The hotel industry in Florida is projected to end 2021 down nearly 61% or $5.3 billion in business travel revenue compared to 2019, according to a report released recently by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Kalibri Labs. Business travel is the hotel industry’s largest source of revenue and has been slow to return since the onset of the pandemic. Business travel includes corporate, group, government, and other commercial categories. While Florida has seen some return of business travel this year, full comparative revenue is not expected to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2024, according to a news release from the AHLA.
Local food banks supported
Darden Restaurants is helping 10 Feeding America food banks that serve communities of color, by providing refrigerated trucks. The food bank receiving the donation in the Tampa Bay region is Feeding Tampa Bay, according to the news release. The refrigerated trucks are 26 feet long and are capable of transporting 12,000 pounds of food on each trip, the release says. Each food bank also is receiving $26,000 to use for food and other needs. The only other food bank in Florida receiving a refrigerated truck is Feeding Northeast Florida, which is in Jacksonville.
She had just the right touch, and left a lasting impression
Some people know when to listen, know when to help and know when a great big hug is precisely what’s needed.
That was Kelly Boyd.
At least that’s how the people who knew Boyd describe the 52-year-old Dade City woman — who died unexpectedly.
Boyd was affectionately known around the school and community as “Miss Kelly.”
The Dade City woman worked for 31 years as the clinic assistant at Rodney B. Cox Elementary School, at 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City.
Her unexpected death on July 8 was met by disbelief and sadness.
Miriam Cosme, a data entry operator at the Dade City school, said Miss Kelly treated every child who came through her clinic as if he or she was her own. She knew the particular needs of individual children, Cosme said.
If a family needed an extra bag of food for the weekend, or if a child or a child’s brother or sister needed a pair of shoes, Miss Kelly met that need.
“She was our go-to person if we needed to find out anything about a kid or a family,” added Cosme, who knew Miss Kelly for 15 years. “If she didn’t have the answer, she would be on the phone making contact with parents to find out answers.”
Karen Lamar, the school’s bookkeeper, said she met Miss Kelly six years ago and they became instant friends.
“Kelly was the best hugger; I know the kids and adults loved how she would squeeze you and make everything OK,” Lamar said.
She made sure that kids were fed, clothed and that they had the things they needed.
She was uber-connected throughout the school and the community, her friends say.
“Kelly was a walking directory for our school family. Whenever you needed a phone number or to get in touch with a family, she knew that number, and knew where they lived and most of the family members,” Lamar said.
Principal Karen Natal said people gravitated to Miss Kelly because they knew she genuinely cared.
She had a remarkable memory, Natal said, noting Miss Kelly recalled not only names and faces, she also remembered people’s stories.
She would connect with them and check in on them, Natal said.
“She was just a safe person to talk to,” the principal added.
Even after students left Cox to go on to middle and high school, they would drop by the elementary school to talk with Miss Kelly.
Despite the integral role she played in many people’s lives and the extra hours she voluntarily gave to address others’ needs, Miss Kelly was not one to call attention to her good works or seek any kind of credit for what she did, Natal said.
But the community knew.
And, when the school posted news of Miss Kelly’s death on its Facebook page, dozens responded with posts— many mentioning her kindness and compassion.
Courtney Wynn Loss couldn’t quite take it in.
“What!!! OMG this is so sad and heartbreaking,” she posted. “I’ve known Miss Kelly for years. She was/is so amazing and my daughter loved her.”
The clinic assistant’s loved ones organized a candlelight vigil at the school, and the principal asked the Pasco County School Board to rename Building No. 19 on Cox’s campus as the Kelly Boyd Center.
The building seemed a fitting choice, since Miss Kelly worked there for years and the building is used to offer both student and community services, Natal said.
In the letter to the school board, Natal described Miss Kelly’s contributions.
She served as community liaison for the Thomas Promise food program, she coordinated the East Pasco Toys for Tots and she collaborated with the community on the school’s clothes closet.
Beyond providing practical help, she was encouraging.
After Natal finished addressing the school board, at its Oct. 5 meeting, Allen Altman, the school board’s chairman said he would be honored to step outside of his role as chairman, so he could make the motion to grant the request.
“I have been volunteering at that school for decades, and as a board member, I’ve been there 15 years, and I can absolutely verify everything that you said about Miss Kelly,” Altman said to Natal.
