The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kathy Steele

Residents pitch in to get rid of hazardous waste

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Pasco County residents unloaded an impressive 27 tons of hazardous waste during the county’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative, according to a news release from Pasco County.

County employees counted more than 570 cars and trucks as residents delivered hazardous waste for disposal during the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative.
(Photos courtesy of Pasco County)

It was the most successful mobile hazardous waste collection event Charles Ryburn can recall in his six years as the county’s environmental manager.

The chemical collection total nearly doubled from 2015, reported Ryburn in a written statement.

“Waste reduction, pollution prevention and removing chemicals from the solid waste stream are critical, and Pasco County residents are helping make that happen,” Ryburn said.

Residents dropped off more than 13,000 pounds of latex paint for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative for 2016.

Nearly 570 cars and trucks pulled into the parking lot of the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey on Dec. 3 to drop off hazardous waste.

The following is a list of items disposed:

  • 13,266 pounds of latex paint
  • 8,211 pounds of household chemicals
  • 115 lead acid batteries
  • 450 pounds of household batteries
  • 33 propane tanks
  • 275 gallons of used oil, antifreeze and gasoline
  • 250 mercury-containing lamps
  • 23,667 pounds of electronics recycling

Pasco County staff manages and operates two hazardous household waste centers for the safe handling, processing, and proper disposal of all wastes.

Hazardous waste brought to the centers by county residents are either recycled or sent out to a permitted hazardous waste management facility for treatment.

For more information, call (813) 929-2755, ext. 6896, or visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published January 4, 2017

 

Business Digest 01/04/2017

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Ready to work
CareerSource Pasco-Hernando can help job seekers show off their skills through the Florida Ready to Work program.

Earn a work credential by taking supervised assessments in Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information and Locating Information.

Enrollment is free. Each placement test in the process takes about 15 minutes and can be taken at any time from any computer, anywhere. Online Courseware is available to help improve scores and job skills, if needed.

Once the tests are taken, a proctor will complete approximately one-hour assessments on each test. With a score of at least three on each assessment, participants will receive a Florida Ready to Work Credential, signed by the Governor.

CareerSource Pasco-Hernando also can help with research on potential careers, and provide additional assistance in building job skills.

To contact the proctor, email , or call the East Pasco office at (813) 377-1300, ext. 3404.

For information, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com.

Network breakfast
Business Link will have its monthly networking breakfast on Jan. 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., in the board room of the Student Community Center at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

The monthly gathering, held at various locations, provides networking and an information-sharing platform for the small business community.

A complimentary breakfast will be provided.

RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237.

Ribbon cutting
Sevelius Wealth Management of Raymond James will have a ribbon cutting on Jan. 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 29145 Chapel Park Drive in Wesley Chapel.

The event is free.

For information, contact The Greater Wesley Chapel of Commerce at (813) 994-8534 or .

Business seminar
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host a business seminar on Jan. 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., at its office on 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 105, Don Porter Boardroom, in Wesley Chapel.

Founder of Business Success Training Steve Black will explain How to Have the Best Year Ever in 2017.

The event is free but space is limited, so RSVP.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 994-8534 or .

Economic forecast luncheon
The Pasco Economic Development Corporation has scheduled its 2017 Economic Forecast Luncheon on Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

The luncheon will feature Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo, who will give a presentation of the regional economy and his forecast for the year.

Vitner regularly meets with business leaders throughout the country, as well as overseas. He is expected to discuss potential impacts on Pasco County and Florida — from changes in local and national leadership.

For information, visit PascoEDC.com.

Video training
Pasco County libraries are partnering with Lynda.com – an online platform owned by Linkedin – to provide full access to the company’s video library.

More than 4,000 video courses, taught by industry experts, are available. The courses explain Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel and Publisher; and, the Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat. Also available are courses on computer programming, photography skills, online marketing, business management and more.

Lynda.com offers various paid subscriptions, but Pasco library patrons can access the courses for free by going online and using their library cards to create a profile.

To sign up, visit Lynda.com/portal/sip?=pascolibraries.org.

For information, also visit PascoLibraries.org.

