The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Bed and Breakfast approved in northeast Pasco

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has approved a bed and breakfast in Northeast Pasco, on the north side of River Road, about three-quarters of a mile west of Auton Road.

The planning board unanimously approved the request as part of its consent agenda, meaning no one spoke for or against the request.

The board’s action on the special exception request came during its Jan. 20 meeting. The planning board is the final decision-making body on special exception requests, unless an appeal is made to the Pasco County Commission.

In this case, the request came from S&S Ranch, which wants to create a bed and breakfast, tourist home on an 18.28-acre site, in the agricultural district.

The applicant’s narrative describes the proposed bed and breakfast this way: “S&S Airbnb is situated on 18 beautiful acres with beautiful gardens, wildlife, domestic farm animals, and tranquility. The rental unit is located on the downstairs of a two-story home. It has two bedrooms, a private bath, living room and kitchen.

“The site has many amenities and is close to Dade City,” the narrative adds.

“The entertainment venue is located on 18 beautiful acres and has a covered pavilion ready for your gathering of up to 100 people,” the narrative continues.

“The pavilion is beautifully decorated for any event and you can add your special touch for your event. We have tables and chairs to accommodate your guests.

“The pristine gardens and amenities make gorgeous settings for your photos to make lasting memories.

“S&S also provides educational events for children and adults. Educational events such as

preschool field trips where children learn about a working farm, animal husbandry and nature,” the narrative concludes.

Under the conditions for approval, the bed and breakfast is limited to two bedrooms.

The conditions also note that the “event venue shall be limited to the exempt agrotourism activities in Section 570.86, Florida Statutes, as may be amended.”

Another condition states that the property “may be subject to review under the Pasco County code, which shall include building and building regulations, fire prevention and protection, and health and welfare, at the time of site plan review.”

Another condition notes that “the owners/applicants may be required to pay additional impact and mobility fees associated with the change of use from a single-family dwelling unit to a bed and breakfast, tourist home.”

And, “If applicable, the owners/applicants shall pay all associated impact and mobility fees associated with the change of use prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy.”

Before any development activity occurs, the applicant must receive approval of a preliminary site plan.

Other conditions say that, if applicable, the applicant must comply with all the requirements for public lodging under local, state and federal regulations; that the owner must maintain all  required county and state permits, licenses, individual health certificates and inspections.

Also, the owners/applicants shall comply with the requirements of the County’s Tourist Development tax collections.

The conditionals also note that county staff may initiate enforcement actions for violations of the conditions of approval.

Published January 26, 2022

It’s Kumquat Festival time again, in Dade City

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Maybe you’ve never heard of a kumquat.

Or, perhaps you have —  but have never tasted one.

It’s possible, too, that you’ve never visited Dade City — the county seat of Pasco County, with a stately historic courthouse in its town square and quaint shops lining its downtown streets.

An event coming up on Jan. 29 — the 25th annual Kumquat Festival — could change all that.

The festival, which is the flagship event for The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, offers a chance for the East Pasco community to share its old-fashioned Southern charm, while also showing off its fair city.

(File)

The festival celebrates the kumquat — a fruit grown in nearby St. Joe, which is known as the Kumquat Festival of the World.

Those wanting to know more about the tiny, tart fruit — sometimes called the ‘little gold gem of the citrus family’ — can visit the “Kumquat Growers” at the Wells Fargo parking lot. Besides increasing their knowledge about kumquats, they can purchase some to take home, too.

“They’ll be lots of food and beverage opportunities, including those that are in our brick-and-mortar restaurants,” said John Moors, executive director of the Dade City Chamber.

“There will be entertainment around town in different locations, provided by the restaurants and bars, and so on,” he added.

Moors also noted that downtown is entirely wet-zoned, meaning people can enjoy alcoholic beverages while strolling through the district.

They’ll be able to “have a glass of wine or a kumquat beer, and enjoy the arts and the crafts, and the whole experience,” Moors said.

Parking will be available in public and private lots, throughout downtown, he said.

He also expects plenty of kumquats and kumquat products available for purchase.

The annual event is a testimony to Dade City’s community spirit, Moors said.

“The community pulls together to make this happen. It’s just an absolute, wonderful 25 years of community support. We couldn’t do it without all of the volunteers,” he added.

When one festival ends, planning for the next one begins.

Last year, the event took place in March because of concerns about the pandemic.

But it turned out that the weather was a bit too warm, plus there was a caterpillar invasion, so this year the festival is being held at its normal time, in January.

“What we have done over the past couple of years, because of the (COVID-19) conditions that we now face, is that we have reduced somewhat, the size of the festival,” Moors said.

The idea is to ensure that everybody is comfortable and as safe as possible, he said.

At one point, there were more than 400 vendors; this year, it’s between 275 and 300.

“The upside of that, though, is that we have really focused on quality vendors,” Moors said, mentioning vendors offer unique items, as well as high-caliber arts and crafts.

The Kumquat Festival is designed to appeal to people of all ages.