“She meant the world to that school and it meant a bunch to her, too,” Altman said.
Published October 13, 2021
Moffitt and Pasco Schools have big plans
Pasco County Schools and Moffitt Cancer Center envision great possibilities of working together when the school district builds its planned 6-12 magnet STEAM school on land near Moffitt’s planned campus in Land O’ Lakes.
Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, recently updated the school board about a meeting between school district and Moffitt staff members.
“We had our first real, live, meeting with the administrative staff of Moffitt Cancer Center. And, it went really very, very well,” Gadd told the school board on Oct. 5.
“On the Angeline property, as the crow flies, is kind of back behind Land O’ Lakes High School, Moffitt is putting in a hospital and a big research center, and we have a school right across the street,” Gadd said.
“That school, we’ll start construction on that, I think, about mid-October. We’ll probably be the first building up out there. And, we are currently working with Moffitt and Pasco-Hernando State College to develop a very unique school setting.”
The campus will serve students in grades six through 12.
“More than likely, the upper classmen will have an opportunity to interact in the Moffitt hospital, with Moffitt researchers; (and) participate in apprentice programs and internships.
“It would be something that is very unique to the Pasco school system,” Gadd said, noting that Dr. Kim Moore, assistant superintendent who oversees the district’s career and technical programs, was at the meeting, as well as Dr. Monica Ilse, assistant superintendent for high schools, and Steve Hegarty, public information officer.
“We had a very, very positive reception from the Moffitt folks,” Gadd said.
In remarks to her school board colleagues, Cynthia Armstrong said it’s exciting “that we’re going to have a magnet school right next to their campus, which is going to be huge. So, we’re very excited about that.”
That meeting was a follow-up to a previous session between Gadd and Dr. Patrick Hwu, president and CEO of Moffitt.
Gadd previously briefed school board members about his meeting with Hwu.
During that briefing, Gadd told board members that he’d “heard through the grapevine that he (Hwu) was a big supporter of education, public education.”
But Gadd added: “My meeting with him was beyond expectations. I went there with a few ideas and he had hundreds of ideas about how our new STEM magnet in the Angeline area could be a partner with Moffitt.”
Gadd noted: “We’d have to work through all kinds of legal issues, as he and I discussed, but having students actually sit in, participate in procedures, surgeries, internships. Having graduate students and doctors actually come to the school building and teach courses and work with us, district-wide on virtual programs for kids, who are in nursing programs, health programs, biomedical engineering and those kinds of things.
“He was exuberant, and we made arrangements to connect my staff with his staff. I am really looking forward to the potential we have to work with Moffitt,” Gadd said.
Funding for the construction of the district’s planned 6-12 school in Land O’ Lakes was approved on Oct. 5, when the school board adjourned, then reconvened as the Pasco County School Board Leasing Corporation to approve $85 million in financing that will pay for the lease‐purchase financing of that school, and projects Hudson and Gulf high schools.
The new Angeline mixed-use community — which is being billed as a wellness-themed community — will be developed on thousands of acres of land, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52.
Moffitt plans to create a massive research and corporate innovation district.
Site entitlements for Moffitt’s project, which encompass 24 million square feet, include plans for a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multiyear, multiphase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.
The school district’s new school in Angeline will be designed for 1,694 student stations, which at 90% capacity translates to about 1,530 students, according to a previous report in The Laker/Lutz News.
The school board hired Ajax Building Company at its Sept. 15, 2020 meeting to do pre-construction work at the 6-12 STEAM school site.
The school is planned on an 18.8-acre site within Angeline, south of State Road 52, north of the future Ridge Road extension and west of Sunlake Boulevard, according to Ajax’s website.
“Campus plans include a one-story administration area, a one-story dining and multipurpose area with a full kitchen, two-story media, band and art areas, and a four-story classroom wing, with all areas connected by a one-story and two-story atrium/central corridor, the website post says.
The site development also includes “walkway canopies, aluminum shade system, fencing, walking trail, sidewalks, chiller/generator plan, site lighting, underground utilities, landscaping and irrigation,” according to information posted by Ajax.
Harvard Jolly is the architect on the school district project.
