The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

285 dwellings proposed at Old Pasco Road, State Road 52

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended changes to the county’s land use plan to allow consideration of 285 dwelling units at the southeast corner of State Road 52 and Old Pasco Road.

The current land use designation, RES-3, allows up to three dwellings per acre. The new one, RES-12, would allow up to 12 dwellings per acre on slightly less than 28 acres. About 1.85 acres of the 29.25-acre site would retain its current designation of ROR (office, retail, residential) — but the intention is to use the entire site for a residential project, according to materials in the planning board’s March 17 meeting agenda packet.

In addition to the land use change, the applicant, represented by attorney Barbara Wilhite, intends to seek a rezoning for a master-planned unit development including detached or attached units, with buildings on the site being no more than two stories tall, according to the agenda backup.

Initially, the applicant was seeking to change the entire site to a land use designation allowing 12 units per acre. The applicant, however, amended the request, after David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, raised issues about amending the ROR portion of the site.

Goldstein told Nectarios Pittos, the county’s planning and development director, that he was concerned about changing the ROR designation to R-12 because of the potential for a future request to change the ROR use on the property to the north, to allow additional residential.

He asked Pittos if the planning director could document “that we’re not giving additional residential to that property owner to the north, because there’s already adequate residential in this ROR district, including the area we’re about to change right now.”

Another option, Goldstein said, would be for the county to change the designation on the land to commercial, to retain office and retail uses on the land.

“The problem with the ROR district is that it allows all three (commercial, office and retail),” Goldstein said.

“I just think it would be a mistake to take that key corner of (State Road) 52 and Old Pasco Road and make it residential … I’m worried that 10 years from now some staff person says, ‘ROR, residential’s allowed.’”

Pittos said he understood Goldstein’s concern and that he could make a notation in the county’s files.

That’s when Clarke Hobby, an attorney who frequently appears on behalf of clients at land use and zoning hearings, stepped up to the microphone.

Hobby told the planning board that he wasn’t there to represent the property owner to the north, but that he is working with that landowner.

Hobby then said: “I think it’s really inappropriate for the county to be effectively trying to impose conditions on their (the adjacent) property, when their property wasn’t the subject of today’s application.

“Effectively what you are saying is that their comp (land use) plan is being changed or conditioned somehow today, and they had no knowledge of it, so I think it’s unfair,” Hobby said.

Goldstein then asked Wilhite why it was necessary to change the ROR designation on the pending application.

Both the attorney and the county planning staff told Wilhite the density that is being sought in the forthcoming request for master-planned unit development could be achieved, without changing the ROR designation.

Wilhite said she was willing to drop that request, as long as it did not require re-advertising the request or delaying the process.

Goldstein said re-advertising would not be required because Wilhite is not seeking to change the ROR. That being said, Wilhite agreed.

In the backup materials, planners recommended approval of the proposed land use change, noting that it complies with the county’s policy regarding the provision of transitional uses to serve as a buffer between varying densities of residential and commercial land uses.

Planners also found that the “proposed amendment to RES-12 supports the vision and

mission of the South Market Area by encouraging higher-density residential development adjacent to major corridors.”

And, they noted because of the proximity of the Interstate 75 corridor and State Road 52, the proposed use “provides the opportunity for residents to live/work within major corridors.”

The planning board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed land use change. The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning changes.

The proposed development cannot proceed until the pending master-planned unit development zoning also gains approval from the county board.

Published March 23, 2022

Airport area moratorium is on hold

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Questions about potential impacts from a proposed moratorium on development near airport land have prompted a delay by the Pasco County Commission, to give stakeholders more time to weigh in on the issue.

A continuance already had been planned, to push the matter back to April 5, but Commissioner Mike Moore called for additional time to study the issue.

“I am getting way too many questions from stakeholders. A lot of questions, a lot of concerns,” Moore told his colleagues.

“I think this needs to be pushed (back) at least another month to give time for the stakeholders to get involved, on both sides,” Moore said at the county board’s March 8 meeting.

The first reading of the proposed moratorium ordinance is now set for April 19 at 1:30 p.m., in New Port Richey, with a final vote scheduled for May 3 at 1:30 p.m., in Dade City.