There’s a Kid’s Corral for the youngsters. There are plenty of options for those who enjoy shopping — either at the temporary vendors, or the downtown shops.

Festival-goers who are hungry can choose from local restaurants, or from an array of food trucks.

Quilt enthusiasts can check out a show near the fountain at the historic courthouse, and there’s also a car and truck show in the parking lot of the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Courthouse.

And, there will be a farmer’s market, too.

Organizers encourage those visiting to stay well-hydrated and to take a break, if they’re feeling tired.

Several picnic tables will be set up, so people can relax. Portable toilets and hand-sanitizing stations also will be situated throughout the festival area.

While many vendors take credit cards, there are many that do not. The festival’s Live Event Map indicates the location of available ATMs.

While the chamber coordinates the event, “our volunteers take off and run the whole thing,” Moors said.

“The first group that morning shows up about 4:30, to get the vendors placed,” he said. “And then there’s people (volunteers) all day long.”

25th Annual Kumquat Festival
When: Jan 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dade City
Cost: Free admission; parking available in public and private lots in downtown
Details: Visitors can enjoy a slice of kumquat pie, drink a glass of kumquat beer and take home some kumquats or a variety of goodies celebrating the tiny orange-colored fruit.
Info: DadeCityChamber.org, or contact The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at 352-567-3769 or

Directions to Dade City

  • From Interstate 75, go east on State Road 52 toward downtown Dade City
  • From U.S. Highway 301, go north or south on U.S. 301 and follow toward downtown Dade City

On Festival Day, Jan. 29, there will be an information booth at the intersection of Seventh Street and Meridian Avenue. Also, sponsors and vendors can be found on the Live Event Map, at KumquatFestival.org. It also lists food and restroom locations.

Published January 26, 2022

Champions in cheerleading, and in life

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When the South Pasco Predators Pee Wee cheer team competed at Nationals in Orlando in December, there was the usual excitement at the chance to bring back national honors.

And the girls did it.

They won the cheer squad’s first national championship in a good many years, and they had a big trophy to prove it.

But they didn’t bring that trophy home.

Front base: Lily Kate Paban, Emily Kunze, Payton Lawler, Akilah Polanco, Leah Garner, Ella Cole, Kailynn Fuqua and Isabella Wilson; flyers: Sarah Nubel, Brielle Jordan, Lilianna Haywood, Cora Parks and Kaitlyn Edwards. (Courtesy of Billie Jo Wilson)

Instead, they agreed with their coach, Sabrina Shea, who was inspired to give the trophy to the Pop Warner Manchester RedHawks Pee Wee, from Manchester, Connecticut, another team in the competition.

That team was still reeling from the death of 11-year-old Jaidyn Bolduc, who died on Dec. 2, from injuries sustained in a car accident.

Billie Jo Wilson, cheer mom for the South Pasco Predators, said the team — which is primarily based in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes — wanted to do what it could to help the family that had suffered the tremendous loss.

The South Pasco Predators was one of the last to perform in its division, Wilson said.

They noticed that the Manchester RedHawks, performing its routine just ahead of them, was holding an enlarged photo of a girl, who would have been competing.

“We later found out that she had just been in a car accident (and had died),” Wilson said. “Her family said that she would want them to go out there (to compete).”

The Manchester RedHawks had shared the news of Jaidyn’s death on its Facebook page.

That Dec. 3 post reads: “It is with our deepest sorrow we share the tragic news of the passing of one of our cheerleaders, Jaidyn Bolduc. Words don’t express our heartbreak. We send our condolences to her family and friends and teammates. Jaidyn, we will leave it all on the mat in honor of you at Nationals on Monday. We love you!”

Of course, the South Pasco Predators were thrilled to claim the national title, Wilson said.

But she added: “Even though it was our very first trophy that we’ve won in a long time, our coach was like, ‘Let’s send this to that family.’”

The team agreed.

They sent a note, also posted on the RedHawks’ Facebook page.

It says: “We were heartbroken to hear about your teammate Jaidyn. You all are so strong for persevering and shining bright on the competition floor. It was our honor to compete alongside you and we know that she would be proud. Being able to show the strength and courage that you did, makes your team the true champions.

“We want your team to have this trophy in honor of the amazing job you did. We also wanted to give a medal for her family to have, to show the support of the Pop Warner family.” – South Pasco Predators Pee Wee

The RedHawks responded on its Facebook page: “Today our team received the most beautiful gesture imaginable. Words cannot describe how incredibly grateful and touched we are for the most amazing gesture from the National Champions, South Pasco Predators.

“South Pasco Predators Football & Cheer you are truly a class act, from our family to yours, the sincerest thank you. Thank you for honoring our angel Jaidyn and the team.

“As difficult as this week has been, it’s gestures and acts of kindness like today and over the last week that remind us how beautiful our Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance community is.”

Sandy Piccirillo, Southern CT (Connecticut) Pop Warner cheer coordinator, in the New England Region, also reacted, sending an email to the team, expressing her gratitude for its kind gesture.

