The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kathy Steele

Homestead exemption could increase

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A property tax savings could be on its way to Florida homeowners, if a statewide referendum in 2018 boosts homestead exemptions to a total of $75,000.

But, what could be tax relief to homeowners could pose financial challenges for local governments.

State Sen. Tom Lee

If approved, homeowners can add another $25,000 to the existing standard of $50,000 (approved by voters in 2008) for homestead exemption on a primary residence. The added bonus would take effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

Statewide estimates suggest that property tax collections could drop between $654 million and $700 million annually.

Locally, Pasco County could lose as much as $13 million, according to Pasco County Property Appraiser Gary Joiner.

About 100,000 of the county’s more than 260,000 parcels have a homestead exemption. Of those, about 60,000 would qualify for the increased exemption, he said.

“I don’t think that there is any doubt it’s going to pass,” Joiner said. “It’s going to be tough for the county and the commissioners to decide what they are going to have to do.”

The impact of lost revenues would be felt starting in 2019.

To close financial holes in budgets, other revenue sources could be sought, including sales taxes, increased millage rates and user fees. Or, governments may have to reduce staff or cut services.

Homeowners currently can receive a standard homestead exemption on the first $25,000 of assessed value of their primary residence. Another $25,000 can be deducted from assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000.

Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran

The proposed exemption increases the exemption on all taxes, other than school district taxes, by another $25,000 on assessed value greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000.

As an example, a house valued at $100,000 would be taxed as if it were worth $25,000. A $200,000 house would be taxed at an assessed value of $125,000.

State Rep. Richard Corcoran of Land O’ Lakes, who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and State Sen. Tom Lee of Brandon, pushed for the referendum and the larger exemption.

In a news release, Corcoran described the vote as a “big win for all Floridians” and “one of, if not the largest, tax cut in the history of Florida at $645 million.”

It allows families to pay bills and make payments on cars, health care and day care, according to Corcoran’s statement.

State Rep. Amber Mariano, State Rep. Danny Burgess and State Sen. Wilton Simpson voted for the referendum.

State Sen. Jack Latvala, of Clearwater, was the only member of the Tampa Bay delegation to vote no.

Published May 10, 2017

Business Digest 05/10/2017

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(Courtesy of MidFlorida)

MIDFLORIDA opens new branch
MIDFLORIDA Credit Union opened a new branch at 23551 State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. Bank officials had a grand opening April 28.

The teller desk layout operates with open counters and no partitions or visible office equipment. Operating hours include Saturday service, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. drive-through service, a drive-up ATM, and safe deposit boxes.

The credit union also offers business loans, mortgages and investments. Members can enjoy free coffee in the lobby every day, and free popcorn on Fridays.

MIDFLORIDA is a state-chartered financial institution with headquarters in Lakeland. The credit union serves 270,000 members with assets totaling more than $2.9 billion, according to a news release.

For information, visit MidFlorida.com.

Skin care products
Marilyn Boss is now working full time as a representative of Nerium International, selling the company’s line of skin care products. Boss began working for Nerium as a part-time representative in 2015, but decided in retirement to go full time. She offers one-on-ones, events and parties, and free samples to first time clients.

For information, call Boss at (813) 892-4004, email , or visit MarilynBoss.nerium.com.

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing opens
Ron Ierna has opened Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing at 4608 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The business is located by Bell Lake, on a site previously occupied by Bay Area Water Sports. Ierna bought the property in January, and renovated the existing 2,500-square-foot building and parking lot.

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing employs licensed technicians and craftsmen who specialize in designing, engineering, servicing, and installing HVAC systems and water heaters.

For information, call the office at (813) 444-9474, or visit LakesideComfortPros.com.

(Courtesy Newland Communities)

Epoch building apartments
Epoch Residential plans to build Lakeside at Bexley, a 300-unit apartment complex in eight buildings. The complex will have a clubhouse and a 1-acre park. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will be available with attached and detached garages.