Pasco-Hernando SCORE seeks volunteers
The Pasco-Hernando chapter of SCORE, which is short for Service Corps of Retired Executives, is seeking volunteers to help guide local entrepreneurs start and manage new businesses.

The organization specifically is seeking individuals with expertise in these fields:

  • Commercial Lender: A retired banker with experience in business loans, equipment loans, lines of credit, working capital loans and SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) guidelines.
  • Social Media Coordinator: Someone who demonstrates a strong working knowledge of social media and website optimization.
  • Nonprofit Mentor: Someone with prior nonprofit expertise with existing and start-up organizations.

SCORE — founded in 1964 — is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, and has 300-plus chapters with more than 13,000 volunteers throughout the United States.

Ribbon cutting
Paramount Lebanese Kitchen will have a ribbon cutting on Jan. 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 18089 Highwood Preserve Parkway in New Tampa.

The chain restaurant offers “farm to table” casual dining and Mediterranean cuisine, according to its website – ParamountFineFoodsUsa.com.

For information, contact The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534 or .

Business seminar
A free seminar on How to Develop an Internship Program will be presented on Jan. 19 at 9 a.m., by Able Trust at Pasco-Hernando State College, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Registration and breakfast will be at 8:30 a.m. The seminar begins at 9 a.m.

For information, call The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534, email , or visit AbleTrust.org.

Ribbon cutting
Chase Bank will have a ribbon cutting on Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at 28470 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.

The event is free.

For information, call The Greater Wesley Chapel of Commerce at (813) 994-8534, or email .

Overpass Road/I-75 interchange under review

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About 100 residents had the chance to see the design for a proposal to widen and extend Overpass Road at a public hearing on Dec. 15, but the project is years away from construction.

The project, estimated at $220 million, calls for widening and extending Overpass Road, aligning it with Fairview Heights and Kossik roads, and building a new Interstate 75 interchange.

The nearly 9-mile project is driven by a rapidly changing landscape that developers are tapping into for homes, employment centers and shops.

The proposed plan was outlined at the public hearing at the First Congregation Church of Zephyrhills.

In addition to a new I-75 interchange, the road would be widened to four lanes, or six lanes in some sections, from Old Pasco Road to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills. Construction on the interchange – the only partially funded phase of the project – is scheduled in 2020.

Pasco County has about $32 million budgeted for the estimated $64 million interchange. Additional state funds will be sought in 2017.

Pasco, with the Florida Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration, is completing a study of the project before committing to its construction.

A no-build alternative also is an option.

A decision is anticipated by spring 2017.

At the hearing, residents could view maps and ask questions. They also viewed a video explaining the project.

During a public comment period, one property owner raised concern about access to property abutting I-75. Others opted instead for written comments, which were accepted by the state department of transportation through Dec. 27.

Many people at the meeting had questions about construction, increasing traffic and future plans to buy right-of-way.

Lorri and David Blommel, who live off Kossik Road, had mixed views of the project.

Lori Blommel had some questions: “How are we going to get out of our little place across four lanes of highway? How’s that going to work?”

But, an improved roadway, with an Overpass extension, also would provide a quicker, more direct route to Wesley Chapel.

David Blommel said a 30-minute trip could be shortened to 10 minutes.

The entire length of roadway is quickly transforming. Vacant land is becoming home to new subdivisions to join existing ones, such as the Villages at Pasadena Hills.

Metro Development Group recently broke ground on a 7-acre manmade Crystal Lagoon on Epperson Ranch at Overpass and Curley roads. The master-planned community will add thousands of homes, as well as employment opportunities to the area as part of the state-approved Connected City corridor.

The state’s 10-year pilot program focuses on about 7,800 acres to encourage development of new neighborhoods and stimulate job growth with cutting edge technology. Total build out is about 50 years into the future.

Currently, Overpass is an east-west road that runs from Old Pasco Road to just less than a mile east of Boyette Road. The road falls between State Road 52 and County Road 54. It crosses I-75, but it isn’t connected to the interstate.

The project would widen Overpass from two lanes to four lanes, from Old Pasco to I-75. A diverging diamond interchange would be built with a connection to Overpass.

In addition, Blair Drive, which currently links to Overpass near I-75, would be closed. A new, two-lane paved road would be built with a connection to Old Pasco.