“I just wanted to take a minute to write to you all this evening to express how very touched I was to find out that the South Pasco Predators Pee Wee team sent one of my teams, The Manchester RedHawks, their 1st place trophy, banner and a medal to honor one of the RedHawks teammates, Jaidyn Bolduc, whose life was tragically cut short in a motor vehicle accident on Dec. 2.

“The coaches had met with the team and the parents the day after the accident and they all decided they still wanted to come down to Nationals to compete in Jaidyn’s honor.

“They knew this is what Jaidyn would have wanted them to do, but it was still a very emotional and hard day for them as they missed her tremendously.

“The Manchester RedHawks as well as myself were so very touched by this selfless act, this was just a beautiful gesture on behalf of the South Pasco Predators,” Piccirillo wrote.

Wilson, whose daughter Isabella has been on the cheer squad for three years, said there are countless examples of dedication and commitment shown by people involved within the South Pasco Predators Pop Warner organization.

Teams in other divisions within the South Pasco Predators also performed very well at the national championships, with others also winning top honors, Wilson said.

It’s a testimony to the commitment of the cheerleaders and volunteers, she said.

“Nobody is paid. It’s all volunteer,” she said.

“A lot of us who are involved in SPP (South Pasco Predators) are a family.

“Like Jenny (Gynnifer Burnett), the one who runs this, her husband works at the concession; her sister coaches a team; her mom is the one who does the scholastic group,” Wilson said.

And Coach Shea’s daughter, Madison, helps with the choreography.

Burnett, who is the cheer coordinator “lives at the field,” Wilson said. “She’s there all of the time for every football cheer.”

The cheer squad practices for hours each week, between March and December. They travel to competitions and cheer at Pop Warner football games.

It gives the girls a chance to get away from their electronics and get some exercise, Wilson said. It also helps them to become more disciplined, to develop friendships, and, of course, have fun, she said.

And, as a volunteer, she cherishes the extra time she’s able to spend with her daughter.

The sudden death of 11-year-old Jaidyn Bolduc hit home with the parents of the South Pasco Predators’ cheer squad, Wilson said.

“We all got very emotional about that when we found out because our girls are the same age, and to think of one of them not being with us,” her voice trailed off, as she paused, to regain her composure.

South Pasco Predators Pee Wee squad
Head Coach: Sabrina Shea
Assistant Coach: Kristin Lawler
Team Mom: Billie Jo Wilson
Junior Coach: Shae-Lynn Gibbs
Student Demo: Madison Shea

Cheer squad
Abi Redman
Addison Piltaver
Akilah Polanco
Alex Nieves
Allison Harris
Avery Alberger
Brielle Jordon
Chloe Randazzo
Chloe Baron
Cora Parks
Ella Cole
Ella Haywood
Emily Kunze
Isabella Wilson
Jasmine Mitchell
Kailynn Fuqua
Kaitlyn Bahro
Kaitlyn Edwards
Kaydence Cummings
Leah Fletcher
Leah Garner
Lily Strickland
Lilianna Haywood
Lily Kate Laban
Madison Rollyson
Kenzie Shaw
Payton Lawler
Sarah Nubel

South Pasco Predators
South Pasco Predators strives to provide a fun, memorable experience for every athlete who walks on to the program’s field. The team is a Land O’ Lakes-area organization that serves about 500 cheerleaders and football players. All coaches undergo background checks and also are trained to ensure that each athlete has a safe experience within the program. South Pasco Predators works to maintain a family environment where efforts are made to help every child feel at home while taking part in the program. All staff are volunteers.

South Pasco Predators cheer teams are: Challengers, Petites, Tiny Mites, Mighty Mite, Junior Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Junior Varsity and Varsity.

Registrations are underway now. To find out more, email .

South Pasco Predators is part of the Pop Warner organization. For more information, visit PopWarner.com.

South Pasco Predator, National Championship results

  • Varsity Pee Wee 2 Large, national champion
  • Junior Pee Wee 2 Medium, national champion
  • Pee Wee Large, national champion
  • Junior Pee Wee South Pasco Cheer Large, national champion
  • Junio Pee Wee Show Cheer, Level 1, national champion
  • Tiny Mite Gold, second place
  • Varsity Large, fifth place

Published January 26, 2022

Divided board rejects Seven Oaks’ apartments

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The Pasco County Commission has denied a request that would have allowed 320 apartments and 20,000 square of commercial office/retail use in Seven Oaks, a master-planned community in Wesley Chapel.

Commissioners voted 3-2 to reject the request for a modification to Seven Oaks’ master plan, which would have set the stage for a resort-style development by Stock Luxury Apartment Living, a developer based in Naples.

Commissioner Mike Moore made the motion to deny the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Ron Oakley. Commissioner Jack Mariano also voted against the proposal.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick disagreed with their colleagues, voting against Moore’s motion.

The action followed hours of public testimony.

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

He told county board members: “We do high-quality, large amenity, lifestyle-driven projects.”