Bexley opened in fall 2016 as a master-planned community being developed by Newland Communities in Land O’ Lakes, off State Road 54 by the Suncoast Parkway.

Single-family and townhomes, in the low $200,000 to more than $600,000, are available. There are 10 miles of multi-use, soft surface trails by Avid Trails, with a planned connection to the 42-mile Suncoast Trail.

Lakeside Walk is expected to open in fall 2018.

For information, visit BexleyFlorida.com, or call (813) 425-7555.

Possible 7-Elevens coming
7-Eleven representatives are eyeing two new locations in Pasco County. One would be at the southeast corner of Mansfield Boulevard and County Line Road in Wesley Chapel. The other would be at the northwest corner of Weeks Boulevard and Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Representatives were scheduled for pre-application meetings with county planners May 1 for the Wesley Chapel location and May 15 for the Land O’ Lakes location, according to county’s scheduling calendar.

Hispanic leaders lunch
The Hispanic Business Leaders of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a Hispanic Business Leaders Luncheon, open to all chamber members and guests, May 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Guest speaker will be Marlene Spalten, president and chief executive officer of Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

The cost is $20 for chamber members at the door, or $15, if preregistered by May 11. For non-members, the cost is $20, and they can preregister or pay at the door.

For information, email Ignacio Ruiz at .

 

Zephyrhills chamber honors citizens

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will recognize student citizens at its Chamber Citizen of the Month breakfast May 17 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at The Church at Chancey Road, at 34921 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 782-1913 or .

Pilot program to get tough on code violators

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a pilot program to more aggressively pursue the worst of the county’s code violators through the courts.

In coming months, the county attorney’s office hopes to increase the number of lawsuits filed against individuals and property owners who seem to skirt the current system of citations and fines. In cases where judges issue injunctions, repeat violations could produce contempt of court orders and jail time.

Marc Bellas is organizational performance management administrator for Pasco County.
(File)

Legal action will be taken on a case-by-case basis in partnership with county department heads and staff members who single out their worst violators. Those cases will be reviewed by the county attorney’s office and prioritized for legal action, based on specific criteria.

Factors the attorney’s office will consider include repeat offenses, danger to health and public safety, and violations of “high impact” to the community.

Marc Bellas, the county’s organizational performance management administrator, and Kristi Sims, senior assistant county attorney, presented the pilot program to county commissioners on April 25 in New Port Richey.

“Generally, enforcement is reactive,” said Bellas. “Complaints come in, and we respond. This happens day after day after day,” he said.

The current process strains the county’s manpower, and Bellas added, “The system of warnings and letters are not always a deterrent.”

Code enforcement generally operates with a cycle of investigate, issue a warning and wait for compliance. Most of the time, it works. But, some violators comply only temporarily. The case is closed, and then, months later the violation is repeated.

The pilot program aims to be a tougher, more proactive approach, Bellas said.

Departments that will work with county attorneys include the sheriff’s office, fire inspection, customer service, building inspection, stormwater management and environmental lands.

Sims described the program as “a more sophisticated, creative enforcement” approach. The volume of citations can be overwhelming, she said. “I felt like I was mowing the same weeds, over and over, instead of extracting a weed.”

At this time, no additional funds are being sought. In the future, though, the county will assess the program’s success and determine if funds need to be included in annual budgets to cover legal expenses related to investigations and filing lawsuits.

County commissioners unanimously voted for the program, but did have concerns.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore asked that code enforcement continue to focus on major corridors, including U.S. 19, U.S. 41 and U.S. 301.

Commissioners approved a plan more than a year ago to increase code enforcement efforts along those corridors to end blight, and clean up vacant commercial properties.

Several sweeps in those areas have been conducted in the past year.

“We want to stay on task,” Moore said.

Sims said those corridors, and abandoned properties, will have a high priority.

Bellas said he is not aware of any other county in the state that has adopted a similar, proactive enforcement program.

