gardener volunteer with Pasco County Cooperative Extension

Published October 26, 2022

Voters to decide fate of Penny for Pasco

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Pasco County voters casting a ballot in the Nov. 8 General Election will decide the fate of a proposed 1-cent sales tax to pay for local projects.

Proceeds from the tax would be divided between Pasco County, Pasco County Schools and the county’s six municipalities.

The county and school district each would receive 45% . The municipalities would split the remaining 10%.

Zephyrhills High underwent a two-year, $33-million renovation, which included redesigning the common area to make it more spacious and to provide a prominent location for the school’s massive trophy case. (File)

This is the third time Pasco residents have been asked to support the Penny for Pasco local government surtax.

Voters initially approved the tax in 2004, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2005 and lasted through Dec. 31, 2014. Voters renewed the tax for 10 more years, from Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2024.

This time, voters are being asked to extend the tax for 15 years.

If approved, it would be in effect from Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2039.

The Pasco County School Board has identified a list of projects the tax extension would support.

The school board’s list includes new schools, school expansions, school renovations, additional technology, school safety enhancements, athletic facility improvements, improvements in the driver pickup areas at schools, and other projects.

Pasco County also identified how it will divide the revenues among categories of spending. The county would allocate its portion this way: 40% for transportation, 20% for economic development, 20% for public safety; and, 20% for environmental lands and parks infrastructure.

Spending a portion of the proceeds for parks equipment is new, but county officials said the idea is to enable equipping the parks more quickly for the public’s enjoyment.

Economic development funds would be spent on attracting new companies to boost job opportunities, expanding opportunities for existing companies, stimulating redevelopment of blighted areas and helping in workforce development, among other things.

The funds will also support business incubators and provide small business assistance to locally owned companies.

In general, the economic development funds are intended to help businesses of all sizes to be successful, to generate more high-paying jobs in the county and to broaden Pasco’s tax base.

A portion of the county’s proceeds also will be used to acquire environmentally sensitive lands. Officials estimate 3,000 acres to 3,700 acres could be acquired with future Penny for Pasco revenue.

The funds also will support infrastructure projects at Baillies Bluff Wilderness Park and at the Len Angeline Wilderness and Recreation Park.

The county’s allocation also includes 20% for public safety.

Woodland Elementary School’s cafeteria is now quite spacious, allowing more children to eat at the same time and allowing the school to reduce the serving time needed for lunch. The cafeteria also has a stage, and the room is big enough for school events. Those improvements were done using proceeds from the Penny for Pasco surtax. (File)

Fire Rescue would receive boats, life-saving emergency response equipment, in-vehicle computers, facility upgrades and new vehicles, including utility terrain vehicles.

The sheriff’s office would receive new vehicles and in-vehicle computers and equipment.

Transportation and engineering services would receive 40% of the county’s share of the proceeds.

Tax proceeds also will go to a wide array of projects in specific areas around the county, including sidewalks, multi-use paths, bicycle lanes, intersection improvements and roundabouts.

The school district has identified a number of new schools supported by the 15-year extension of the tax. The district also uses state funds and impact fees to help pay for new school construction.

One school that would be supported through Penny for Pasco funds would be built near the Bexley development, off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes.

A K-8 school would be built in the State Road 52 corridor, in an area known as the Central Pasco Employment Village, also in Land O’ Lakes.

Another K-8 would be built on the State Road 54 corridor, in the Ballantrae area.

Plus, in the Villages of Pasadena Hills — between Wesley Chapel and Dade City — the school district is expected to be building a K-8, or whatever is needed there.

But those are just some of the projects that would be built with Penny proceeds.

The school district also would use the tax revenues to add computers in schools, upgrade the district’s computer network, fortify the safety on its campuses, upgrade athletic facilities and improve safety at driver pickup locations at schools, among other things.

For more information about projects that have been completed using Penny for Pasco proceeds, as well as proposed projects, visit Pasco County Schools’ website at Pasco.k12.fl.us, and click on the Penny for Pasco tab. That also includes a link to Pasco County’s website, which also has information about the proposed tax.