Published October 13, 2021
Zephyrhills woman is showcased on the TODAY show
When Shannon Brennan heard the promo for “Flip your Fall,” a new TODAY Show segment, she immediately knew who to nominate.
The show was looking to shine the spotlight on someone who goes out of their way for others, and Shannon knew that her co-worker Leondra Thomas-Robinson was perfect for that honor.
So, Shannon, who happened to be in Syracuse, New York, visiting her mother, immediately filled out a nomination on TODAY’s website.
And, the television show responded quickly, choosing Leondra, to be featured in the segment.
Behind the scenes, the TODAY team conspired with Shannon and her boss, Betsy Strickland, to pull off the surprise.
As Leondra was going about an apparently normal Sept. 16 morning at the Postal Authority in Zephyrhills, Betsy took a call in the back room.
Moments later, Betsy came out, holding her cellphone up in the air, while two voices were talking to Leondra.
Leondra didn’t have a clue what was going on.
It became clear soon enough.
“Leondra, it’s Hoda (Kotb) and Jenna (Bush).
“We’re from the TODAY show. We know you’re working usually during this hour, but we have a live television show that you’re on, right now,” Hoda said, asking Leondra if it was OK to record her.
“Here’s what happened,” Hoda continued. “Your boss and your co-worker, Shannon, nominated you for a Flip your Fall.
“Basically what this is, is we are honoring you because you are so nice. You are so kind to all of the people you meet. So, we thought, you know, maybe it’s a good time that someone said ‘Thank you’ and showed you appreciation.”
Jenna told Leondra that her co-workers said “you make coming to work a delight — that your positivity, your energy — makes everybody around you feel great.
Hoda: “First we just want to say ‘Thank you.’”
Then she asked Leondra: “How do you feel in this moment?”
Leondra responded: “I don’t even know,” tearing up with emotion.
Then, Jenna asked: “Betsy, do you have something?”
Betsy responded: “I do. I have flowers for you (Leondra) and I have some chocolates for you,” handing them to her. Leondra laughed with delight.
Then Hoda said, “Hey Leondra, we like flowers and we liked chocolates, but we do have one more thing for you.”
Then Jenna said: “You know what we have for you? The Terranea Resort is treating you and a guest to three nights, with airfare, in Ranchos Pallos Verde in Southern California. Luxury amenities. Sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.”
Hoda added: “Leondra, it’s the vacation you have deserved for a long time.
“What do you think?”
Leondra answered: “I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much.”
It was a big moment for Leondra, and for Betsy and Shannon, too — because her friends were equally thrilled she had been chosen to be showcased.
All three are women of faith and all three believe that God had a hand in Leondra’s selection.
For her part, Shannon said if she hadn’t been visiting her mom, she wouldn’t have been watching the show and would not have nominated Leondra.
And, Leondra said she never would have been working at Postal Authority, in the first place, without divine intervention.
She explained that before she began working there she was employed at a bread store that closed down due to COVID.
A bread store customer asked her what she was going to do.
Leondra responded: “I’m going to trust in God. He’s always taken good care of me. He will continue.”
Long story short, the customer — who turned out to be Betsy’s acupuncturist — got involved and Leondra wound up going to work for Betsy.
That, Leondra said, was God.
The store, at 32789 Eiland Blvd., in Zephyrhills, doesn’t just ship packages. It has mailbox rentals, provides notary services, shreds documents, handles certified mail, completes fingerprinting and provides a variety of other services.
People arriving there are often in some sort of transition.
“We have two or three criers a week,” Shannon said. “We fax a lot of stuff, so there’s a lot of death certificates going out. We have a lot of Powers of Attorney that we notarize, and wills and end-of-life instructions, and a lot of times when we’re shipping, we’re shipping people’s valuables that they pack up from their parents’ house, who just passed away.
“They’re really at a crossroads.
“It’s hard for them, so it just can’t be business as usual. It’s not business as usual,” Shannon said.
Leondra tunes into those needs and responds, her co-workers said.
The store has lots of repeat customers, too.
Leondra remembers their names and faces, and details of their story, Shannon said.
“I think it’s a great avenue to minister to people,” Leondra said.
“They come in. They’re sending packages,” Leondra said. “But sometimes they just need a word of encouragement. Or, they need a smile. Or, they just need somebody to reassure them. ‘Yeah, you’re going through something right now, but it’s not the end of the world, and you’re not alone.