Concerns about the proposed moratorium initially arose during the Pasco County Planning Commission’s March 3 meeting.

The objections surfaced after Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, gave the planning board a presentation on the proposed six-month moratorium.

The moratorium would put a 180-day pause on most development proposals near Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Pilot Country Airport, Tampa North Aero Park and Hidden Lake Airport.

Hernandez explained that county staff had been directed by the county board on Jan. 11 to do the necessary work to establish the temporary moratorium.

Then, on Feb. 8, the county board applied the pending ordinance doctrine to the airport zoning moratorium, which means that applications must be accepted and processed in their normal course, but applicants must be informed “they are going forward at their own risk and if the moratorium is adopted, their application may be put on hold for the duration of the moratorium.”

Hernandez also noted: “the moratorium ordinance may contain certain exceptions to the moratorium that would allow some applications to proceed, if certain requirements are met.”

The county also has retained a consultant to create noise contour studies around Tampa North Aero Park, Hidden Lake and Pilot Country.

Hernandez explained to the planning board that there is a 20,000-foot area around airports that is deemed to be the height obstruction area.

“Any application that comes in where something is going to be over 200 feet in height, in that area, it’s required by the state that you notify the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration),” she said.

Another part of the moratorium addresses potential applications that could be deemed to be incompatible with airport operations.

“We provide examples of what may be incompatible with airport operations,” Hernandez said.

“For example, residential uses, landfills, wildlife attractants, uses that will cause visual obstructions, such as dust, glare, light emissions, smoke, steam and/or fog.

“It doesn’t mean it’s prohibited,” she said.

It means that the county can use conditions to ensure that incompatible uses do not occur.

There’s also a noise abatement area.

“Typically, in a noise abatement area, state statute says you cannot have residential. It also says that you cannot have an educational facility unless the education facility is an airport school, that you are teaching flying,” Hernandez said.

Barbara Wilhite, a private land use attorney, who has represented clients with projects near airports, raised objections to language within the county’s proposed moratorium.

“I don’t have any issue with the Florida statutes. The Florida statutes require that you implement two types of regulations. One, you check height. And, the second one is you check land use compatibility, based upon noise generation of the airports.

“It’s two things. Pretty straight-forward,” Wilhite said.

But she objects to language in the proposed moratorium that says “uses may be conditioned, so as not to be incompatible with airport operations, such as landfills, wildlife attractants, uses that cause visual obstructions, such as glare, dust, light emissions, smoke, steam and fog.”

Wilhite urged the planning board to require more specific language and to reduce staff’s discretion.

As an applicant, Wilhite said, “You have to figure out, you and your engineers, how to comply with dealing with wildlife attractants, which is a circular that’s like six pages off the internet. You have to figure out what the heck that means.”

She urged the planning board to recommend a moratorium that focuses on the issues of noise and height, as it relates to development around airports.

“I think when we get into a real quagmire is when we go beyond that,” Wilhite said. “Make this more simple to implement. It’s very, very, very cumbersome.

“The way it is being done is not fair, is not reasonable, is not striking a balance that it should,” Wilhite added.

Jeremy Couch, a professional engineer who has handled projects near airports, told the planning board that the proposed moratorium is too broad and gives staff too much latitude.

Hernandez said there are letters of support for the proposed moratorium that have been submitted to the record.

Nectarios Pittos, the county’s director of planning and development, said the proposed moratorium still allows options for development.

Wilhite said she’s worried that the language in the temporary moratorium could be the precursor of the final ordinance, but David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, said it is not unusual for the language in a temporary moratorium to be broader in nature.

Published March 23, 2022

Business Digest 03/23/2022

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Grand reopening
Florida-based Everglades Equipment Group is hosting a grand reopening on March 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 2240 Success Drive, in Odessa. The event will feature the company’s renovated showroom, introduce the community to its new leadership team, and offer free lunch from Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant, fun activities and giveaways to attendees.

“The grand reopening event is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for the Odessa community and share our story,” Eric Anderson, Everglades Odessa site manager, said in a news release.

Community members are encouraged to learn more about the event and RSVP at Odessa.EFE1963.com.