Hillsborough 1-cent surtax for transportation
In Hillsborough County, meanwhile, a proposed 1-cent surtax to support transportation projects has been nullified by a circuit court judge, but remains on the ballot because of an appeal filed by the Hillsborough County Commission.

That tax would last 30 years and would pay for transportation improvements throughout the county, including unincorporated areas and Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood and Town ’N Country.

Projects, according to the ballot language, would include build and widen roads, fix roads and bridges, expand transit options, fix potholes, enhance bus services, improve intersections, and make walking and biking safer.

If approved, the funds would be deposited in an audited trust fund, which would have citizen oversight, according to the ballot language.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office issued a news release on Oct. 19, reporting: “The Circuit Court issued a judgment yesterday removing the Hillsborough County surtax referendum from the 2022 General Election ballot. Because the County then filed a Notice of Appeal of the judgment, the judgment is stayed pending review or until further notice from the Courts. Votes for and against this measure continue to be tabulated. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office will continue to follow any and all orders of the Circuit and Appellate Courts.”

Published October 26, 2022

JoAnne Glenn will lead Angeline Academy of Innovation

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Pasco County Schools has named JoAnne Glenn to be the first principal at Angeline Academy of Innovation, a new 6-12 magnet school being built in an emerging community in Central Pasco.

Glenn, principal of Pasco eSchool and Angeline Academy of Innovation, has won both district and national honors for her work.

Glenn was named Pasco County Schools’ Principal of the Year in 2019 and was named the 2020 Digital Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

JoAnne Glenn has been named the inaugural principal of Angeline Academy of Innovation, a 6-12 magnet school set to open in Pasco County in August 2023. (Courtesy of JoAnne Glenn)

The new 6-12 school will be near Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco County campus, which is in the heart of Angeline, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52.

The $52.7-million magnet school is expected to have strong partnerships with both Moffitt and with Pasco-Hernando State College.

In an email to The Laker/Lutz News, she explained her interest in the new position and expressed enthusiasm for what the new school will offer students.

As a mathematics teacher “and self-admitted nerd,” Glenn said, “I love helping students become confident in exploring and strengthening their understanding of these topics.”

She believes that “children are born to be scientists, and they learn through exploration and experience.”

She also noted that she’s worked for the last 14 years to build the district’s virtual school and to challenge the status quo of more traditional education models.

“Having the opportunity to build a school that incorporates hybrid experiences and strong partnerships with families and our community brings all of my favorite aspects of education into one school,” Glenn said.

She’s excited about the potential offered by Angeline Academy of Innovation, which is set to open in August 2023.

“Angeline Academy of Innovation is on a mission to challenge the ways we use time and space to offer students more agency and control over their path and pace for chasing their dreams,” Glenn said.

“Because Pasco eSchool will also be housed at Angeline Academy of Innovation, students will have a continuum of learning experiences and can move between on-campus, job-embedded, and online learning experiences supported by a cadre of educators and professionals with high levels of expertise,” Glenn said.

She’s also enthused about new opportunities that will be presented to students.

“I’m excited about some of the early commitments to establish strong partnerships with local businesses, a successful local charter school, and postsecondary institutions. Our students will learn alongside engineers, IT professionals, scientists, medical professionals, and more. With access to world-class facilities, and a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, Angeline Academy of Innovation will allow students an environment that is designed to launch secondary students into relevant career fields, equipped with certifications and expertise,” she said.

As an example, the school will offer engineering, cybersecurity, biodesign, and an entrepreneurship incubator, Glenn said.

As Glenn moves into her new post, the school district is searching for a new principal to lead Pasco eSchool.

Published October 26, 2022

Pasco board honors Porter family’s approach to growth

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If you’ve ever made a purchase at The Shops at Wiregrass, taken a class at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, or attended an event at the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County — you’ve benefited from the way the Porter family chose to manage the development of its land holdings.

Acreage once owned by the Porters is now occupied by a multitude of developments — which make up the building blocks of community life.