When the Overpass extension is complete, the road would intersect with Handcart Road. From there, the road name changes to Fairview Heights Road and later becomes Kossik Road. The project ends where Kossik intersects with U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

Plans, long range, are to widen Overpass Road from I-75 to Boyette Road to six lanes, plus two auxiliary lanes. From Boyette Road to U.S. 301, the road also would widen to six lanes.

The project dates to 2003 and the Overpass Road Route Study. Since then, the plan has taken shape from additional studies and public workshops.

Published December 28, 2016

Gary Joiner takes on new role as property appraiser

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Gary Joiner will be sworn in as Pasco County’s property appraiser in the new year. But, he started laying the groundwork for his first day soon after winning the Nov. 8 election.

Joiner’s starting point is customer service.

Gary Joiner is the new Pasco County property appraiser. He previously served more than 33 years with the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office, most recently as director of operations.
(Courtesy of Gary Joiner)

He has met with some of the office staff members to discuss ways, for instance, of modernizing the website.

He wants ideas on how to make it more user-friendly.

“Tell me what works and what doesn’t work,” he said. “We’ll build on that.”

It all comes back to customer service.

“It has to be No. 1,” said Joiner, who worked for more than 33 years at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office. His last position was as director of operations.

Joiner replaces Mike Wells Sr., who chose not to seek a sixth, four-year term in the office.

Joiner defeated Democrat Jon Sydney Larkin in the general election after winning the Republican primary against former Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader.

Long-range, Joiner plans to focus on making sure the office is up-to-date on technology. Eventually, he would like the property appraiser’s office to move off the county’s mainframe and operate a web-based platform, either in-house or with a third-party contractor.

Among the challenges for the property appraiser’s office is the explosion of new development.

“We need to make sure we have enough staff on the road, looking at the new buildings, getting these assessments and values,” Joiner said. “We want them to be right.”

Joiner knows the county well.

He grew up in New Port Richey, and graduated from Gulf High School.

He attended Pasco-Hernando State College, though he didn’t earn a degree. “It’s probably one of my regrets, not finishing college,” he said.

Instead, he worked at a local hardware store for $3.60 an hour. More than a year later, he took a job in the front office of the tax collector’s office, where he stayed more than three decades.

“I took a 10-cent pay cut to come here,” said Joiner.

Over the years, his job positions included supervisor, assistant manager and manager of offices.

“Anytime we opened a new office, I opened it,” said Joiner.

As with any new job, there is a learning curve.

Joiner said he wants to learn all aspects of the property appraiser’s office so that, like the tax collector’s office, it all becomes “second-nature” to him.

“I’ve always had a hands-on approach,” he said. “I want to learn it from the top to the bottom.”

He also looks forward to working with Realtors and others who know Pasco’s real estate inside and out.

It’s part of customer service for everyone.

“We’ll try to make their lives easier,” Joiner said. “They also can be the eyes and ears out there.”

They notice where development is happening, he said, and “we can work as a team. We all take care of the same people.”

Published December 28, 2016

Burgess seeks state funding for veterans’ health

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Alternative therapies to treat post-traumatic stress or brain injuries are bringing relief to veterans who say more traditional approaches don’t work.

Danny Burgess

Rep. Danny Burgess is sponsoring a bill (the Alternative Treatment for Veterans Act) in the 2017 Florida legislative session to authorize the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to provide state funding for alternative treatments offered by nonprofits and state university organizations, according to a news release from Burgess’ office.

It is similar to the national Cover Act (Creating Options for Veterans’ Expedited Recovery), sponsored by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, which focuses on mental health care options, such as sports therapy and service dog therapy.

Such legislation “will help ensure the (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) finally recognizes that one size does not fit all when it comes to treating Veterans for physical and invisible wounds,” said Bilirakis, in a written statement in the press release.

According to Burgess, the state legislation will put “Florida in the lead of serving those who served us.”

Alternative therapies, including service dog therapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatment, “have saved my life,” said Brian Anderson, a retired Green Beret and founder of Veterans Alternative in Pasco County.

If approved, the state Veterans Alternative bill will open opportunities to help more veterans statewide, Anderson said.