Resolving workplace conflict
Learn to understand the dynamics of conflict and develop skills to find a peaceful resolution. The free webinar, scheduled for March 30 from noon to 1 p.m., will be presented by Jackie Eden, director of career services for Pasco-Hernando State College. To register, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

Chamber brochure exchange
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its brochure exchange in New Port Richey on March 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Gill Dawg Tiki Bar & Grill, 5419 Treadway Drive. Registration is free for chamber members and $10 for non-members. If you are not a member and would like to attend, call 727-842-7651 or 813-909-2722 for a one-time free entry.

Marine conservation support
Duke Energy has added $100,000 to Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida to support fisheries, water quality and research, according to a news release.

The recent donation was announced on March 3 at CCA Florida’s Manatee County Chapter Banquet and Auction.

The funds will add to a previous $150,000 contribution from Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation to support CCA Florida’s efforts to bring new reef systems to the Gulf of Mexico and to test new approaches to clean up fish kills after red tide, the news release says.

Chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce breakfast is set for April 7 at 7 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd. The featured speaker will be Dr. Joseph Derbyshire, a board-certified ear, nose and throat and facial plastic surgeon. Event entry is $10.

Volunteer board seats
The City of Zephyrhills is seeking volunteers to serve on its Historic Preservation Board (two openings), its Planning Commission (two openings) and its Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (one opening).

To access applications, visit tinyurl.com/3sfa5549.

Mission-driven leadership
Saint Leo University is hosting a free event featuring Nick DeMarinis, vice president of sales at WeWork and a former LinkedIn executive.

The Mission-Driven Leaders: Conversations on Purpose program will take place on March 29 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., in Saint Leo University’s Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms and online via Zoom.

Registration is required online at SaintLeo.edu/mdl to attend the event at the school, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, or via Zoom.

Masks will be required by all individuals while indoors. This guidance is required regardless of whether the individual is vaccinated.

Results from Pigz in Z’Hills
More than 4,000 people turned out for the two-day Pigz in Z’Hills Festival on March 4 and March 5 at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Fifty-six teams from Florida competed in the 2022 State BBQ Championship. Professional and backyard teams competed for top honors and trophies in four standard categories of chicken, pork, brisket and ribs.

The winners were:

  • Professional division: Accutech BBQ of Sarasota, under head cook John Fries: Grand Champion of the 2022 State Barbecue Championship; Hot Wachula’s of Bartow, led by Matt Barber; Reserve Champion.
  • Backyard division: Matty B’s of Plant City, under Matt Bowers, first place; Sloppy Hogs, of Naples, under Todd Bender, second place.

Local teams with top-level finishes were Bahr’s Smokin’ Butts, under Kevin Bahr, fourth overall, second in pork; Daryl Coleman of Coleman’s BBQ, first place in ribs and fifth, overall; and Dr. Rick Moore of Smoke Show, first in brisket.

In the Kidz grilling contest, Devin Brown placed first; Aryana Coleman came in second; and, Daniella Gutierrez took third.

Pasco pushing for improved curb appeal

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Pasco County commissioners have been advocating more attractive residential neighborhoods in recent months and now, they are shifting their focus to commercial corridors.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey raised the issue during the board’s March 8 meeting.

She prefaced her comments by saying that for 30 years she’s been involved in “a never-ending challenge to clean up Pasco County.”

She then began showing her colleagues some photographs.

Proposed change calls for fewer chain link fences around businesses on main Pasco roads. (B.C. Manion)

“This is a company that’s moved onto (State Road) 54, without permits, to open up a towing site,” the chairwoman said, showing a property with a chain-link fence topped by barbed wire, and no landscaping.

“It is very unsightly. It kind of reminds me of the federal prison,” Starkey said. “I don’t think this is what we want (state roads) 54, 56 and other roads to be looking like.”

Starkey added: “The chain-link, barbed-wire thing doesn’t belong on our main arterials and collectors, and whatever other roads in your district that you want to designate.”

She also mentioned another example involving a business that moved from State Road 54, where it had a vinyl, opaque fence to State Road 52.

“But now, on (State Road) 52, they have a chain-link fence with barbed wire.