Gelder said plans called for a resort-style pool, multi-story buildings with commercial uses on the first floor, a dog park, a parking garage and angled street parking for customers using the shops.

His presentation included photographs, to give commissioners an idea of what to expect. He also mentioned that developments his company has done include amenities such as golf simulators, fitness centers, a catering kitchen, spin room, outdoor cabanas and gaming.

“We want to bring a beautiful project here to Pasco,” he said. “We feel like this is the right project and right location.”

Seven Oaks residents disagreed.

Resident Barbara Foss said she doesn’t oppose additional apartments in Seven Oaks, but objects to the location of the proposed project.

“We do have a place that is zoned for apartments. It’s on the north end of our property. There are several streets there — for entering and existing our subdivision,” Foss said.

Zachary Besso, another opponent, questioned the need: “We have plenty of luxury apartments in Pasco County. Do we really need more?”

Seven Oaks resident Michael Garbutt told commissioners: “There are many reasons to oppose this change to the master plan.”

One primary problem would be traffic impacts, he said.

“It is easy to look at the roads and conclude generically that they’re adequate for the new residents, but when you have local knowledge of how the roads are actually used, then you see there will be a problem.

“As residents, we’ve learned how to get in and out of our subdivision as efficiently as possible. “So, we can foresee how 500 new residents are likely to use the roads. Do we really want to add more traffic? I don’t think so.”

Jon Tomsu, representing the Seven Oaks Resident Council, presented documents containing 1,220 signatures of opposition to the proposed development.

“It just doesn’t fit,” Tomsu said.

He also questioned the economic formula that was used by the county planning staff as part of its recommendation for approval.

Initially, economic impact calculations were based on 86,000 square feet of commercial retail/office as compared to 320 apartments. An updated comparison was based on 60,000 square feet of commercial office/retail, compared to 320 apartments and 20,000 square feet of commercial office/retail.

“We keep changing the playing field,” Tomsu complained.

The new formula bothered Mariano, too.

The commissioner put it this way: “The scales were tipped in the statistics here, to make the mixed use look better than what the commercial retail would have been, by changing that input.”

Opponents had plenty to say
Neighbors also raised issues about the proposed parking garage. One said it would be an eyesore; another said it would pose security risks. Still others questioned if the plan had adequate parking and surmised that overflow could end up using the Wesley Chapel Sam’s Club parking lot, which they said would be unfair for that business.

Commissioner Oakley said the size of the development was too big for the proposed site. He also voiced concerns about potential safety hazards.

In calling for denial, Moore said “the staff and the applicant both failed to conduct any service consumption cost analysis, therefore the staff and the applicant failed to demonstrate that the project will contribute more to the county in revenue than it will consume in services.”

He also noted the conversion “will place additional unplanned and unmitigated demands on the school, library and park systems.”

Existing entitlements for office or retail would not create those demands, Moore said.

Plus, Moore said, converting the land’s use would be contrary to the legitimate public policy of preserving land for employment-generating uses.

Starkey, however, voiced discomfort with voting down the request.

“I think it’s being denied for different reasons. We heard that people thought it’s going to be ugly. People think we don’t need any more apartments,” Starkey said.

She thinks Pasco needs more apartments — not fewer — and she thinks locating apartments on the edge of a master-planned development is appropriate.

“To put multifamily on a corner like (State Road) 56, where transit is going to be, I think that’s where it needs to be.

“We have said that we want vertical mixed use. I think that’s a great use of our limited space.

The county has a process that allows consideration for a swap of uses within a master-planned unit development — based on using a land use equivalency matrix (LUEM), which ensures that the impacts are equivalent.

Attorney Joel Tew said the county has granted 15 other requests to convert uses within Seven Oaks.

That drew Fitzpatrick’s attention: “What concerns me is that in the past 15 LUEM conversions, not one had been disputed or denied.”

Tew also noted that while his client had to undergo a public hearing process, another applicant  — represented by attorney Barbara Wilhite — received an administrative approval on a similar request.

He also said the reception to his client’s request would have been different, if it had been in a different location.

“Under normal circumstances, you would have given them a hug and a kiss and thanked them for coming to your fair county,” Tew said.

The attorney said that if the proposed request “wasn’t exactly where it is (in Seven Oaks)” that the board “would recognize this as the poster child for the type of vertical mixed-use development that you have begged my client and other development clients to bring to Pasco County for you.”

Moore lives in Seven Oaks and championed the county’s current temporary moratorium on new applications for multi-family development.

Published January 19, 2022

Planning board recommends RV resort in rural area

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Residents in rural northeast Pasco County rallied against the proposed North Pasco RV Resort , but were unable to persuade the county’s planning board to recommend denial.

The Pasco County Commission recommended approval of a land use change and a rezoning, which would clear the way for the 550-space RV resort. The issue now goes before the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

The proposed 132-acre site borders Interstate 75, east of Lake Iola Road and south of Blanton Road. It is within the county’s Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay Area.