“We’ll set the example for it,” he said.

Revised May 3, 2017

Raising awareness about child abuse

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Learning to recognize the signs of child abuse is a critical first step in knowing when to report suspected abuse.

Pasco-Hernando State College and Pasco Kids First Inc., hosted a child abuse awareness seminar on April 20 for about 30 people. The seminar was free and open to the community, students, faculty and staff.

Pasco-Hernando State College and Pasco Kids First., hosted a child abuse awareness seminar at the college. Among those attending were students, faculty and seminar presenters.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

The “Stop the Abuse” seminar was part of the Summer 2017 Community Awareness Series. The next seminar will be on skin cancer awareness on May 24 from 11 a.m. to noon at PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd, in Building B, Room 203.

Staff members from Pasco Kids First child protection team and trauma therapy team discussed tools and resources to help victims of child abuse and how to recognize when child abuse is happening.

There’s no doubt that child abuse is an issue in Florida. A hotline to report suspected child abuse gets thousands of calls every year in the state.

Many of those attending the seminar are nursing students at the college.

“You’ll be faced with a lot of different scenarios,” said Natalie Epo, associate dean for academic affairs and retention services at the Porter Campus.

Data shows that children from birth to age 5 are at the highest risk of death from child abuse. Across the country, five children die every day from child abuse.

Telltale signs of abuse can be as obvious as a pattern of cigarette burns, or less so, such as bruising that is less noticeable and harder to categorize as abuse.

“If you see bruises on a child under age 5, those are the most concerning,” said Jon Wisenbaker, program manager for Pasco Kids First child protection team.

Pasco Kids First’s child protection and trauma teams work with the protection investigators at the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. They do assessments on physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and high-risk cases. Referrals are made by child protective investigators or law enforcement, but can’t be made directly by the general public.

Not every reported injury is due to child abuse, however.

“Kids do get accidental injuries all the time,” Wisenbaker said.  “That’s where we come into the picture to make that decision.”

The location and pattern of bruises can be telling, said Julie Nadkarni, pediatric nurse practitioner with Pasco Kids First’s child protection team.

Bruising, especially pattern bruising, on the inner thigh, upper arms, buttocks and sides of the face, ears and neck can be signs of abuse, Nadkarni said.

Bruises behind a child’s ear generally aren’t seen.

“When they fall, their ears don’t typically hit the ground,” she added.

Nadkarni showed slides of children with clear signs of abuse, including ligature marks, cigarette burns and scalded feet.

Bite marks, particularly by adults, are often associated with sexual abuse, she said.

Pasco Kids First also sees children suffering from neglect and malnutrition.

The mission of Pasco Kids First, however, is to keep families together, if possible.

“The goal is always to strengthen the family because overall that is where a child is going to do the best,” Nadkarni said.

Studies support that view, said Wisenbaker.

When children are removed, they are more likely to live with a relative or family friend than in a foster home, he said.

Helping victims and their families deal with abuse, and recover from trauma, is part of the mission at Pasco Kids.

Miranda Hager, trauma therapist with Pasco Kids First, counseled more than 280 clients last year. About 80 percent were victims of sexual abuse; 10 percent physical abuse; and 10 percent other types of trauma.

Children who have been abused can react to abuse by becoming aggressive or withdrawn. They make have difficulty sleeping, problems at school, increasing stomachaches and headaches and lack motivation.

Lexy, a survivor of child sex abuse, is one of Hager’s clients. She spoke at the seminar about her yearlong experience of abuse at age 15 by an older male friend of the family.

What happened over many months was a pattern of grooming, typical of sex offenders, Hager said.

Children are targeted over many months as the sexual predator tries to create a special friendship, giving them gifts and being available to them. “It’s a slow process of pulling the child away from friends and family,” Hager said.

For information, visit PascoKidsFirst.org.

To report suspected child abuse, neglect or abandonment, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-(800)-962-2873, or fax to (800) 914-0004.