“We’ve got Angeline coming in there. You know, we’re trying to build nice communities.

“Chain link and barbed wire? We can do better,” Starkey said.

She also showed the board a series of other photos.

“This is where they had all of the oak trees and they cut them all down,” she said, showing a chain-link fence on State Road 54.

“We allowed them to put the landscaping behind the fence. It does absolutely nothing,” she said.

Commissioners Jack Mariano and Mike Moore both agreed that placing the landscaping behind the fence doesn’t make sense.

Nectarios Pittos, director of the county’s planning and development department, told the commissioners: “I think with regard to the landscaping, they’re on the inside of the fence line mainly because the orientation is to screen to the larger traffic area. Moving the orientation to the outside of the fencing, then the orientation is screening for motorists.”

Starkey responded: “I think that’s what we want. We want to project a better view from the road.”

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder noted: “The code is also being used for residential, so traditionally, you screen the neighborhood from the road.”

Starkey responded: “That’s up to the neighborhood, but the traveling public needs to be protected from ugly.”

Mariano shared similar sentiments: “We want the place to look good from the roadway, when people are driving by. We’re not worried about what it looks like inside, we’re worried about how it looks outside.”

Pittos said it would not be difficult to specify in the code that landscaping should be placed on the right of way side of the fence.

“That just means that the fence is no longer at property line. The fence is probably 10, 20 feet within the property line, so that whatever buffer yard that’s there, let’s say, can be facing the right of way,” he said.

Starkey wants the county’s land development code to address fence types.

“We would probably target this toward our main arterial and collector roads, and those roads that have a transit emphasis on them, so State Road 54, 56, 52, the north-south arteries, like U.S. 19, Little Road, I could march all of the way to the east, but you get the idea,” Pittos said.

The planning director continued: “The chain link and the barbed wire — there’s a preference not to see it. Is there a fence type that is preferred?”

Commissioner Moore responded: “We can’t make that decision right now.”

Starkey added: “I think there may be some very few exceptions for chain link, and I think we should leave that window open.”

Moore agreed: “You might want to hear some of the issues that you’d run into.

“If we’re talking about (state roads) 54, 56 and (U.S.) 41, —wherever it may be — we still do have some ag properties along there, that need barbed wire, that need fencing for the cattle,” Moore said.

In essence, Starkey’s message was this: “Don’t degrade our communities.”

Starkey wrapped up the discussion by telling staff she felt they’d received sufficient direction.

Published March 13, 2022

Pasco officials await final word on state appropriations

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Pasco County officials were awaiting word early this week on the fate of a proposed $14 million appropriation to help cover the costs of the completion of the Ridge Road extension.

State lawmakers were set to have their final vote on the budget on March 14, which was after The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

Even if the appropriation was approved, Gov. Ron DeSantis has until June 30 to act on the budget, which becomes official on July 1.

The one-time $14 million appropriation is being sought to help pay for the final phase of the Ridge Road extension, which ultimately creates a connection between Moon Lake Road, in New Port Richey to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco officials have lobbied for the state spending. They say Ridge Road provides a needed hurricane evacuation route for coastal residents. They also tout the project’s ability to improve mobility within the county, by creating another east-west traffic corridor, in addition to state roads 52 and 54.

Plus, the project, which is due for completion in 2025, is expected to have a positive impact on economic development.

It is viewed as a critical piece of infrastructure to support the development of Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned 775-acre acre in Central Pasco.

Besides awaiting word on the appropriation, Pasco County officials are pushing for an agreement with Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, to allow traffic to head northbound  from Ridge Road to the Suncoast Parkway.

The county board had authorized County Administrator Dan Biles to pursue an agreement that would allow the county to temporarily pay for tolls on the Suncoast Parkway — to accommodate the complete opening of the Ridge Road extension at that interchange.

The agreement is needed because Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise must collect tolls for users on the toll road.

But Commissioner Mike Moore and Biles reported to the board that no progress had been made because the county had not heard back from Turnpike Enterprise.

With that, the county board voted to authorize a letter to be sent to the governor, seeking prompt action.

Meanwhile, Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey reached out to David Gwynn, secretary of the District 7 office of the Florida Department of Transportation.