That overlay is intended to protect the character of the rural landscape, preserve scenic views and vistas, and ensure that on-site development is compatible with the character of the surrounding area, according to the county ordinance that established the district.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite represented the applicants, VCARE Consultants LLC, during the planning board’s Jan. 6 public hearings for the zoning and land use requests.

VCARE also hired Frances Chandler Marino, who wrote the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay Area plan, to review the proposed plan for compliance with the rural plan. The private professional planner testified that the proposed plan is consistent with policies within the rural overlay district.

Marino outlined specific conditions of approval that address provisions in the rural plan.

Wilhite told the planning board that numerous concerns were raised about the proposed plan during the initial neighborhood meeting in September 2019.

In response, she said, “we slowed down the project.

“We really listened to the concerns and I feel we addressed every one of them, except for folks that are just going to say, ‘We don’t want this. We don’t want this project,’” Wilhite said.

The original request called for 675 spaces; the new request calls for a maximum of 550.

The plan also includes a resort lodge and clubhouse facilities.

“We hired a landscape architect,” Wilhite said.

“We designed a specific, regulatory corridor buffer along Lake Iola Road, which is a rural scenic road. Our berm along Lake Iola Road exceeds the Northeast Pasco land development code requirements.

“We took an extra step, which I’ve never seen done before. We did an internal master landscape and tree plan,” she added.

A topographical survey will be done and conditions addressed how the site will be graded, consistent with Northeast Rural Pasco policies, she said. No mining will be allowed on the site, she added.

The development also will have its own wastewater treatment plant.

The conditions are part of the approval for the master-planned unit development, meaning any deviations would require the applicant to go back through the regulatory process, Wilhite said.

Marino told the planning board: “It is a commercial recreation use, a use that’s generally compatible in rural areas. The intensity was compatible, because of the adjacency to the interstate. That level of intensity might not be appropriate (in) other locations, but next to the interstate, it is.”

But opponents raised numerous issues.

Paul Boetcher cited concerns about potential ill effects from runoff on Lake Moody.

Gail Wright questioned where the water will come from for the new development.

“If they go to full capacity of 550, that’s 1,100 people flushing toilets. That’s 1,100 people taking showers,” she said.

Wright’s husband, Carl, objected to the proposed RV resort: “That’s commercial, in my book, and I don’t think that an RV park has any business being in the rural part of Pasco.”

Neighbors also raised questions about impacts on the area’s traffic and about the potential for RVs to be stacked on exterior roads, waiting to enter the resort.

Several residents submitted the same email, which notes the overlay district “was specifically set aside to preserve the rural nature of this unique area of Florida, to preserve the dark skies, to maintain unique viewsheds, minimize sound pollution, and protect fragile, sensitive lands.”

Lisa Moretti, chairwoman of the advisory committee empaneled to offer recommendations on commercial development in the rural area, asked the planning board to delay its decision until the committee could finish its work.

(The Pasco County Commission subsequently disbanded that board at its Jan. 11 meeting, after County Commissioner Ron Oakley complained it was not working the way it was intended.)

While residents voiced objections to the proposed RV resort, planning board members expressed support.

“Although this is in the northeast rural area, it’s an isolated area that uses a lot of the I-75 frontage. It’s in an area that has an RV park right down the street. I think this is miles above and beyond what the adjacent RV park is. That’s why I’m in favor of this,” said planning board member Jaime Girardi.

Planning board member Chris Poole said he appreciated the level of effort that Wilhite and her team put into the planning of this project.

Chairman Charles Grey said Marino’s testimony was persuasive, adding, “we have a responsibility to follow the rule of the law.”

Board member Peter Hanzel said ultimately, this project “may enhance the community, as a whole. It will bring folks to the county, will bring folks to a beautiful area of Pasco County.”

But Planning Commissioner Richard Tonello disagreed.

“This is the rural area. I think the people who live there wanted it to be that way. When we think of rural, we think of 1-acre sites, 5-acre sites, 10-acre sites,” he said.

Approval of this request, he said, “sets something in motion, as sort of a precedent.

“If commercial wants to be done, it can be done at appropriate places,” Tonello said. “This is just not the right place.”

Published January 19, 2022

Pasco county board disbands rural advisory committee

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The Pasco County Commission has disbanded the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee.

The committee was formed to develop recommendations and guidelines for commercial development within the Northeast Rural Overlay District.

The advisory panel was approved by the Pasco County Commission and was empaneled by Commissioner Ron Oakley — whose district includes the area — and the Pasco County Planning and Development Department.

At the county board’s Jan. 11 meeting, Oakley told his colleagues that the chairwoman of the advisory committee had appeared to speak at a Pasco County Planning Commission, during a case involving a proposed RV resort.

Lisa Moretti, the chairwoman of the advisory committee, asked the planning board to delay the RV park request until after the advisory committee completed its recommendations.

Oakley said: “I don’t think anyone directed her to do so (speak at the planning commission meeting in her advisory panel role), but she did.