The family purchased the land in the 1940s, which would become Wiregrass Ranch — a cattle and citrus operation in Wesley Chapel.

Don Porter was known for his visionary and patient approach to growth. The Porter family has played a key role in laying the groundwork for the building blocks of a community that provides places to learn, to heal, to work and to play. (Courtesy of Porter family)

The family pursued and obtained permission for a Development of Regional Impact, and, over time, it sold portions of its land for projects such as Saddlebrook Resort, The Shops at Wiregrass, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, medical offices, apartments, subdivisions and other developments.

It also donated land for Pasco-Hernando State College and the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County.

The family was honored by the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 20 for its contributions toward improving the quality of life in Pasco County.

In previous interviews with The Laker/Lutz News, J.D. Porter explained the family’s philosophy of growth.

He said the family has been selective about the types of projects it brings into Wiregrass Ranch — making sure the user is a good fit and using care to ensure the pace of development allows ongoing projects to become successful before introducing new ones.

The idea, he added, is to have a mix of large and small users, to avoid relying too much on large users, in case they go away.

The family also has cultivated a mix of uses, such as boutique restaurants, shops, and locally owned businesses — as well as the kind of development needed to address basic needs, such as health care and education.

“We could’ve easily sold out to a bunch of different developers, but none of them represented the legacy that my dad and my grandfather really embraced,” Porter previously told The Laker/Lutz News.

The family has shared a collective vision and a collective will for what has been done so far, and for the foundation that has been laid for the future, he added.

One of the family’s contributions to the community was the donation of 60-plus acres for Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

When the Porter campus opened in January 2014, it represented the first opportunity for Wesley Chapel students to attend college in their own community.

In its resolution of appreciation, the Pasco county board recounted some of the family’s history in Wesley Chapel.

James H. and Martha M. Porter established Wiregrass Ranch in the 1940s, raising their sons, Don, Tom and Bill there, the resolution says.

The name Wiregrass Ranch stems from a postcard sent in 1950 by Ed Madill, one of James Porter’s friends. Madill addressed it to “Wiregrass Porter, Gatorville, Florida, USA” and it reached its intended recipient, the resolution adds.

The resolution also notes Bill Porter, the president of Wiregrass Ranch, and the next generation of Porters — including J.D, Quinn, Colby, Haley, Hatcher, Alexis, Rachel, Lynda and Debbie — is continuing the family’s tradition of commitment to the county.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who sponsored the resolution, said the board wanted to acknowledge the Porter’s contributions, not only to Pasco, but also to the region and state.

The Porter family has played a role in shaping the development of Wesley Chapel. They were honored with a resolution of appreciation by the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 20. (Courtesy of Pasco County/Andy Taylor)

Moore characterized the family as being philanthropists, innovators, community-minded and trailblazers.

Moore expressed gratitude for the Porters’ approach.

“They could have sold this land off years and years and years ago. They could have had more money than God, because of this.

“But they’ve been very methodical, in the way they’ve done things, because they wanted to do things right. They want to continue to do things right.”

“They really have this sense of community,” Moore said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano added: “Your family’s commitment from the get-go was always to do this first class. You took your time, you made sure you had it right, you waited for the right people to come in. And the way that you did it methodically, every step of the way, has been fantastic.

“Pasco is so much better off, because of the Porter family,” Mariano said.

J.D. Porter, who spoke on behalf of the family, told the board he appreciated the kind words.

“We still have a long, long path to go,” he said. “We’ve got a long runway that we’re working with, but on behalf of my entire family, thank you guys for making it an environment that we can succeed in, and for continuing to grow.”

“Working with you all and working with staff has become a lot easier and we look forward to a lot more great years, and we’ve got plenty of good stuff to come.”

Published October 26, 2022

‘Never a more exciting time to be in Pasco,’ appraiser says

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Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells recently shared an informative look at the county’s broadening tax base, during a gathering of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

“I’ve got to be honest. There has never been a more exciting time to live in Pasco County, to be part of Pasco County,” said Wells, who served on the Pasco County Commission before being elected to his current post.