Gwynn reached out to an official at Turnpike Enterprise, and he was assured that action would be taken later that day or the next day.

Once that agreement is reached, the interchange is expected to be fully opened within a week, according to county staff.

In another action on March 8, the county board approved a change order to the professional services agreement with NV5 Inc., in the amount of amount of $701,994.70 for fiscal year 2022, to provide additional design, permitting, utility coordination, and bid services for Phase 2b of the Ridge Road extension, from Sunlake Boulevard to U.S. 41.

Details of the change order were spelled out in the board’s agenda packet. The item was approved as part of the board’s consent agenda, meaning there was no public comment and it was approved with other agenda items, in a single action.

Approval of the change order will result in a cumulative subtotal amount of $1,391,724.70 for Phase 2b of the project and a cumulative total amount of $16,143,847.99 for all phases of the Ridge Road extension, from Moon Lake to U.S. 41.

On Dec. 8, 2020, the board approved a change order with NV5 for design services and CSX coordination for the Ridge Road Extension Phase 2b project.

The design services were limited to roadway plans up to 60% completion and structural plans up to 90%, which was the minimum necessary for the coordination with CSX.

The change order was awarded for the not-to-exceed amount of $689,730 for FY 2021.

The change order approved on March 8 will add funds to complete the design of Ridge Road Extension Phase 2b.

That includes the development of signing and marking plans, signalization plans, landscaping plans, completion of roadway plans, drainage plans and permitting, and utility coordination. The change also adds a time extension of 150 days from Oct. 8, 2022 to March 7, 2023.

Published March 13, 2022

Pasco adopts moratorium regarding vehicle sales businesses

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Pasco County has adopted a temporary moratorium on the establishment or opening of any new or used car, truck or sales business — to give the county time to draft new regulations affecting that industry.

The moratorium, which applies to vehicle sales businesses in unincorporated parts of the county, does not apply to businesses that are currently planning to open a new business or to amend their current site plans, provided they are following the county’s regulations.

The intention is to halt a proliferation of businesses that are opening without following proper procedures, according to Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey, who has championed the 180-day moratorium.

Ultimately, Starkey said, this step will benefit the businesses that either are currently operating within the county’s regulations or are seeking to open or expand their business under county-approved site plans.

The idea is to require everyone to play by the same rules, Starkey has said during previous discussions on the topic.

The county board unanimously approved the moratorium at its March 8 meeting.

An industry stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled on April 13 to discuss potential changes to regulations, and to gather feedback and suggestions. To find out more about that meeting, interested parties can call Starkey’s district office or the county’s planning and development department.

In other action, the county board:

  • Approved a request by Eddie L. and Elizabeth A. Hill and Lennon, Inc./SR 54 & Morris Bridge Road to rezone slightly over 2 acres from an agricultural residential zoning to a general commercial zoning. The property is on the south side of State Road 54, about 310 feet east of Morris Bridge Road.
  • Approved a change to the county’s land use plan to increase the development potential on approximately 80 acres from one residential unit per acre to three residential units per acre, on a site that’s east of Handcart Road and north of Eiland Boulevard. A rezoning request will follow, seeking to change the zoning designation on the property to a master-planned unit development. The proposed site, Chapel Creek master-planned unit development phase II, will be required to opt into Villages of Pasadena Hills.
  • Approved an amendment to the land use plan to comply with a state requirement for local governments to amend their comprehensive plan to define “solar facility” using a standardized definition and to permit it as a use within agricultural land uses.
  • Approved a rezoning to allow a maximum of 200 single-family attached and detached dwelling units on approximately 40 acres, within Village F of the Villages of Pasadena Hills.