“I don’t think that’s the way that this advisory committee should work,” Oakley said.

He then expressed frustration about the way the advisory committee had been operating.

“To let you know, we’ve had three or four meetings. We haven’t gotten a lot of good advice from this committee —  to say the least —  to be able to advise you on much of anything.

“Most of the answers from it (the committee) are negative, are ‘No, we can’t do that. We don’t want to do that. We don’t want traffic down County Road 41.’

“That’s an arterial road (County Road 41) from the Interstate (75) to Dade City. We have to have traffic on that.

“But they’ve said ‘No’ to that. They don’t want any development around that intersection, which is a major intersection of Pasco County, as you come from the north, down (Interstate) 75.

“They don’t want anything there.

“I’m not getting advice. I’m getting negative, Nos, about a lot of things,” Oakley said.

When the committee began, Oakley said he told panel members he didn’t expect them to say yes to everything, but also didn’t expect them to say no to everything.

He said he told them: “You’re an advisory committee. I want your advice about how things should look in this area, or how you would like to see it look, for the best of all of the citizens.

“Closing the whole area off just doesn’t work,” Oakley said.

Commissioner Mike Moore noted: “We have a planning commission that gives recommendations to the board when it comes to items we’re actually going to vote on. I think the last thing you want to see in an advisory role, or an advisory committee, is debating on projects that are going to come in front of us for a vote.”

Moore then told Oakley: “Listen, if you’re asking this board — I don’t know if you are, or not — to do away with it, I’m on your side, man. It’s your call. If you want to be done with it and move on, be done with it.”

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey asked: “Is that what you’re thinking?

“We have the rural protection ordinance for residential and we do not have the rural protection ordinance for commercial.

“I thought you were working on the commercial rural protection ordinance because we do need to address that,” Starkey said.

Oakley said the initial meetings were not productive, but they did give him an idea of how development should occur in a rural area.

“The only way you could have development of any significance in that area, you would have to have numbers. You’d have to have density.

“But I think there’s a way to have density, in areas you don’t see from a roadway,” Oakley said, through the use of trees, landscaping and setbacks.

“My vision has been — you ride down Trilby Road, which is a collector road, from Lacoochee/Trilby area, that goes all of the way to Blanton.

“You could ride down that road and maybe you’ll come a nice entrance into some property, but you don’t see any houses. You don’t see houses next to each other … because that setback has landscaping and things of that nature …”

At the same time, Oakley said: “It would allow property rights for those who have property in that area, to develop something.”

Moore told Oakley the panel could be disbanded, if it’s not taking the advisory role that was intended.

He continued: “We’re here to support you as a district commissioner,” adding, “if you don’t feel it’s a good use of your time or staff’s time, be done with it.”

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told the board that it’s their advisory committee, so the board can disband it, if so desires.

Typically, when the board forms an advisory committee, it is to review staff work or a consultant’s work product, Steinsnyder said.

Oakley made the motion to disband the committee “because we’re not getting anywhere with it.”

He said he would meet with staff to “try to come up with something better than what we were trying to do. It’s not working.”

Starkey said: “Let’s have staff and commissioner Oakley come back to us with ideas of how to move forward with the East Pasco Rural Protection Ordinance for the commercial because we need that.”

Later in the meeting, Steinsnyder asked the board to repeal Resolution 21-137 that established the rural advisory committee, which board members did.

Published January 19, 2022

Celebrating history, through art

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Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) kicked off 2022 and the first celebration of PHSC’s 50th anniversary, with the unveiling of the college’s first commissioned artwork.

Artist S. Blake Harrison explains the process he used to create a mural commissioned by Pasco-Hernando State College that incorporates much of Wesley Chapel’s history, during an unveiling of the piece at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. (Fred Bellet)

A reception and ribbon-cutting were held to showcase “Double Branch,” a 4 foot by 16 foot work, by artist S. Blake Harrison.

The program featured Dr. Timothy Beard, college president; Dr. Kevin O’ Farrell, provost at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch; Madonna Jervis Wise, a local historian and author; Dr. Lisa Richardson, executive director of the Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation; Andrew Beman-Cavallaro, associate director of libraries for the college; Janet Schalk, a PHSC librarian; and Harrison, the mural artist, who is based in Micanopy.

The college’s foundation paid for the mural, which honors the history and progress of Wesley Chapel, and commemorates PHSC’s golden anniversary.

Local historian Madonna Jervis Wise gave the audience a glimpse of Wesley Chapel’s colorful history. She included a photograph of Bruce B. Downs, the man for whom a now-heavily traveled road in Wesley Chapel was named. At one point, long before the community’s burgeoning growth, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard was known as ‘the road to nowhere.’

The 4 foot by 16 foot mural is believed to the largest mural in Wesley Chapel, O’ Farrell said, in his opening remarks at the Jan. 5 ceremony. It is displayed on a wall in the fourth-floor lobby of Building D, on the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd.