His comments came during a Sept. 20 luncheon, well before Hurricane Ian caused untold damage to communities in southwest Florida and continued its path of destruction across the state and into South Carolina.

Pasco Property Appraiser Mike Wells said Pasco County’s property base has been diversifying in recent years, as the county attracts more employers. (File)

Wells provided a brief recap of how Pasco has been evolving, and how it has become part of the discussion when companies consider moving to the Tampa Bay region.

“The team of commissioners and myself did a great job for six years to help the landscape get where it is today, quite frankly.

“We used to be a bedroom community. That’s all we were. All we did was build houses, quite frankly,” Wells said.

The vast majority of Pasco’s developed parcels remain residential, but companies are increasingly aware of what Pasco has to offer, he said.

Pasco needs a diverse tax base to generate the taxes necessary to provide the services its residents need, Wells said.

In recent years it has been making progress on that front, with an influx of new companies and commercial development, Wells said.

“The companies are coming here. They know we’re open for business. A lot has to do with us working together as a region,” he said.

He thinks much of that is due to a shift in attitude about regional cooperation.

“Eight years ago, we really weren’t a team.

“When I took over commissioner in 2014 — it wasn’t ‘us,’ it wasn’t ‘we,’ — it was ‘I, Pasco County’ against Hillsborough County, against Pinellas County — trying to poach.

“Now, we actually work together as a team —  what a concept, with the EDCs (economic development councils), with the chambers.

“We can all do more together — with Moffitt (Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco campus) — being an example.

“We’re close to the port, we’re close to the airport. Why would somebody not want to come up here to Pasco County? The cost of living is less,” Wells said.

Pasco has 300,000 parcels and a population of roughly 600,000, Wells said.

“Our growth is among the fastest in the state,” he added.

The county’s preliminary just value for 2022 is more than $66 billion, an increase of nearly 17%, he said. New revenue to Pasco County was roughly $90 million.

There are “exciting new projects and there’s plenty in the pipeline for years to come,” he added.

He shared a breakdown on Pasco’s businesses.

The vast majority — 86%  — have 25 or fewer employees, he said.

Nearly two-thirds have been in business for more than 10 years and 43% of Pasco businesses are owned by county residents.

Future prospects look bright, too, he said. About 36% of businesses expect to add employees within the next three years.

Also, slightly more than one-third of Pasco businesses are expanding at locations within the county, or are building on new Pasco sites, he added.

Wells is a big proponent of small businesses and of local businesses, too.

It used to bother him greatly when a Pasco company would lose out to a larger business from outside the area because it had a bigger footprint and could offer to complete the work at lower costs.

The county board addressed that issue by passing a local vendor preference policy to help local companies be more competitive when vying for county business.

As Pasco moves forward, it expects to attract more employers, the property appraiser said.

He pointed to 47-million square feet of planned development in the pipeline, and 78,500 jobs.

“We have enough pre-approved permits for 75 years’ worth of houses, so they’re coming,” Wells said.

Consideration of requests for future development in the county must take into account how the projects will affect the balance Pasco is trying to achieve, Wells said.

“Every decision we make for the next acre of land is important,” Wells said.

Tampa Premium Outlets, the Simon Real Estate-owned outdoor mall located at 2300 Grand Cypress Dr., in Lutz that opened in 2015, ranks No. 2 in Pasco County, in terms of its property value, at about $84.4 million. (Mike Camunas)

Apartment construction bolsters Pasco’s tax base
Wells said he’s aware the topic of multifamily development has been controversial, but he noted: “Multifamily leads the way on new construction value for 2022, as it did last year.”

He’s aware that his former colleague Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore championed a temporary moratorium on such development.

Moore sought the temporary measure to give the county time to gather information to make sure the multifamily market isn’t being overbuilt. He warned his colleagues about the potential negative consequences in the long-term, if that happens.

The multifamily moratorium is now over, but Moore continues to push for job-generating uses, rather than apartments.