Revised May 5, 2017

Ybor City Saturday Market offers crafts, food and fun

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Variety adds spice to the Ybor City Saturday Market.

Every Saturday, vendors fill their tables with goodies to eat and crafts to carry home.

New Tampa resident Reginald Beck offers freshly baked breads, including focaccia and scones, on Saturdays at his Fearless Bread booth at the Ybor City Market in Centennial Park.
(Fred Bellet)

Some — like Dave DeAngelis — show how they make the items they sell. He turns pine needles into decorative baskets.

“In 40 years, I’ve never made the same thing twice,” said DeAngelis, who has been coming to the Ybor market since it opened nearly 17 years ago. “I’m sort of a fixture here,” he said.

He learned his craft from a book he found in a store in Clearwater.

One recent Saturday morning, he took a break to nosh a scone he bought from Reginald Beck, a baker who lives in New Tampa.

Beck spread out an array of focaccia and scones as he prepared for the market to open.

He is a third-generation baker, and this was his second year selling at the Ybor City market.

“My mother’s favorite thing was baking,” said Beck, who also teaches baking classes.

He said some of his student tell him they’re afraid to bake.

Brianna Hall makes unique headbands for special occasions and holidays. Her inspiration was the iconic ears of Mickey Mouse at Disney World.

“What I specialize in is taking the fear out,” said Beck, whose company is named Fearless Bread.

The Ybor City Saturday Market is the largest continually operating outdoor market in the Tampa Bay area, according to its website.

Admission is free, and the market is open every Saturday year-round, though operating hours vary according to the season.

Dozens of vendors sell foods, sauces, baked goods, herbs and plants, honey, artwork, woodwork, candles and fine cigars.

Each Saturday at 9:30 a.m., Yoga by Loft hosts a yoga class in the Ybor City Museum Garden. And, on the third Saturday of the month, the Bay Area Greyhound Association has greyhounds available for adoption.

Directly behind Centennial Park, the Ybor City Museum is open from Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $4 each, with children under age 5 admitted free.

Co-owner Debra Chatfield sets up her display for the Lutz Nuts Company at the Ybor City Market in Centennial Park.

Visitors come to the market from all over the Tampa Bay area, as well as from out-of-state and international locales.

Cruise ships docking at Channelside provide a fair share of tourists checking out the market.

Some vendors, who were born in Turkey, Cypress and Tunisia, add to the market’s international flavor.

“There’s a lot of unique people here,” said Debra Chatfield, co-owner of Lutz Nutz Company. She and her husband, Richard Chatfield, started their business about 14 years ago in their home.

They sell gourmet mixed nuts and granola, including the Bodacious Blend of nuts and Amazing Oatz.

“Everything is hand done,” Debra Chatfield said. “It’s truly artisan. I have to feel good about what I’m selling.”

Antonio Tugunns crafts flowers from palm fronds that he offers for sale at the Ybor City Market in Centennial Park. He learned his skills from his father.

A love for Disney World and the famous mouse ears gave Brianna Hall, 21, an idea. She makes decorative head bands for special events, holidays and any day that calls for a unique accessory.

“They’re my own expression,” said Hall, who also sells her items online at Etsy.

Jeannie Lewis started making soaps as a hobby at home in Valrico.

“Soon enough, my whole house was filled with soap,” she said. Now, it’s a business. She and her husband, Lee Lewis, set up displays at Ybor and at other markets, including in Mirabay and Valrico. In addition to soaps, they also sell pedicure sets, shaving kits and facial masks.

“I love coming out, selling it and meeting people,” she said.

A 5k race in Ybor brought Tyrone Mussio and his daughters, Tyra and Monique Mussio, to the area, and they checked out the market after they crossed the finish line.

They strolled through the market, stopping to sample cake from Sugs Rum Cake, operated by Sugar Kerr.

They took home a rum cake, and they plan to be back.

“We’re just amazed,” Tyrone Mussio said. “We love the atmosphere and the environment, and making it a family fun day.”