“I hear everything that people say, but I also hear what they don’t say,” said Leondra, who is taking her mother along for her resort vacation.
Published October 13, 2021
Pasco School Board wants in on redistricting talks
Pasco County is in the midst of its redistricting process and the school board is interested in being involved.
On Oct. 5, the school board asked its attorney, Dennis Alfonso, to reach out to the county to let them know of their interest.
The request came after Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent, said he’d had some discussions with members of the Pasco County Commission and learned “they are actively involved in redrawing those boundaries.”
Redistricting occurs every 10 years, following the completion of the United States decennial census.
Changes to district maps are made based on changes to the population, but the way the lines are drawn in redistricting can have a significant influence regarding whom is elected to a particular office. So, those interested in the political process tend to keep a close eye on redistricting.
When the redistricting issue surfaced at the school board meeting, Alfonso noted: “Just to remind the board that we’re not bound by whatever redistricting is done by the county, but as a historical practice, it’s been practical for the board to just accept those districts.
“It’s not required by law, so the board, could in fact, draw its own boundaries, if it chose to do that.
“Either way, I’ll at least reach out and speak with the county attorney’s office to say, ‘Hey, we’re aware of this and we want to know whether or not we’re invited to participate in the discussions,’” Alfonso said.
School board chairman Allen Altman responded: “We went through that process 10 years ago. We cooperated together,” and noted that historically that’s been the case.
Altman told Alfonso: “If you would reach out to them on behalf of the board, let them know that we’d like to see what they are working on and participate in the process.
“My understanding is that they are the recipient of the (U.S. Census) information, and that it flows through them. And, we have heard nothing, so communication would be appreciated,” Altman said.
School board member Alison Crumbley added: “As I recall, 10 years ago, we had a co-meeting with them.”
Altman responded: “We did. So, we will go to work on that.”
Superintendent Kurt Browning announced that the district just completed its reaccreditation process, which occurs every five years.
It will be receiving the full report in coming weeks, but the district has been informed that it will recommend a continued system accreditation, Browning said.
“It is all about continuous improvement, how we become a better district,” he added.
In his remarks to the school board, Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, noted that negotiations continue between the union and the district.
“We are hoping to be able to finalize the $1,000 payments to those employees who are not covered by the state (Gov. Ron DeSantis’ COVID-19 bonus plan) very soon,” Peace said.
The union also hopes that negotiations will include how the district can move toward “addressing longtime teachers and raising the ceiling on teacher salaries, as these are the leaders and role models we desire to keep in front of our students.”
The union also is interested in lessening the amount of required paperwork.
“Let’s work together to streamline data where we can,” Peace said.
On another topic, the board approved additional spending for extra instructional time to help close achievement gaps for students and to help support students who are below grade level.
In keeping with the grant requirements, the program targets students who are performing below grade level in one or more academic areas, according to agenda background materials.
The extra instruction will be provided from Oct. 18 to March 11.
The elementary extended school day program will focus on reading and mathematics. The secondary extended day program will focus on core content courses.
A total of 11,500 instructional hours will be devoted to elementary students; 2,628 for middle school students and 9,824 hours for high school students.
On another issue, board member Colleen Beaudoin reminded parents that the district’s school choice program, known as Pasco Pathways, will be hosting virtual expos soon to familiarize parents with the various education options available in the district.
The virtual expo for West Pasco is scheduled for Nov. 15 and the virtual expo for East Pasco is set for Nov. 18. Each expo is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Beaudoin said she wanted to draw attention to the expos, to help ensure parents will be able to take advantage of them.
“I frequently have parents say they didn’t know there were certain programs available at schools,” she said.
“I would like to encourage parents to please attend the (virtual) expos and then you’ll learn all of the things that are offered at the different schools, and then you make informed decisions for your students for the year.
“Pasco Pathways is talking about all of the different pathways that your students can take to go through our schools, pre-k through 12. That is school choice.
“That’s a chance to learn about the programs, the opportunities that we have.
“And then, the window to apply for school choice, is Jan. 6, 2022 to Jan. 20,2022, which will be here before you know,” Beaudoin said.
The expos provide a tremendous opportunity for parents to find out about their options, Altman agreed.