Wells said, in general, he’s not in favor of moratoriums.

“I’ve always been a proponent of the market decides — not me,” he said.

The property appraiser also noted Pasco is attracting more health care development.

“We’re seeing exciting growth, as you know in Wesley Chapel, with Orlando Health, BayCare expanding,” he said.

He also expects the county to become more competitive in attracting industrial growth.

Its access to the interstate system and to rail — along U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 — provide an advantage that not all counties enjoy, he said.

He’s particularly enthused by what lies ahead in the development of Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco County campus.

Moffitt’s planned 775-acre campus, larger than the footprint of downtown Tampa, is in the heart of a developing community, which will be known as Angeline, Florida.

The scale of Angeline, which is south of State Road 52, near the Suncoast Parkway, is massive. At build out, it will have tens of thousands of residents, who will live in a community that is focused on providing the latest in technology and having an emphasis on wellness.

Plans call for the ‘city’ of Angeline include high-speed internet connectivity and an extensive trail network that will enable people to get where they want to go, without having to jump into a car.

Plans call for schools, research clinics, health care facilities, a community farm and thousands of residences, ranging from apartments to luxury homes.

Moffitt’s Pasco cancer center is expected to become home to leading-edge cancer researchers.

“This will be a global center of innovation. A huge asset to our region,” Wells said.

Pasco Top 10 properties, by value
HCA Health Services of Florida: $103,156,579
Tampa Premium Outlets: $84,376,243
Lantower Seneca Tampa LLC: $81,445,912
PAC Wiregrass Ranch LLC: $79,178.815
FRMF Odessa LLC: $71,994,778
Odessa Apartments LLC: $71,477,965
Pasco Cypress Creek DST: $62,152,747
Trinity Lakes Apartment: $61,732,459
Lantower Asturia Tampa LP: $60,055,988
Addison at Sunlake LCC: $58,377.067

Top five Pasco County taxpayers
Duke Energy Florida: $513.5 million
WREC Electric: $331.4 million
HCA: $137.2
Frontier: $106.8 million
Pasco Ranch: $102.5 million

Source: Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells

Published October 19, 2022

Pasco County approves apartment project in Seven Oaks

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The Pasco County Commission approved a modification to the master plan for the Seven Oaks community, allowing a project for 320 apartment units and 25,000 square feet of commercial space.

The project is planned for a 10.6-acre site, off Ancient Oaks Boulevard, about 225 feet north of State Road 56. The development site is across from Sam’s Club.

The board’s approval is a reversal of its 3-2 rejection of the request on Jan. 9.

Board members Mike Moore, Jack Mariano and Ron Oakley voted in January to deny the request, while Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Christina Fitzpatrick dissented.

Seven Oaks community in Wesley Chapel soon will be adding 320 apartment units and 25,000 square feet of commercial space after the Pasco County Commission approved the 10.6-acre project off Ancient Oaks Boulevard, about 225 feet north of State Road 56. (Mike Camunas)

That decision was challenged and went to mediation.

Through the mediation proceeding, the application was updated to increase the minimum retail/office commercial entitlement from 20,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet.

The revised application also includes a new site plan, building size and vertical parking.

Other changes include pedestrian safety and traffic-calming features.

The applicant also agreed to work in good faith with Sam’s Club to extend walkway safety improvements onto the retail store’s property, if Sam’s Club will allow that work to be done.

The county board’s approval of the revised master plan resolves the dispute between the county and the applicant over the board’s previous denial. The applicant also has agreed to defend and indemnify the county from any third-party claims arising from the board’s approval.

The board voted 3-2 on Oct. 11 to approve the request.

Oakley said he was satisfied that changes to the plan addressed his concerns, and joined Starkey and Fitzpatrick in supporting the request.

The vote came after extensive debate among board members and strenuous objections by Seven Oaks residents and the Seven Oaks Community Development District’s attorney.

Moore and Mariano said the county must preserve job-generating uses to provide jobs for Pasco residents so they don’t need to commute elsewhere for work.