What: Ybor City Saturday Market
Where: Centennial Park at 1901 19th St., in Tampa
When: Every Saturday: May through September, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; October through April, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free, and pet friendly
Information: Visit YborMarket.com, or email .

Published May 3, 2017

Business Digest 05/03/2017

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(Courtesy of First National Bank of Pasco)

First National groundbreaking
First National Bank of Pasco broke ground April 20 for a new branch office, at 23613 State Road 54 in Lutz. Behind the golden shovels, from left to right, were FNBP Vice President Dwight Carson; FNBP Lutz Branch Manager Kathleen Balthazard; FNBP Executive Vice President Mike Mashke; FNBP board member John Henson; Pasco County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Paula O’Neill; Diaz Fritz Group Vice President Tom Connella; Diaz Fritz Group Vice President Wayne Ismark; Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore; FNBP Project Manager Park Meyers; FNBP board Chairman A.P. Gibbs; Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Representative David Gainer; Diaz Fritz Group Chief Executive Officer Del Diaz; FNBP board Vice Chairman Paul Midili; FNBP board member, Chris Black; Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Hope Allen; FNBP board member, Glen Greenfelder; FNBP board member, Ernest Peeples; FNBP board member, Marlene Mann; FNBP Chief Financial Officer Kerry Westbrook; and FNBP President/Chief Executive Officer Steven Hickman.

Zephyrhills business breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly business breakfast May 4 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Guest speaker will be Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

The cost is $8 for members and $10 for non-members.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 782-1913 or .

Women-n-Charge
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge May 5 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The women share their talents and resources, and they build relationships with other women in business.

The cost is $15 for members and $18 for all guests.

Guest speakers will be life coach Barbara Brekke and Rosemary MacKeen of Arve Interiors. They will demonstrate how to create gift baskets, door prizes and drawings to promote your business, and offer budget tips to maximize charitable donations.

To register, visit Women-n-charge.com.

For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Florida Wellness
Florida Wellness Medical Group will have a ribbon cutting May 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 6834 Gall Blvd., Suite 104, in Zephyrhills.

The free event is part of the May mixer by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Join the celebration and enjoy food, drinks, live music and giveaways.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 782-1913 or  .

Bilirakis office opens
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will have a ribbon cutting for his new district office location May 9 at 4 p.m., at 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The office, which opened in April, will serve as a resource for people who need help with a federal agency, have legislative questions or want to meet with Bilirakis and his staff members. It will be open every Wednesday for walk-ins. Meetings during the rest of the week will be by appointment only.

For information, visit Bilirakis.house.gov/contact/offices/Wesley-chapel.

Central Pasco general meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly general membership meeting May 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Harbor Terrace Restaurant, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Pkwy., in Lutz.

Guest speaker will be Lou Bravo of Trinity Memorial Gardens.

Members and guests are welcome.

The cost for members is $20 if you RSVP by May 4, and $25 at the door for members and non-members.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 909-2722 or .

 

Redevelopment project teed up for a vote

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Residents of Quail Hollow subdivision packed the boardroom at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse seeking to persuade county commissioners not to allow a developer to swap a golf course for houses.

“It betrays the existing residents who have expectations of a golf course remaining. It (houses) would change the character and sense of place of our neighborhood,” said Edward Glime, who lives in Quail Hollow. He and others spoke during public comment at a hearing on April 12 in Dade City.

Land use attorney Barbara Wilhite spoke in support of a proposed project to redevelop the Quail Hollow golf course. She said the private golf course dates back to the 1960s — before nearby residential development.
(Fred Bellet)

The Quail Hollow Neighborhood Citizens Group Inc., presented county commissioners with a petition signed by about 380 people who oppose the closure and residential development of the golf course.

But, the contentious public hearing didn’t end in a final vote as normally happens — that is scheduled for May 9 at 1:30 p.m., in Dade City.