Published March 13, 2022

Political Agenda 03/13/2022

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Municipal elections coming soon
Municipal elections are set for April 12. Here’s the list of candidates for city commission, town commission and city council in The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area:

Dade City Commission Group 1
Scott Black
Kelly Smith

Dade City Commission Group 2
Ann Cosentino
Keely R. Karatinos

St. Leo Town Commissioner, Seat 1
Donna H. DeWitt

St. Leo Town Commissioner, Seat 3
James E. Hallett

St. Leo Town Commissioner, Seat 5
William E. Hamilton
Susan J. Lashlee

San Antonio City Commissioner
Alison R. Cagle
Timothy N. Pettis
Sarah E. Schrader
John T. Vogel

Zephyrhills City Council, Seat 1
Lance Smith

Zephyrhills City Council, Seat 4
Ken Burgess

East Pasco Democrats
The East Pasco Democratic Club will meet March 21, remotely on Zoom.  All members and friends of the Democratic Party are invited to attend. An open forum will discuss current events. Socializing starts at 6 p.m. Meeting starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Email or call 813-383-8315 for details.

Central Pasco Democrats
The Central Pasco Democratic Club will meet on March 16, via Zoom.  Socializing starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Please join us for current information about Democrats in Central Pasco.  For details, go to .

Republican Club of Central Pasco
The March 28 meeting of The Republican Club of Central Pasco will feature the candidates for the District 2 County Commissioner seat vacated by Commissioner Mike Moore. Seth Weightman, Christie Zimmer and Troy Stevenson each will have the opportunity to talk about their campaigns and their vision for Pasco County. Each candidate will be asked to answer three questions that will be predetermined before the meeting.

The meeting is open to the public. The club encourages anyone that seeks to be involved in the political process to attend. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O Lakes Blvd, Land O Lakes, FL 34639. The social begins at 6 p.m., followed by the meetings, which begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, 813-996-3011.

Hahn seeking reelection
Stacy Hahn is seeking reelection to the Hillsborough County School Board in District 2.

Seth Weightman endorsements
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano and Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells have endorsed Seth Weightman, according to the candidate, who is running for the District 2 seat on the Pasco County Commission. Mike Moore, who currently represents District 2, has announced his retirement from politics.

Sollberger intends to run for House District 37
Brad Solberger has submitted initial paperwork, in his pursuit to seek the District 37 seat in the Florida House of Representatives, according to an email he sent to The Laker/Lutz News. He said he will file the remaining paperwork on May 30, the first allowed day to submit early qualifying documentation.

Apartments’ rejection is challenged

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SD Wesley Chapel LLC and Stock Development LLC are challenging the Pasco County Commission’s decision to reject a proposed mixed-use project of apartments, office and retail on a parcel in Seven Oaks.

The petitioners have filed a challenge under the state’s Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act.

They claim that the county’s denial was “unreasonable and unduly burdensome.”

David Goldstein, chief assistant Pasco County attorney disputes that claim.

He wrote, in part: “The denial was not unreasonable or unfairly burdensome to petitioner, because the board did not take away any of petitioner’s existing rights to utilize petitioner’s property (“Parcel S-19”) for retail and/or office uses, which have been the uses contemplated for Parcel S-19” since the Seven Oaks development was approved.

Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder informed the county board of the challenge, during its Feb. 22 meeting.

The petitioners have filed a challenge under the state’s Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act.

“It’s a process that someone who believes that they are inordinately burdened by the action by the Board of County Commissioners in land development can take,” Steinsnyder explained.

Both parties agree to a special magistrate, which in this case will be David Mechanik, a Tampa attorney who is a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator and a certified planner, Steinsnyder said.

“Unlike a court mediation, the public is invited to attend, especially those who are affected,” Steinsnyder said.

There will be an opportunity for negotiation, between the petitioners and the county, to see if a resolution can occur.

“If such a resolution were to occur, I’m not saying that it would, then that would come forward to the board in another public hearing to vote on whatever the settlement would be,” Steinsnyder said.

The mediation would take place in a county facility, which be selected based on how many people are expected to attend, Steinsnyder said.

The dispute stems from the county’s Jan. 11 denial of the petitioners’ request to modify the entitlements on a parcel within Seven Oaks to allow a development that includes 320 luxury apartment units in a vertical mixed-used project on land zoned for commercial uses.

The proposed project site is next to the Sam’s Club, in Seven Oaks, a community in Wesley Chapel, off State Road 56 and County Road 581.

The county board rejected the request on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Mike Moore, Jack Mariano and Ron Oakley supported Moore’s motion for denial, while Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick dissented.