“They (school district staff) did an outstanding job putting it (expos) together last year,” Altman said.
The notification and acceptance window for the district’s choice program is Feb. 23 to March 4.
For more information, visit the school district’s website and then go to the Pasco Pathways page.
Published October 13, 2021
Traffic concerns cause rezoning delay
Saying they want to make sure they get the planning right, the Pasco County Planning Commission continued a rezoning request by Darrell A. and Karen Renner for a proposed 108-home development in Land O’ Lakes.
The request was continued until Nov. 4, when the planning board is scheduled to also consider another nearby rezoning request known as the Clark master-planned unit development (MPUD).
There’s a connection between the two because some right of way is available in the Clark MPUD that could help resolve a traffic circulation concern.
The Renners have requested a rezoning that would allow a new subdivision on 50 acres, on the south side of Bexley Road, about 1 mile west of U.S. 41 and Wisteria Loop.
The site presently is occupied by a residence and some agricultural pursuits, and its current zoning allows a maximum of 19 residences, according to the county’s planning staff.
County planners have recommended approval of the Renner’s request.
They said the proposed density is in keeping with the county’s future land use designations for the area. They also recommend a number of conditions. One condition requires improvements on Bexley Road and Wisteria Loop — to bring both of these substandard roads up to the county’s standards.
Under those conditions, the improvements would be required on Bexley Road, from the project driveway to Wisteria Loop, and on Wisteria Loop, from Bexley Road east to U.S. 41.
Area residents, however, urged the planning board to require a different solution to traffic issues.
They want a realignment of Wisteria Loop, which they say is part of the county’s vision road map.
Ray Gadd, who lives on Wisteria Loop, explained the current scenario to the planning board and what area residents would like to see.
“As it stands now, they (motorists) come to the curve in Wisteria (Loop), and they can go right to Tower (Road) or out to Wisteria Loop,” Gadd said.
If the realignment is constructed, the traffic flow would change.
“What it (vision road) accomplishes is that it essentially makes Bexley a continuous road. So that people coming from the applicant’s property, people coming from the Bexley property, or the future Angeline property would hit Bexley and have a continuous route, without a stop sign, until they hit (U.S.) 41, where they would make a right turn,” Gadd said.
Requiring that approach would be “effective planning,” Gadd contends.
If the planning commission wants to recommend approval of the Renner request, it should require the developer to acquire the right of way needed to make that improvement, Gadd said.
That land is within the proposed Clark MPUD.
Gadd is deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, but made it a point to announce that his appearance was as a private citizen, not in his official capacity.
Jeremy Couch, another Wisteria Road resident, told the planning board: “I feel that the staff’s conditions are completely inadequate for what they want to do.”
He characterized the Renner’s requested development as being “premature.”
Chris Nocco, Pasco County’s sheriff, also spoke at the public hearing. Like Gadd, he announced he was there as a private citizen, not in his official capacity.
Nocco urged the planning board to take a long view when considering the application.
“We want the community, Land O’ Lakes to grow, but to grow smartly,” Nocco said.
“Start those vision roads,” he said, because without them, existing communities are at risk.
“As we start building out Angeline (a massive development planned in Land O’ Lakes), let’s start seeing how it’s going to affect everything else because we don’t want to destroy the communities that are already in place,” Nocco said.
Matthew McClain, who lives on a 3.5-acre property just east of the proposed rezoning, raised issues regarding compatibility.
“My concern is, this will destroy that rural nature. Everything around it is large lots,” he said.
With the proposed rezoning, McClain said, “You’re going to cram 100-plus homes on 34 (upland) acres, in an area where there’s 3-, 5-, 10-acre plots of land. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Shelly Johnson, the attorney representing the applicant, said her client can make the improvements required in the conditions, or can complete the realignment that’s being proposed.
But it can’t do both, she said.
Johnson asked the planning board to recommend approval and to send the request to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.
“From our perspective, we’re doing everything that we’re required to do that other developments do. When you have a road that’s substandard, you bring it up to standard, and that’s what my client agreed to do,” Johnson said.
“We are absolutely doing everything that we can, and that the code requires us to do, in terms of doing improvements to Wisteria Loop, which right now is our access. That’s our way in and out to (U.S.) 41.”