But Starkey, Fitzpatrick and Oakley said additional housing is needed to meet the county’s increasing demands, particularly as it looks to the future and jobs that are on the way.

Applicant Keith Gelder, of Stock Luxury Apartment Living, wants Seven Oaks to be the location for his first Pasco project.

During testimony at a previous hearing, Gelder told the county board that his company does “high-quality, large amenity, lifestyle-driven projects.”

Plans for the Seven Oaks project include a resort-style pool, multi-story buildings with commercial uses on the first floor, a dog park and other amenities.

Several speakers testified against the request at the Oct. 11 meeting, offering a litany of reasons for why the proposed project is not a good fit at the planned location.

They said they don’t oppose apartments, just the proposed location of this project.

They noted plenty of land is available that’s already zoned for apartment development, even within the Seven Oaks community.

Instead of changing the commercial designation on this site, they said the board should encourage the development of professional buildings that could serve the area’s demand for office space needed by small businesses.

Critics also noted the area already is congested and the planned project will make that worse.

They predict the neighborhood will experience more cut-through traffic, which will reduce the community’s desirability and diminish property values.

Patrick Mullen, one of those opponents, listed a multitude of objections.

In addition to various legal and technical objections, Mullen offered some basic reasons for opposing the proposal.

“This project is still too big for this property,” Mullen said.

“Development is a privilege, not a right,” he added.

And, “Denial should remain undisturbed,” Mullen said.

Opponents also told the board the reasons they rejected the proposal in January remain valid.

Attorney Joel Tew said his client’s proposed project represents the “poster child” for the type of urban infill mixed-use development encouraged by county’s policies.

He reminded board members the request “is not a rezoning for new density or new entitlements.”

The Seven Oaks master plan already includes entitlements for 1,726 multifamily units, so the request doesn’t increase the overall density, Tew said. The approval of the Seven Oaks master plan also took those traffic impacts into account.

Tew characterized the proposed modification as essentially being a map change, within an approved master plan. He also said the requested change is being made under the approved land use equivalency matrix, which requires the impacts to be on a 1:1 basis.

Despite the board’s approval, the issue might be far from over.

After the vote was taken, Moore asked David Goldstein, the chief assistant county attorney, whether the decision could be appealed.

Goldstein said it could be appealed by a third party, and typically an appeal must be filed within 30 days.

The chance of an appeal being resolved in less than a year is slim, the attorney said.

Published October 19, 2022

Pasco board rejects request for towing operation

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It’s not that the Pasco County Commission objects to a towing operator setting up shop in the county, it’s just the proposed location for one on U.S. 41 isn’t the right spot, board members unanimously agreed at the Oct. 11 meeting.

Concerns raised by nearby residents resonated with the board.

Those neighbors raised objections to the likely noise that will result after the towing business opens. They said a 24-hour operation isn’t compatible with the residential neighborhood that’s behind it.

Opponents also said the nature of the business isn’t exactly what they expected, as the county aspires to set a tone for redeveloping the main north-south artery in the heart of Land O’ Lakes.

Several neighbors spoke out against the proposal, including residents of a nearby 54-home subdivision and the owner of a commercial property next door.

One speaker talked about the current hazardous conditions, as motorists try to make U-turns at median cutouts along U.S. 41.

Tow trucks transporting vehicles will add to the hazards by making it harder for motorists to see, while they’re attempting U-turns, and causing greater traffic backups.

In general, opponents said, the proposed operation would not fit in.

The Pasco County Planning Commission and county planners both recommended approval of the request for the towing operation on a 0.62-acre site on the east side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, about a mile north of State Road 54.

Applicant Christopher Brown said his company provides a necessary service.

He said his business is under contract with apartment complexes and homeowner associations to remove cars that are double-parked, parked in fire lanes, or parked on properties without permits.

As Pasco grows, the demand for the towing services increases, Brown said.

Brown, who had a contract to purchase the property if his request was approved, said he understands property rights. He pledged he would be a good neighbor.