The provost said much research and thought went into the creation of the mural, which includes elements inspired by “Images of America: Wesley Chapel,” a local history book written by Madonna Jervis Wise.

The author said that unlike Zephyrhills and Dade City — which both have city governments, historic buildings and established town centers — Wesley Chapel offered no clear place for her to begin her research.

So, she relied on her background in genealogy to help her find descendants of families with deep roots in Wesley Chapel.

She began her quest by tracking down Marco Edward Stanley, of Gainesville, who arranged for Wise to interview his mother, 95-year-old Lillie Sapp Stanley.

That interview led to others, and ultimately Wise was able to tell the story of the community. Her book chronicles the various names the community has been known by through the years; its turpentine, lumber, moonshine and ranching industries; where the residents attended church, where they went to school and what they did for fun.

Dr. Kevin O’ Farrell, provost at the Porter Campus, discusses some of the elements featured in the mural. The work was done on plywood, using acrylic paint.

“We relied so heavily on Madonna’s work and her historical research, and that really inspired Blake to take those images and take those concepts and put together something that is as beautiful as this large, 4-by-16, piece of commissioned art,” O’ Farrell said.

Andrew Beman-Cavallaro, associate director of libraries, credited librarian Janet Schalk for working closely with Harrison on the project.

The artist expressed gratitude to Schalk for her guidance and to Wise for her work to preserve local history.

He said the mural’s panels reflect a narrative through art, featuring the area’s natural beauty, including trees and wildlife; its industry, including moonshine and trains; and its educational history, including the Porter campus and the college’s new Instructional Performing Arts Center, known as IPAC.

Dr. Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, a featured speaker during the celebration, praised the mural created by artist S. Blake Harrison, extolling its size, vibrant colors and its potential to be a source of inspiration for others.

The college president was enthusiastic about the result of Harrison’s work.

“This is just an awesome piece of art,” Beard said, marveling at its size, vibrant colors and ingenuity.

“This event is the very first event associated with our 50th anniversary, to be celebrated officially July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023,” Beard said.

“Certainly we’ve come a long way,” the college president continued, “from having classes in backrooms, storefronts and churches.

“At PHSC, we promote and support many innovative, worthwhile programs that advance health, science and technology. But most recently, we have also embraced the arts, as never before,” Beard said.

He pointed to the college’s newly opened IPAC, as an example, of that new commitment.

The facility is dedicated to instruction in the performing arts, including music, theater and dance, as well as instruction in the digital arts.

It, too, is located in Wesley Chapel — next to Cypress Creek High School and Cypress Creek Middle School — at 8657 Old Pasco Road.

Published January 19, 2022

Pasco plans to take a look at its transit services

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GoPasco — Pasco County’s public transit agency — is planning to take a look at the services it provides and whether it needs to change them.

Kurt Scheible, the county’s director of public transportation, discussed the upcoming study with the board of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The Pasco MPO board — made up of elected leaders of Pasco County, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey — is the transportation planning agency for the county.

Scheible said a study, which will be awarded based on a request for proposals, will aim at helping the county deliver the services based on customer needs and demand.

Essentially, he said, the question is: “What can I do to make it better for people in Pasco County go get to where they want to — easy? How do I help them overcome transportation barriers to get to where they need to go?

“I don’t care what the destination is. That’s what we’re looking for. Nothing is off the table,” Scheible said.”

Some ideas he would like to explore, include:

  • Can we get to some of the beautiful sporting complexes?
  • Is there a way we can serve Saint Leo University better?
  • What about providing a shuttle during the holidays between The Shops at Wiregrass and Tampa Premium Outlets? That way, motorists could park at one place, and go back and forth to shop and dine.

He told MPO board members that he wants a robust public participation process and told the board that its members will have the chance to weigh in on the issues.

Pasco County plans to study its transit services, with the aim of finding ways to get as many people as possible to where they need or want to go. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“We’re looking at every aspect of the county,” he said, and the goal is to let the citizens and the MPO board have a significant impact on where the transit agency is going.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez welcomes the opportunity.

“I’m happy that we’re having this conversation,” she said. “I look forward to being included.”

Scheible said possible approaches could include a “mobility system on demand.”

He said he may be unfamiliar with such systems, but a consultant with experience of seeing transportation systems across the nation might be knowledgeable.

“I may have read about it in an article or heard about it from somebody, but they have actually helped design it somewhere across the country,” he said. “Maybe they can put something in place like that.”

Scheible made it clear: “I’m not saying what needs to be done. The citizens, the stakeholders, are telling me what needs to be done.”

The study should reveal the centers where people are traveling to, he said.

“We won’t be able to meet everybody’s needs, but we’ll come up with the best solution that we can do and move forward,” Scheible said.

Zephyrhills Councilman Lance Smith said that transit is likely to play a larger role, as increased traffic continues to slow movement for motorists across the county.

“It takes 20 or 30 minutes to get to a place where I used to be able to go to in 10 minutes,” Smith said.

“Every one of you knows how bad the traffic is, and it’s not going to get any better,” Smith said.