Planning Commission Chairman Charles Grey told his colleagues, the board needs to be sure “that when we do this, we do it right — we have the proper things in place.
“We can’t let an artificial date define how we handle these neighborhoods. I think traffic flow here, is extremely important,” Grey said.
Planning Commissioner Chris Poole agreed.
“We need to get the planning right on this. This is a particularly difficult area that we’re dealing with here,” Poole said.
After additional discussion, the board voted to continue the request until Nov. 4, the same day it is scheduled to consider the rezoning request for the Clark MPUD.
Published October 13, 2021
Should Pasco ban the retail sale of pet rabbits?
Pasco County outlawed the sale of kittens, puppies, cats and dogs from pet stores last year, and now animal advocates are urging the Pasco County Commission to halt the retail sale of pet rabbits, too.
A trio of speakers appeared before the county board during the board’s public comment portion of its Sept. 28 meeting.
Kurtis Marsh, of Holiday, explained the need for the change.
“Rabbits, if you don’t know, are the third most popular pet, which makes them the third most dumped pet,” Marsh said.
“This year alone, because of COVID-19, our small rescue has taken in 25 rabbits.
“Since the first of September, there have been a total of 66 rabbits we’ve been contacted about — either dumped, or someone is about to dump them. People call the rescues and threaten to dump the rabbits,” he said.
By prohibiting the sale of rabbits at pet stores, the number of rabbits being dumped on the street will decline, he said.
People are buying pet rabbits over the weekend and dumping them by Tuesday of the following week, he said.
“It’s just gotten that bad,” Marsh said.
Another speaker, Renee Rivard, reminded commissioners: “We worked with some of you on the dog chaining law for Pasco County.”
Now, the focus is on trying to end the sale of rabbits by pet stores, she said.
“We’re working on this issue with five counties that make up the greater Tampa Bay area: Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota. Not a single county-run animal shelter takes in pet rabbits. Only four nonprofit facilities accept pet rabbits,” she said.
She then recited some statistics for the county board.
“SPCA (the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in Manatee County took in 76 rabbits last year. The SPCA of Pinellas County took in 246 pet rabbits last year.
“We don’t have the statistics yet of the Humane Society of Pinellas, but we’ll get those to you.
“And the Humane Society in Tampa took in 190 pet rabbits, as of July this year.
“There are no facilities that accept pet rabbits in Pasco County,” she said.
A couple of good Samaritans began the Suncoast House Rabbit Rescue in 2019, Rivard said.
“Since then, they have taken in over 100 rabbits. They line up fosters to help them.
“They cannot keep up with the overwhelming number of calls they get from people who are turned away from the nonprofits because they have no space,” she said.
Just this month, the people who run the shelter said they had to turn away 60 rabbits.
“Pet rabbits are not native to Florida and they can easily die of temperatures below 50 degrees and above 80 degrees. They also do not know how to find food and shelter.
“Commissioners, we are asking for your help with this issue.
“As far as we can see, we have two options. Even provide a facility to take in unwanted rabbits, or ban the retail sale of rabbits.
“At the very least, consider a seasonal ban in March and April, to curb the impulse buys of rabbits for Easter,” Rivard said.
Nina Perino, of Palm Harbor, also asked the county board to address the issue.
“It’s a huge problem.
“People just leave them in their cages,” she said, where they get rained on.
“They’re diseased. Full of fleas. Anemic. Sometimes they can’t be saved,” she said.
“They don’t know how to find food, or shelter,” she said.
People will buy rabbits on an impulse and then dump them because they don’t know how to take care of them, or don’t want to take care of them.
“You can’t force people to be responsible,” Perino said, so, she added: “Don’t give them opportunity to buy rabbits.
“Their lives matter, and they only get one,” Perino said.
Published October 06, 2021
Pasco County extends multifamily moratorium
Pasco County has extended its temporary moratorium on new multifamily applications — which applies to a specific area of the county — until April 1, 2022.
The approved 185-day extension occurred after Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick called for receiving a report back on the issue within 90 days, but that request received no support from her board colleagues.
The county board initially approved the moratorium on May 4 — retroactive to April 1, 2021 — at the urging of Commissioner Mike Moore, who expressed concerns that his district was becoming oversaturated by multifamily development.
The temporary ban on new applications applies to an area contained in Moore’s District 2, essentially made up of Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes.