Seven Oaks’ residents turned out in force at the public hearing to express their opposition.

In the hours-long meeting, many residents testified that their community already has land available for apartments, in a more appropriate location.

They said the traffic created by the development would add to already congested roads and would pose hazards.

They complained that the amount of proposed development was too much for its intended site.

The developer, however, said the project has been carefully planned and would be an asset to the area. He said that great efforts had been made to amend his plans and to design a project that would offer a high-qualify lifestyle, while also incorporating some commercial elements.

County commissioners Moore and Mariano said the proposed project reduces the amount of land available for job-generating uses. Oakley said the project was too big for the proposed site.

The special magistrate is expected to consider the merit of the request for relief, seek solutions between the petitioners and Pasco County, hold an informal public hearing, and then issue his recommendation.

Pasco County has requested that the special magistrate hold the hearing as soon as practicable.

Published March 09, 2022

Will taxes go up to improve salaries in Pasco County Schools?

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A workshop is expected in April for Pasco County School Board members to find out what it would take to pursue a ballot initiative aimed at increasing revenues to support increased salaries in the school district.

Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin asked for the workshop during the school board’s March 1 meeting. She told her colleagues she doesn’t see any way, under current conditions, to significantly improve salaries.

“I recognize that staff has tried to think creatively to increase funds to raise the pay of our teachers and our support staff,” Beaudoin said, adding that district pay has been a persistent concern for three years.

“Time has gone on and we still have the same issues. We are limited to the appropriated funds and it is clearly not enough to provide significant increases in salaries for our people.

“We have been making strides in raising the beginning teacher salary, but due to the limitations put on the funds by the state, we’re struggling to compensate our veteran teachers to make their salaries comparable to our neighboring districts.

“I believe we have come to the point where we must recognize that we have limited, unrestricted funds and must do something to increase pay.

“Pasco students deserve to have the best teachers and support.

“I requested information about referendums around the state from the Florida School Boards Association and I shared it with staff last week.

“I would like to ask the board and the superintendent to have a workshop in April to discuss a referendum for salaries,” Beaudoin said.

Board Vice Chairwoman Megan Harding concurred. “Yes, I would like that very much.”

Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong had a more muted response: “It would be good to have it for informational purposes.”

Board member Alison Crumbley agreed.

Board member Allen Altman did not comment on Beaudoin’s request.

Harding asked if School Board Attorney Dennis Alfonso “could be prepared to address the timelines and legal issues” of “how to get something like this on the ballot.”

The attorney said he would be prepared.

Beaudoin added: “The sooner we address this, the better. Hopefully, we can meet in early April. I’m not sure it can be ready that fast, but I think we need to move quickly if we want to act.”

But first the workshop is needed, she said.

The move follows repeated requests by Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, who has appeared at recent board meetings urging the board to take action.

The union president made that request again, in his remarks earlier in the meeting.

At earlier meetings, Peace pleaded with the school board and staff to pursue a ballot initiative.

He pointed to high turnover, low morale and pay rates that are not competitive with nearby districts.

“At the Jan. 18 board meeting, I spoke about employees and their perceptions, as related to their jobs, their importance and their workloads.

“I spoke about changing the perceived culture of the workforce, so that we all show more respect, dignity and compassion for those folks — who for the past two years put themselves on the front lines of a medical crisis and made our students their No. 1 priority. Even at much personal sacrifice,” Peace said.

Just since January of this year, there have been 382 retirements or resignations — that’s almost 100 every two weeks, the union leader said.

Of those, 267 have been with the district from zero to five years, Peace said, characterizing that as “incredibly high” turnover.

He also pointed out that 52 of those leaving the district have worked there for 12 years or more, adding “and that trend seems to be going up.”

Peace told the board: “As I see it, we have a short-term goal, settling this year’s economics, and laying the groundwork for providing a secondary means for funding salaries and personnel: A ballot initiative. A referendum.

“I have asked for over three years for this board to act on a referendum, as a secondary funding source.

“This is something we have to get right, now. Because this is right for our employees and the time to act is short,” Peace said.

Published March 09, 2022

Youth group home can proceed, with conditions

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has waived the requirement for a conditional use permit in connection with a Wesley Chapel group home for at-risk youths.