For information on Anderson’s program, visit VeteransAlternative.org.

Published December 28, 2016

Trade mission yields millions in future exports

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The Tampa Bay Export Alliance is projecting about $6.8 million in future export sales for some Bay area companies that participated in a trade mission to the Dominican Republic, according to a news release from the alliance.

The TBEA includes the Pasco Economic Development Council, the Pinellas County Economic Development and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.

Bill Cronin, president of the Pasco Economic Development Council, was among local business leaders to attend a trade mission to the Dominican Republic.

More than 35 area business leaders participated in the trade mission from Dec. 5 to Dec. 8.

For the Pasco EDC, this was its first trade mission with TBEA, which has hosted a total of four missions.

Thirteen companies participated in the U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key Services Matchmaker program.

Company representatives had about 140 one-on-one meetings with potential customers that resulted in about $6.8 million in either actual and expected export sales, the release reports.

Companies that came away with hope of securing a contract included New Port Richey-based Global Sign Restoration.

“This was our first trade mission, so we did not know what to expect, but the experience was invaluable to the future of our company,” Theresa Pagano, the company’s president, said in the news release.

The company has a “very promising opportunity for a large contract that we would not have had the chance to pitch otherwise,” Pagano added.

Bill Cronin, president of the Pasco EDC, said the agency would build on the success of the first mission to “grow our companies and create jobs.”

Published December 28, 2016

Business Digest 12/28/2016

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New officers
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club celebrated at a Christmas luncheon and installed officers for 2017.

Karin D’Amico is president and Annette Bellingar is first vice president. Past President Kay Taylor was named “Volunteer of the Year” for her service to the club and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

The club also donated and delivered Christmas gifts to residents of two area domestic violence shelters.

For membership information, visit GFWCLutzLandoLakesWomansClub.org.

Networking breakfast
The Wednesday Morning Network Group will meet Jan. 4 at 7:30 a.m., at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-BQ, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second pitch. The $7 cost for members and $10 for non-members includes breakfast.

For information, contact the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Women-n-Charge
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge on Jan. 6 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, at 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The women share their talents, build relationships and share their resources with other women in business.

Guest speaker will be Stephanie Stevens. Her presentation will be “My Silent Partner-Identity Theft Protection.”

The cost for members is $15 and $18 for non-members.

Please register at Women-n-charge.com.

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

Membership meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a membership meeting on Jan. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.

Members and guests are welcome.

The cost is $20 if you RSVP by Jan. 5, or $25 at the door.

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

Ribbon cutting
Go Craft Yourself will have a ribbon cutting on Jan. 10 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 10311 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite A, in Tampa.

For information, contact The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534 or .

Job fair
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast Inc., will have a job fair on Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Goodwill Superstore, 2390 Willow Oak Drive in Wesley Chapel.

Goodwill is seeking sales associates and donations processing associates, as well as janitorial staff members.

Applicants are urged to complete an application at SBSGoodwill.com prior to the job fair. However, walk-ins are welcome.

Goodwill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and a drug-free workplace. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. Donated goods sold at retail stores helps support Goodwill’s services in 10 counties in West Central Florida, including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs.

For information, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org.

General meeting
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have a general membership meeting on Jan. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Iavarone’s Steakhouse & Italian Grill, 3627 W. Humphrey St., in Tampa.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card or to the chamber office at by 5 p.m., on Jan. 10, at the discounted rate of $20 (whether you eat or not). After that date, the cost is $25 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the chamber office at (813) 563-0180, or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.

Economic forecast luncheon
The Pasco Economic Development Corporation has scheduled its 2017 Economic Forecast Luncheon on Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

The luncheon will feature Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo, who will give a presentation of the regional economy and his forecast for the year.

Vitner regularly meets with business leaders throughout the country, as well as overseas. He is expected to discuss potential impacts on Pasco County and Florida — from changes in local and national leadership.

For information, visit PascoEDC.com.

Video training
Pasco County libraries are partnering with Lynda.com – an online platform owned by Linkedin – to provide full access to the company’s video library.

More than 4,000 video courses, taught by industry experts, are available. The courses explain Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel and Publisher; and, the Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat. Also available are courses on computer programming, photography skills, online marketing, business management and more.