The voting delay will give Pasco County’s planners and legal staff time to review a prior decision to recommend approval of the project to the county commission. Staff members will make a presentation to the commission prior to the vote.

No additional public testimony will be taken.

Kris Hughes, the county’s director of planning and development, described the delay as “prudent,” though he said nothing he heard during the hearing was likely to change the staff’s recommendation.

David Goldstein, the county’s deputy attorney, said the additional review is needed to “cross every T, and dot every i, to make sure it’s bulletproof.”

Property owner Andre Carollo, of Pasco Office Park LLC, wants to build a maximum of 400 single-family houses, 30,000 square feet of office/retail and 10,000 square feet of day care.

In support of the project, land use attorney Barbara Wilhite recounted the history of the golf course, which dates to the late 1960s.

“It’s always been a privately owned golf course open to the public,” she said. “The golf course came first.”

It was nearly a decade later that houses were built around the golf course, which was closed for several years before reopening in 2011. Despite expensive improvements, Wilhite said the golf course is not profitable.

She also noted that the proposed development is less dense than the 800 dwelling units the county’s current comprehensive land use plan would allow.

“It’s always been zoned for residential units,” Wilhite said.

The attorney also pointed out that her client is taking the unusual legal step of making the proposed site plan “binding.”

“I’ve never seen anyone do what we’re doing here,” Wilhite said.

But, residents told county commissioners they worry about flooding, water contamination of Cypress Creek, lower property values and increased traffic on narrow roads with limited access to the site.

Wilhite and a team of consultants rebutted those arguments with information on a planned stormwater drainage system and data on property sales in the area.

Homeowners were skeptical.

The golf course property is “better suited for open space than high-density housing,” said homeowner Jeanne Luczynski. “Who benefits? That’s the big picture question. Why is the applicant more important than everyone here? Where is our protection?” she said.

Published April 26, 2017

Solutions sought for Pasco’s congestion

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A task force that will help decide the future of State Road 54 and State Road 56 has taken preliminary steps to set up a schedule and agree on a list of potential road designs meant to improve traffic along the busy corridors.

The 17-member task force will serve as advisory board to the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization. It held an organizational meeting on April 20 at Rasmussen College, off State Road 54. About 25 people from the community were there, too.

This is the second of a three-part study to find traffic solutions to ease congestion, improve safety and increase mobility along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor — that is exploding with new development and increasing traffic.

Vehicles stack up during rush hours as motorists travel on State Road 54 and approach the intersection with U.S. 41.
(Kathy Steele)

The entire study area includes the corridor, from Bruce B. Downs Boulevard on the east to U.S. 19 on the west.

This phase of the study will focus primarily on two intersections: Little Road and State Road 54 in New Port Richey, and U.S. 41 and State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

“We are reaching an important stage of development in this,” said Kris Hughes, the county’s planning and development director. “We are looking forward to what this process produces.”

Three meetings in total are planned in 2017. The second meeting will be in August, with a final meeting in October. At least two additional meetings are planned for 2018, but no dates are scheduled.

The task force replaces two previous task forces, each representing east and west sides of Pasco. They met during phase one of the project, and recommended six major highway and transit alternatives, five complementary alternatives and a no-build option.

The new task force will explore those options in more detail and whittle the list to three or four alternatives, and the no-build option.

“Do nothing? Well, that’s not going to work,” said task force member Jack Buckley.

Choices under review include designs for elevated lanes and redesigns at the ground level. Some options include dedicated lanes for buses and others don’t.

Sorting out how disruptive some designs can be to business and property owners will be a factor in choosing which direction to take, Buckley said.

Access on and off the roadway and the distances between on-off ramps are important, said Kim Brinkley-Seyer. She is principal of The Seyer Group in Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota.

“I am very concerned,” she said during public comment. “It is about moving people, but you have businesses and people along the way. That’s got to be a factor. You take the access, and it’s gone.”

Representatives from Pasco County Planning and Development, the county’s MPO, Florida Department of Transportation, and consultants from AECOM will assist in the study.