“So, I think people may be willing to ride public transport.

“I think we all need to work together on it.

“Thanks, Kurt, we’ll put on our thinking caps.” Smith added.

Bus shelters
On another issue, Scheible updated the board on the status of pursuing some new bus shelters across the county.

Jacksonville’s transit agency has a bus shelter contract that Pasco can use to speed up the process, Scheible said.

“The good news about this is that the company will actually be able to design what we would like to have done and they’ll tell us what the price is, and we can move forward from there,” Scheible said.

“So, we’ll be able to present some options to you and you’ll have some input on which shelters you’d like in your area.

“The other good news is that we actually got the concrete and the civil engineering contracts in place to be able to put the bus shelters in.

“We’ll pour the concrete and make sure that we meet all of the codes, and so forth,” Scheible said.

Published January 19, 2022

Pasco continues taking aim at unlicensed contractors

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The Pasco County Commission is continuing efforts to stymie unlicensed contracting activity in the county, through an agreement with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for investigative services.

The county board approved renewal of an agreement with the Sheriff’s Office pertaining to the county’s Unlicensed Contractor Initiative for its building construction services department.

The county board approved a contract for an amount not to exceed $202,548.72 with the sheriff’s office, resulting in an amount not to exceed $549,856.10 for the two-year contract term, based on the board’s agenda backup materials.

The approval was made as part of the board’s consent agenda, meaning it was passed as one of several items without discussion.

The contract calls for the services of two detective to investigate unlicensed contractor activity. The agreement also allows for four additional automatic one-year renewals on Oct. 1 of each subsequent year, contingent upon board approval.

The aim of the detectives’ work is to “protect the public from falling victim to unlicensed contractors,” according to materials in the board’s agenda packet.

In other action, the board:

  • Authorized the transmittal of a request for a proposed land use change on 188 acres at the northwest quadrant of State Road 52 and Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, for review by state agencies. The request calls for allowing up to 380 single-family homes and townhomes.
  • Adopted a change to the county’s comprehensive plan relating to airport protection zoning and land use compatibility.
  • Accepted the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) 2020-2023 Collective

Bargaining Agreement – IAFF Local 4420, Pasco County Professional Fire Fighter’s Union

  • Approved the purchase of playground equipment at the Sam Pasco Recreation Center playground by utilizing the OMNIA Partners Cooperative Contract No. R170301 with BCI Burke Company LLC (BCI), which is currently in effect. The purchase is not to exceed the amount of $137,457.53 in fiscal year 2022.
  • Approved a change order to extend time and provide $60,000 in additional funding for Starkey Ranch District Park Phase 2A, resulting in a new cumulative NTE contract amount of $4,054,628.37 for fiscal year 2022 and an extension of time by 30 days.
  • Approved $300,000 for the county’s Destination Management Organization, for additional marketing and research initiatives. The DMO’s revenues came in higher than anticipated in 2021 and these funds will allow it to provide more services to Pasco County during fiscal year 2022.

Published January 19, 2022

Beware of COVID-19 testing scams

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The Florida Department of Health-Pasco County has issued a warning for consumers to be on the lookout for COVID-19 testing scams.

In a news release, health department officials note: “Now more than ever, residents should rely on trusted sources of information for access to COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and future monoclonal antibody treatment locations in Pasco County. As demand for testing increases, so does the risk for potential scams.

“Residents are urged to be on the lookout for fraudulent COVID-19 products and practices, especially as it pertains to testing. Further, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seen unauthorized fraudulent test kits for COVID-19 being sold online,” the news release says.

Here are some helpful hints:

  • Rely on trusted sources of information for COVID-19 testing and locations
  • Check to make sure a COVID-19 testing location is legitimate

Be cautious about:

  • Unexpected phone calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies
  • Offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing on social media sites
  • Purchasing at-home testing kits from street vendors
  • Offers from individuals going door-to-door selling at-home testing kits
  • Links that seem questionable or are from unverified sources offering COVID-19 testing options.

Complaints about fraudulent activity related to COVID-19 testing can be reported to the State of Florida Attorney General at MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1-866-966-7226.

Complaints regarding laboratories associated with COVID-19 testing sites can be reported to the Agency for Health Care Administration by emailing .

If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it immediately to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General online at Tips.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-447-8477.

If you suspect illegal activity relating to FDA-regulated products, including fraudulent COVID-19 treatments, vaccines and tests, report it to the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations at AccessData.FDA.gov/Scripts/Email/OC/OCI/Contact.cfm.

Pasco County COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites:

TESTING
Gulf View Square Mall, 9409 U.S. 19, in Port Richey, seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit bit.ly/PascoCOVIDtesting for more information.

VACCINATIONS
COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the days listed below at these DOH-Pasco Clinics:

  • Tuesday and Thursday at 10841 Little Road, in New Port Richey
  • Monday and Friday at 13941 15th St., in Dade City

FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com.

 

Published January 19, 2022