Lynda.com offers various paid subscriptions, but Pasco library patrons can access the courses for free by going online and using their library cards to create a profile.

To sign up, visit Lynda.com/portal/sip?=pascolibraries.org.

For information, also visit PascoLibraries.org.

 

Traffic relief coming to I-75 and State Road 56

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Motorists stuck in long lines of traffic at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange could get relief sooner rather than later.

It will come in the form of a new interchange known as a diverging diamond – a design gaining popularity nationally as a solution to traffic jams at major crossroads.

Aerial photo of I-44/Kansas Expressway Diverging Diamond Interchange in Springfield, Missouri. First of its kind in the U.S. (Courtesy of Missouri Department of Transportation)

The Florida Department of Transportation is moving the approximately $18.5 million road project up by two years. With funding in place, construction is set to begin sometime in fiscal year 2018, which runs from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

Previously, the diverging diamond got priority status on the FDOT’s five-year work plan, but had a fiscal year 2020 start date.

“I am grinning ear to ear. I am so excited that the diverging diamond is moving up to 2018,” said Pasco County Chairman Mike Moore. “This is going to be one of the most innovative methods of relieving traffic. It’s going to be so beneficial, not just for that area, but for the entire region.”

Moore and other county commissioners got a presentation on the diverging diamond and other proposed road projects during a Dec. 6 meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Dade City.

The state transportation department’s five-year work plan of joint state and county road projects is updated annually with local input.

The I-75 interchange is a gateway in and out of major commercial developments on State Road 56, either already open for business – Tampa Premium Outlets – or under construction – Cypress Creek Town Center.

Longhorn Steakhouse and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse are among the newest restaurants to open. Others include Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chick-fil-A and Culver’s. More eateries are on the way.

Construction will soon be completed west of the interchange on a 150,000-square-foot sports complex and ice rink, known as Florida Hospital Center Ice.

Vehicles stack up daily at the interchange and bring traffic to a crawl, as motorists seek to go shopping, run errands, get to work or head home.

Peak traffic hours are a daily nightmare for motorists who get stuck in long lines at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange.
(File Photo)

Details are pending on how traffic will be routed through the busy intersection during construction.

But, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said, “We’ll take the pain for the progress.”

Pasco County could become the second municipality in the state to have a diverging diamond. Sarasota is the first, with a diverging diamond interchange currently under construction at I-75 and University Parkway. It is expected to open in 2017.

The City of Jacksonville is considering a diverging diamond on Interstate 95.

In the diverging diamond interchange, multiple lanes of traffic from opposite directions crisscross from one side of the roadway to the other, and then switch back, guided by road signs, marked lanes and traffic signals.

Supporters of the design say it eases congestion, prevents wrong-way entry onto ramps and reduces crashes. The interchange also accommodates pedestrian crossings and bicycle lanes.

Other projects included in the five-year work plan are:

  • County Road 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard) from north of State Road 54 and State Road 56 to Progress Parkway; right-of-way to be purchased in 2018.
  • State Road 52 realignment from Uradco Place to west of Fort King Road; right-of-way to be purchased in 2018; construction in 2019.
  • S. 301 from State Road 56 (proposed) to State Road 39 (Paul Buchman Highway); preliminary engineering in 2018; right-of-way to be purchased in 2021, 2022.

For complete list of proposed projects and their descriptions visit D7wpph.com.

Comments on projects should be submitted by Dec. 27, either online or mailed to: Ed McKinney, Florida Department of Transportation, 11201 N. McKinley Drive, MS 7-500, Tampa, Florida, 33612.

Published December 21, 2016

 

Pasco OKs medical marijuana dispensaries

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The complete picture of the future of the medical marijuana industry remains hazy, but by spring – perhaps even sooner – Pasco County could have its first medical marijuana dispensaries.

The number of dispensaries that will be permitted remains unclear.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore wants to allow no more than six. One location and one permit each could be awarded to the six dispensary operators currently licensed by the state, if they apply.

“They may not all come,” Moore said, adding he doesn’t think all of them will.

A vote on an ordinance, which could include a six dispensary limit, is scheduled for Feb. 21 in New Port Richey. The county’s legal staff plans to research the issue for potential legal challenges.