Published April 26, 2017

Trails putting Florida on the map

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Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp wants to get residents moving when it comes to supporting and building a network of trails and greenways.

The first-time county commissioner recently invited trail experts to give residents an overview of current and future projects in Hillsborough and the Tampa Bay region.

Regional trails coursing through Pasco County include the Coast to Coast Trail tying together east and west coasts; and, the Suncoast Trail, with trail heads in Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties

Dale Allen, executive director of the Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation, left, received an award given to the foundation by the Florida Bicycle Association. J. Steele Olmstead is the association’s president; Pat Kemp is Hillsborough County Commissioner.
(Kathy Steele)

Nearly 75 people attended the April 4 meeting at the Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library in Tampa. Speakers included Dale Allen, executive director of the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation; Wade Reynolds of the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization; and Anthony Matonti of Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority, or TBARTA.

“Trails are just exploding,” said Kemp.

But, she came away disappointed when she attended a regional meeting on trials in Venice in February. At least seven counties made presentations.

“Pasco had a great demonstration, good programs,” Kemp said.

Hillsborough didn’t have as much going on, but that wasn’t always the case, she said.  “It seemed like something happened in Hillsborough because they went dormant.”

Kemp hopes that the April 4 meeting will spur efforts to follow through on trail projects in Hillsborough and regionally. An annual summit on trail development in Hillsborough also would keep momentum going, she said.

On April 5, Hillsborough County commissioners asked the county’s staff to prioritize a list of hiking and bicycling trails for future projects, and to make a biannual report on progress.

All across Florida, a trail system is taking shape.

It’s one that largely began with local projects, but now is emerging as a statewide network, Allen said.

The Coast to Coast trail, for instance, includes about 14 individual trails built by local governments. When the trail opens in 2020, it will connect Volusia County in the east with Pinellas County in the west. A portion of the 250-mile trail will cut through Pasco.

Kathryn Starkey is a Pasco County Commissioner.
(File)

People can ride bicycles from the Kennedy Space Center to the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Allen said.

“The economic impact of this is tremendous,” he said.

Florida’s trail system benefits from a number of factors, including year-round warm weather. But, Allen said the state has other assets as well, including its state parks.

Florida is the only state in the nation to win the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence three times for the maintenance of its parks.

The state also has thousands of miles of abandoned rights-of-way along railroad lines. Many trail systems around the country are being built on those old routes, including the Coeur d’Alene Trail in Idaho along 71 miles of the Union Pacific rail line, and the High Line in New York City on an abandoned, elevated rail road trestle.

Allen said the High Line is the second biggest tourist attraction in New York City.

In Pasco, a trail is proposed to follow the Orange Belt rail line. Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey often mentions the trail as an economic boon to Land O’ Lakes.

Dade City often is cited as a future hub for bicyclists traveling the trail network.

The Coast to Coast trail could benefit Dade City’s efforts, said Allen, in response to a question posed after his presentation. But, he added, “They’ve got to do it right. Putting lanes for bicycles along roadways won’t do it.”

The trails must be safe, scenic and lead to destinations people want to visit, Allen said.

In Florida, safety is a critical issue. The state consistently over the years ranks at or near the worst among states in annual pedestrian and bicycling fatalities.

Data shows that nine out of 10 Floridians own bicycles. But, Allen said one out of 10 owners don’t ride them. “The roads are too dangerous,” he said. “To go to best from worst, we have a lot of work to do.”

Published April 26, 2017

Seeking connections between counties

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Pasco County planners hope a study will point the way to consensus on whether to open more north/south roads that link Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

More than 100 people attended a public meeting on the topic on April 18 at Pasco-Hernando State College, off Mansfield Boulevard.

The boulevard dead-ends at the county line, just before reaching Kinnan Street, a two-lane, divided roadway in New Tampa, on Hillsborough’s side of the dividing line.