The area is generally defined as between State Road 52, on the north; U.S. 41, on the west; State Road 54 on the south; and, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, on the east. The boundary zigzags between Moore’s District 2 and Commission Chairman Ron Oakley’s District 1.
Initially, the temporary ban was set to expire on Sept. 28.
The temporary ban’s intent “is to study the potential oversaturation due to the existing and all possible future multifamily developments within the moratorium area and to determine whether additional regulations are necessary,” according to a resolution the board approved at its Sept. 28 meeting, to extend the moratorium.
The 185-day extension was recommended by county staff, to provide time that’s needed to complete the study, and to draft and adopt any needed regulations to implement the study’s results, says the resolution, included in the board’s agenda packet.
A housing market research firm is preparing the report and will present it to the board.
That report will cover the current quantity of multifamily dwelling unit entitlements and the current acreage of land zoned for multifamily dwelling units, including the acreage having potential for multifamily units upon approval of a conditional use.
It also will include the potential number of multifamily dwelling units available through existing land use equivalency matrices to accurately calculate and determine the true potential for the oversaturation of multifamily dwelling units within the moratorium area.
More time is needed to complete the report because of procedural delays, staff shortages, and complexities associated with accurate data collection, according to the resolution.
When Fitzpatrick called for a report back to the board within 90 days, Moore said achieving that would require pulling county staff off of other work that needs to be completed.
In granting the extension, the board agreed with the resolution’s finding that the action “is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, and that it advances a valid and important public purpose.”
No additional extensions will be granted, the resolution says.
Objections were raised to the moratorium when it was initially approved, but there was no public opposition before the board’s recent vote.
Published October 06, 2021
Pasco County adopts new budget
The Pasco County Commission has adopted a new budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, which includes an increase of $106 million in general fund expenditures.
“The county realized a 10.8% increase in taxable assessed values the past year,” said Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director.
Goehig identified some of items included in this year’s budget:
- A wage increase for board and constitutional officer employees
- Bringing Fire Station No. 3 and Fire Station No. 9 online. Adding a second rescue unit at Fire Rescue Station 30
- Adding a veterans service officer
- Adding positions in the planning and zoning divisions
- Reaching the recommended reserve level of 16.7% of budgeted expenditures.
Not on that list, however, was full funding for a request by Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, who is Pasco County’s clerk and comptroller.
In previous discussions, the clerk said her office has been covering expenses, which, by law, are the obligation of the county.
In essence, she said her office has been subsidizing the county.
The clerk maintains she is just asking for what she is entitled to, by state law.
During the public comment portion of the hearing, three speakers urged the county board to step up to cover those costs.
The county has agreed to provide the funding, but only 40% of it this year.
In previous discussions, County Administrator Dan Biles said paying the full amount in a single year is too big of an ask.
During the budget hearing, however, Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick made a motion calling upon the county to cover the entire cost.
Her motion failed, for lack of a second.
In action earlier in the day, the county board:
- Approved a request by Pasco County Fire Rescue for emergency authorization to purchase $627,481 worth of equipment to enable the department’s personnel to safely respond to needs of COVID-19 patients. Items include patient lifts, infection control airway bags, specialized aerosolized nebulizers, safety goggles and others. The expenditures will be paid for with Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.
- Approved $865,000 for the purchase of library books, resource subscriptions and other items by Pasco County Libraries for fiscal year 2022.
- Held the first reading on a change to the land development code relating to solar facilities, in response to state legislation. Under the change, solar facilities shall be allowed as a principal use in all agricultural zoning categories and as a special exceptions use in commercial/light manufacturing, light industrial and general industrial categories. The second and final hearing is scheduled for Oct. 12.
- Approved an amendment to the county’s land development code to change the planned alignment for Tyndall Road, in the Villages of Pasadena Hills, and to make changes relative to administrative review fees in the special planning area.
- Approved renaming water and wastewater service impact fees to instead call them connection fees. At the same time, the board approved increasing the charges associated with the connection fees and moving the fee schedule out of the land development code. The new connection fees call for an increase of $499, phased in over four years, for water and sewer connections; and an increase of $475, also phased in over four years, for water, sewer and reclaimed water connections. The last time the rates were modified was 2006.
Published October 06, 2021