The planning board unanimously approved the request for the waiver during its March 3 meeting.

Elevated Youth Services can now exceed the previous maximum of six residents at its residential treatment facility, provided the residential treatment facility meets negotiated conditions.

The group home is for young men, ages 13 to 17.

The planning board originally heard the request to waive a conditional use permit requirement for the home at its Jan. 6 meeting.

The issue was continued, however, after both planning board members and neighbors raised a number of questions about the proposed operations.

Neighbors wanted to know how potential group home residents would be screened. They also wanted to know how the youths would be supervised.

Area residents also raised concerns about the group home’s capacity to handle the potential number of occupants, asked about the sufficiency of the home’s septic system, cited existing problems with drainage, noted a lack of sufficient play areas and pointed out that there’s not enough room for parking.

Some planning board members also pressed for more details on how the residents would be selected and what steps would be taken to protect the existing neighborhood.

The request was continued, as Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein negotiated conditions of approval with Dan McDonald, a fair housing attorney representing Elevated Youth Services, the operator of the group home; and, Robert Lincoln, an attorney representing Noelle Munroe, who lives three doors down from the group home.

Goldstein said the group home is intended for youths who have been living in foster homes and who have experienced human trafficking or are at risk of being trafficked. He said the Pasco County Commission supports efforts aimed at addressing the trafficking problem.

Here’s a summary of some of the conditions that the attorneys negotiated. They must be met if Youth Elevated Services wants to exceed six residents at the group home:

  • Occupants in the facility shall be limited to minors with handicaps or disabilities, as defined by the Fair Housing Act or Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as adults supervising those minors.
  • The facility is limited to 16 minor residents or occupants (and adult supervisors), permitted by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) — or limited by applicable building codes (fire code, sanitation, health), whichever is more stringent.
  • The facility shall be licensed by DCF and shall not be licensed by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
  • The admissions screening process for the facility shall exclude residents who have been adjudicated based on charges of sexual assault, juvenile sexual abuse , violent crimes or their equivalent. The facility shall not accept residents who pose a direct threat of harming others, and the facility shall make that determination based upon an individualized risk assessment and psycho-sexual evaluation. Residents at the facility cannot be deemed as posing a high risk for harming others.
  • The facility will create an advisory board and will offer a seat on that board to at least one member of the neighborhood who lives within 2,500 feet of the group home. The board also will include a seat on that panel for a member of the county’s community services department or the county’s Commission on Human Trafficking.
  • The facility shall maintain at least one adult supervisor for every four minor residents.
  • The minor residents will be under adult supervision or on a school campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The minor resident shall be deemed to have left the facility without permission if an adult supervisor calls 911 within 30 minutes of the minor’s departure; otherwise, the resident will be deemed to have left with permission.
  • No more than six cars can park at the facility. An additional circular driveway must be added within 90 days of the facility housing eight or more minors.
  • The group home must comply with all applicable state licensing requirements, rules, and regulations. The facility must obtain a new certificate of occupancy demonstrating compliance with building code, fire code, sanitation/health code, and establishing maximum occupancy limits.

Goldstein credited Lincoln for helping to improve the conditions for approval.

Goldstein said that Lincoln’s input resulted in greater protections not only for Lincoln’s client, but for the neighborhood, as well.

McDonald said his preference would have been no conditions at all, but said his client wants to be part of the solution.

McDonald also credited Goldstein “herculean” efforts to protect the county’s interests.

By reaching an agreement, the county was able to avoid the potential for liability stemming from inaccurate information provided by a county staff member to Youth Elevated Services.

Before purchasing the house, the company had reached out announcing its intended use of the property and seeking a zoning verification letter.

Elevated Youth Services then received word from the county that a residential group home is a permitted use in the zoning category.

The company subsequently purchased the home.

As it turns out, a residential group home is limited to six residents, as a permitted use.

In approving the waiver for the conditional use, planning board members said they were much more comfortable with the request, given the conditions for approval.

They were particularly pleased by the creation of the advisory board, which will give the neighborhood a chance to monitor the operation and will involve a representative from the Human Trafficking Commission.

Published March 09, 2022