He said his trucks are new and they don’t have backup beeping sounds. He also offered to provide additional buffering and add soundproofing.

In the end, however, those promised weren’t enough.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told Brown she understands the need for this type of towing service, but said the proposed location just won’t work.

She asked the county’s staff to work with the applicant to see if they can help him find a more appropriate location.

The board voted 5-0 to deny the conditional use request.

Published October 19, 2022

Pasco schools continues work to improve safety and security

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Mass shootings on school campuses — in places like Uvalde, Texas and Parkland, Florida —  highlight the need to focus on continuous improvement of safety on school campuses.

In Florida, it’s the law.

Michael Baumaister, the district’s chief of safety and emergency operations, gave a general overview of the district security plan for 2022-2023 school year during the Pasco County School Board’s Oct. 4 meeting.

Entry buzzers have been installed at schools across Pasco County. Visitors push the doorbell and are buzzed in, individually. (File)

That overview followed a private session between the board, Baumaister,and representatives of law enforcement agencies who work closely with the school district on safety and security issues.

The closed-door meeting was necessary so security professionals could brief the board on issues that must remain confidential.

But during the board meeting, Baumaister explained general steps the district is taking to continue to improve security.

He explained Florida’s law for school safety plans was adopted after 17 people were killed and 17 were injured in the 2018 Valentine’s Day shooting spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland.

Those shootings spurred a public outcry and persistent student protests. Ultimately, state legislators mandated a series of new steps intended to reduce threats on campuses across Florida.

Baumaister said even before those state actions, Pasco had been seeking ways to improve safety.

Those efforts continue.

“Every year, our partners do campus tours with us. We walk through our campuses and, from there, we develop new procedures, we plan projects and then we prioritize our projects.

“The partnership we have (with law enforcement) does work. We’re fortunate in our county that we have that. Not every county experiences that. We’re very lucky,” Baumaister said.

Baumaister described some of the current efforts, including a work-order system to make minor repairs at schools, such as repairing fences and cameras.

The district also uses window security film, to harden the exterior of its schools, aimed at making it harder for intruders to penetrate.

It also has added a doorbell system, to give staff the ability to find out who is visiting and why, before allowing access.

It also has polished up its reunification and emergency operations plans, he said.

Fencing also has been added at some schools, to make them “less open access,” while retaining the appearance of the building being a school, he said.

“We also added signage. And, we’re constantly doing more communication improvements,” Baumaister said.

Completing improvements, however, required funding, he said.

The district is asking the state to continue its funding at the current level, Baumaister said.

The district also has allocated funds for school hardening efforts, from potential future Penny for Pasco revenues, if voters approve that initiative.

School board member Alison Crumbley commented on the thoroughness of the presentation the board received during its closed-door session.

She commended Baumaister’s leadership.

“We can’t, obviously, share a lot because of security reasons. But everyone in this county, parents, citizens, should be aware of the work that he has led and that the teams have put together.

“It’s mind-blowing the good things we have in place here in Pasco County,” she said.

She also noted that the Pasco school district is considered a leader regarding its partnerships with law enforcement.

The “state looks to Pasco County for guidance in a lot of areas of school security,” Crumbley said.

She also noted those leading the efforts “are continuing to do work constantly — they’re not just stopping where we are, and it’s incredible.”

Published October 19, 2022

Pasco County Board bans retail sales of rabbits

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The Pasco County Commission adopted an ordinance on Oct. 10 banning the retail sales of rabbits.

The board previously had prohibited the sales of rabbits in public venues, but now is banning the sales at pet stores and retail establishments.

The board previously voted to prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats, to protect the pet and consumer from unlicensed breeders, pet sellers and pet dealers.

Pasco County has banned the retail sales of rabbits. The Pasco County Commission previously had outlawed the retail sale of dogs and cats, kittens and puppies. (File)

In adopting the retail ban on rabbit sales, the board cited the necessity of the ordinance based on “the increase in abandonment of pet domestic rabbits in the wild and being surrendered in large numbers to rabbit rescues and animal rescue organizations by pet owners who are unable or unwilling to be responsible for ownership and care of their rabbit for the life of the pet.”