A caravan of buses travels along Mansfield Boulevard, twice a day, delivering and picking up students at three schools. Pasco County residents worry that linking Mansfield to Kinnan Street in New Tampa will increase traffic.
(Kathy Steele)

Connecting the two is one of three road projects that the study will consider over the next six months. Consultants with AECOM also will look at the potential for southern extensions of Meadow Pointe Boulevard and Wyndfields Boulevard that would link with existing and future roads in the K-Bar ranch development in Hillsborough.

Opening up Mansfield and Kinnan drew largely negative reviews from Pasco residents, specifically those living in Meadow Pointe subdivisions.

“More through roads will be needed,” said Meadow Pointe resident Michael Kaufman. “I’m not against development.

But, he said, “There are a lot of reasons not to connect Mansfield and Kinnan, and no good reason.”

The road designs aren’t compatible for one, and they also were never intended to be linked, Kaufman said. It is impossible to widen Kinnan beyond its current two lanes because there isn’t room, he added.

The increase in traffic would be a safety issue, particularly because there are three schools, and the state college along Mansfield, Kaufman said.

Richard Traudt, who lives in the Longleaf subdivision of Meadow Pointe, agreed.

Twice a day, caravans of buses carry students to and from their schools. Parents are lining up to drop off and pick up, also. It’s a traffic bottleneck at those times, which doesn’t make it a good connector street, but more traffic also becomes a safety problem, Traudt said.

“You would be putting students in more jeopardy than they are now,” he said, adding that more traffic signals at intersections likely would be needed.

For many at the meeting, a southern extension of Meadow Pointe Boulevard into K-Bar ranch made more sense.

“It was envisioned as a connecting street with New Tampa,” Kaufman said.

For New Tampa and Hillsborough residents, new ways to improve traffic flow also are important matters.

“We need a total system developed,” said Hillsborough resident Frank Hauser. “We need connections.” But, he shares concerns that Mansfield and Kinnan shouldn’t be linked, and agrees that Meadow Pointe Boulevard should be extended.

Janet and Stanley Murawski live in Meadow Pointe, close by county line.

They also support extending Meadow Pointe. “This would have the greatest assistance for everyone,” said Janet Murawski.

And, even though, a Mansfield-Kinnan link would shorten her drive to work, she said, “For me it would be good, but not for the area.”

Extending Wyndfields also had supporters, but that project seemed farther in the future than Meadow Pointe Boulevard.

Mansfield and Kinnan has been an unresolved issue for years, but negotiations with Pasco, Tampa and K-Bar developers never produced a solution.

Residents pushing for the connections cite the need for better evacuation routes, safety and greater mobility. Navigating the divide at Mansfield and Kinnan, for instance, can mean traveling a long, circular route using County Line road, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Cross Creek Boulevard and Morris Bridge Road.

“It started long before I got here,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, who addressed audience members. “The study will look at all possible connections and impacts on both sides.”

The study is being funded by Pasco, with AECOM receiving about $112,000.

Though invited to contribute financially, Moore said the City of Tampa and Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization both declined.

Representatives were invited to the meeting, and Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera did attend.

Viera said New Tampa residents are eager to open routes, including Mansfield and Kinnan. He acknowledged the problems with that project but said the issue should be studied.

“We have a lot of quality of life in the balance for people,”Viera said.

The lack of north/south connections is hurting businesses on Cross Creek Boulevard, he said.

“You can’t get people there without them driving 20 minutes,” he said. “It’s something we’re willing to fight for.”

Moore, who is in his first term on the Pasco County Commission, met with former Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione last year to discuss linking Mansfield and Kinnan.

The issue surfaced soon after a 911 call led to confusion and misdirection over dispatching an ambulance to aid a Tampa resident who had suffered severe burns.

Moore, at the time, received phone calls and emails from Meadow Pointe residents opposed to opening the roads. But, Moore decided to request the study and explore feasible road projects, and also to hear from residents.

Published April 26, 2017