However, at the Dec. 13 meeting in Dade City, county commissioners approved a separate ordinance allowing dispensaries within industrial districts, and establishing conditions for their operations. The vote was 4 to 1, with Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano the lone dissenter.

Mariano said access is important and confining dispensaries to industrial areas “is not good for us economically.”

However, the Dec. 13 vote opened the door for applicants to file for dispensary permits. The process generally takes 45 to 60 days, with a final vote needed by commissioners.

If approved, the medicinal shops would be dispensing the low-level form of medical marijuana, known as Charlotte’s web. This limited medical marijuana program is the result of a 2014 statewide referendum.

New regulations stemming from a Nov. 8 referendum that will increase the number of qualified patients, and allow stronger strains, are months away. They will be decided by the Florida Department of Health and state legislators.

In the interim, county commissioners also approved an ordinance for a one-year moratorium on the production, cultivation and distribution of cannabis, the product used to make medical marijuana. This replaces an existing moratorium that ends Dec. 31, and gives the county additional time to wait on what happens with the new amendment.

The sticking point for county commissioners is where to place dispensaries – in industrial or commercial districts.

“I would rather be open for business,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells. “I want to make sure we’re open to this when it comes time for the legislature to make decisions …or we’re going to miss the boat. I don’t see why we limit it.”

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey had reservations. “If we don’t limit it, and we allow it in any zoning, they could be everywhere,” she said.

County staff members presented a map, pinpointing up to 20 locations in the county that would meet the county’s requirement of a one-mile separation between facilities. However, they estimated fewer than 10 dispensaries would open.

Other restrictions require that dispensaries be at least 1,000 feet from such facilities as schools, day care centers and drug treatment centers. Buffering and adequate setbacks are required between a dispensary and any residential property.

Applicants must show they are licensed by the state to operate a dispensary, as well as meeting the county’s zoning conditions for permitting.

Some residents who spoke during public comment urged county commissioners to make dispensaries as accessible as possible.

Industrial areas often are isolated and not safe, said Kelly Miller, who lives in Holiday.

While no one wants dispensaries on every corner, she said, “My concern is we are shaming people to go into these (industrial) areas. What happens is, you’re limiting people to the access. How are you going to get a bus if you have glaucoma? If you’re suffering from cancer? Are you going to take a cab out to the middle of nowhere?”

Todd Pressman, a Palm Harbor-based land use attorney, told commissioners to “err on the side of caution. You don’t have complete control over conditional use (permits), and there will be challenges. You know that.”

Hudson resident Michelle Flood said, the Nov. 8 referendum sent a clear message that people want dispensaries.

“I know people personally who get their medicine from Hillsborough (County) and Pinellas (County), and they are being delivered into Pasco County,” she said. “It’s coming. You’re not going to be able to stop it.”

Published December 21, 2016

Airport area projects planned

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Pasco County has agreed to spend $3.5 million to install sewer pipes and two lift stations on property surrounding the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

County commissioners approved the funding as part of a cooperative agreement with the City of Zephyrhills at a Dec. 13 meeting in Dade City.

The county investment complements about $4.5 million spent by the City of Zephyrhills to improve water lines in order to increase capacity and pressure.

The coordinated efforts are strategically targeted at nearly 500 acres next to the airport.

The goal is to get the property build-ready for developers interested in aerospace, manufacturing, light industrial, assembly companies, and plastics.

“This is being proactive, not reactive,” said Pasco County Chairman Mike Moore. “We know there are opportunities there.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed.

“Site selectors are going to love this,” he said.

The funds will pay for the lift stations and about 20,000 linear feet of sewer lines.

The county and city partnership began in 2015, when Duke Energy and consultants, with McCallum Sweeney, completed a study and site assessment of about 480 acres around the airport.

The study concluded that the property had great potential, but needed infrastructure to make it marketable to developers.

Another selling point is a CSX rail line through the property.

The land is part of the county’s “pad ready” program, which seeks to promote industrial sites through similar infrastructure installations.

The Pasco Economic Development Council is helping the county to target industrial sites within the county.

Published December 21, 2016