The ordinance also cites information from animal welfare organizations, animal rescues and animal shelters that attribute the primary cause for abandonment on the impulse buying from retail pet stores during specific holidays without sufficient forethought or education on the care and pet ownership required for the life of a rabbit.

It also notes domestic unvaccinated and unsterilized rabbits being abandoned in communities or in the wild present a growing threat to the health of native wild rabbit species through the potential spread of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Type 2 (RHDV-2), which is now being monitored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

During a Dec. 7 meeting, Dr. Betsy Coville, a veterinarian from Lutz, told commissioners that rabbits are the third most-surrendered pet.

“They require higher maintenance than dogs or cats and can live 10 to 12 years,” she said. “Frequently dumped outside, when the rescues are full, they starve, become prey for coyotes, or are hit by a car.”

Bunny mills are consistently the source for these rabbits that become unwanted.

They’re “no different from the puppy mills that we recognize as inhumane,” she said. “There are currently three locations in Florida that have placed bans on retail sales of rabbits: Orange County, Desoto County and Key West.

“They have all placed rabbits, along with dogs and cats, in their retail sale ban.”

Animal advocate Renee Rivard, who appeared before the board on Sept. 28 and at the Dec. 7 meeting, reiterated her concerns.

On Dec. 7 she said: “The Tampa Humane Society has taken in 246 unwanted pet rabbits so far this year. That’s 100 more than last year.

“Hillsborough County commissioners are taking action, because the Tampa Humane Society is their partner in helping the county with unwanted pets.”

She asked the Pasco board to do the same: “There is no facility in Pasco County that takes in unwanted rabbits. Suncoast House Rabbit Rescue is your partner with unwanted pet rabbits here in Pasco County. Suncoast House Rabbit Rescue has told you that they are overwhelmed.”

In September alone, they had to turn away 66 unwanted pet rabbits.

“It is extremely difficult to find fosters and homes for rabbits. Rabbits are a high-maintenance pet,” Rivard said. “They need specialized veterinarian care, which is expensive.”

She also explained the majority of rabbit sales are impulse buys at retail stores that especially occur around Easter, when children tell their parents they want a bunny rabbit.

Rivard told commissioners: “You have roughly 45 pet stores in Pasco County; 36 of them survive, without selling rabbits.”

The board directed its staff to bring back a proposal to amend the county ordinance to ban the bunny sales.

Mike Shumate, the director of animal services, brought the proposed change to the county ordinance to the board at its Oct. 11 meeting. The board approved the ban on a 5-0 vote.

Published October 19, 2022

Pasco schools step up to help Ian victims

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Pasco County Schools plans to send 20 buses to Southwest Florida, to help in recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian.

Superintendent Kurt Browning asked the school board to surplus some of the district’s older buses, in order to give them to districts in need.

(File)

The Pasco County School Board unanimously approved that action, during its Oct. 4 meeting.

The superintendent also informed the board that more help will be provided to districts affected by Ian, but first, more information is required on what’s needed and where.

“There’s a lot of chatter out there: ‘What do we need to do? What do we need to do? We need to do something, we need to do something,’” Browning said. “We are still trying to contact superintendents in Southwest Florida, to find out specifically, ‘What are those needs?’

“As you’ve heard the news, there are still some districts that are not open and do not know when they will reopen,” Browning said.

“The last thing that we want to do, as a district, is get together a lot of supplies and (A), not know exactly what they need; and then (B), expect them to have some place to house and keep supplies dry and mold-free,” the superintendent said.

“I just want the board to know that we are working on a plan, but we’re going to work through the superintendent’s association, obviously working with the FDOE (Florida Department of Education) and the individual superintendents in those impacted districts.

“We are doing something, but we’re going to do it with a well thought-out plan, at the appropriate time, and for the needs that are actually needing to be met.”

Published October 12, 2022