The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kathy Steele

Business Digest 05-20-15

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Grants awarded
Women-n-Charge awarded two $1,000 grants to women in business that it deemed to be deserving. Centennial Bank sponsored both grants, which are awarded annually.

One grant went to Dawn Easter, on behalf of Pasco Mental Health Foundation, which provides mental health services and education to Pasco residents who wouldn’t be able to access evaluation, counseling, therapy or medications any other way. The other grant went to Connie Lindsay of Liberty Manor for Veterans. The organization provides housing to veterans, specifically targeting honorably discharged veterans who have become homeless.

Women-n-Charge supports and assists women in managing their businesses more effectively.

For information, call Amanda Wright at (813) 501-7220, or email her at .

Spring mixer
East Pasco Networking Group will host its annual Spring Mixer May 20 at 6 p.m., at Blackstone Reef & Grill, 38361 County Road 54 in Zephyrhills. The guest speaker will be Bob Hatfield from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office.

This is a family oriented event with prizes and surprises. There will be a 50/50 from the first five months that will benefit the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills.

For information, call the group’s chairman, Nils Lenz, at (813) 782-9491, or email him at . Or call vice chairwoman, Rosie Paulsen at (813) 909-6965, or email her at .

Open house
Small World Pediatrics will have a ribbon cutting and open house on May 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 2527 Windguard Circle, Suite 102, in Wesley Chapel. The clinic also is welcoming a new addition to its staff, Dr. Nancy M. Silva.

This free event will have refreshments, prizes, drawings and a special guest for the kids: Mr. Tommy’s Mobile Music Bus, a music classroom on wheels with educational music sessions that are fun. Bring the family, children and neighbors.

To register or RSVP, call (813) 907-8001.

Business forum
The Lunch N’ Learn Business Forum will meet on May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Suite 105, in Wesley Chapel.

The guest speaker will be Joanie Sigal, director of business development at SJS Marketing. She specializes in email marketing and social media integration with email marketing. She will discuss how to target your market.

The $15 cost includes lunch. RSVP and prepayment are required. No walk-in seating is available.

For information, call the chamber office at (813) 994-8534.

Bank branch closing
Centennial Bank will be closing its Wesley Chapel branch at 28909 State Road 54 on Aug. 7, according to a May 5 letter sent to customers.

The bank branch at 23000 State Road 54 in Lutz is located less than 15 miles from the Wesley Chapel office. It is a full-service facility ready to meet your banking needs. Customers will be able to conduct the same transactions and receive the same customer service that has been provided at the Wesley Chapel branch, according to the letter.

For more information, contact Regional Retail Leader Melissa Wade at (352) 518-1504, or email .

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet May 26 at Rose’s Café at 38426 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.

Shahra Anderson, regional director for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is the guest speaker.

For information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491, or email him at .

Optimist club
The Optimist Club of Dade City will meet on May 26 at 6 p.m., at the First National of Pasco, 13315 U.S. Highway 301 in Dade City.

For information, email .

Ribbon cutting
Tampa Bay Jaw and Facial Surgery will host a ribbon cutting and grand opening on May 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 29164 Wesley Chapel Drive. Come and meet the physicians, Michael Barbick and Neeraj Nagella, and the center’s staff at this free event.

For information, call (813) 991-6886, or visit TBJAFS.com.

Women of Wesley Chapel
WOW, Women of Wesley Chapel, will host a breakfast meeting on June 3 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Health and Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, in the second floor conference room.

Guest speaker will be Edie Rhea, a survivor of human trafficking.

The 2015 annual WOW membership cost of $10 is due at the meeting and will cover the entire 2015 calendar year for WOW only. This doesn’t include chamber membership. No credit cards will be accepted at the door. Cash or check only.

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

Ribbon cutting
Sliding Door Roller Replacement will hold a ribbon cutting and a mixer on June 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 19121 U.S. Hwy 41 in Lutz. The store is on the east side of the highway, south of County Line Road.

For information call Michelle Chomo at (813) 909-ROLL.

Women-in-Charge
Join Women-n-Charge on June 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa, for lunch and networking.

The guest speaker will be Ginger Rockey-Johnson, the Original Spice Girl of Tampa Bay who will talk about “The Art of the Pitch.” Group members share their talents, build relationships and share their resources with other women in business.

The cost is $15 for members (Tuesday before the meeting), and $18 for all guests (and members paying after Tuesday).

Register online at Women-n-Charge.com.

For information, contact Judy at (813) 600-9848 or .

Wesley Chapel networking group
Networking for Your Success meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Country Club, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost is $5, and annual membership to the group is $79.

Land O’ Lakes to get Dairy Queen, apartments

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A Dairy Queen and a long-planned apartment complex at Terra Bella are under construction on State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, between Livingston Road and Via Bella Boulevard.

The fast-food restaurant is expected to open in two to three months, possibly by the Fourth of July weekend, according to Keith Bennett, owner of Retail Site Development.

Dairy Queen is expected to open by July 4 on a parcel next to the Terra Bella subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Dairy Queen is expected to open by July 4 on a parcel next to the Terra Bella subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

The Dairy Queen location is one of several outparcels adjacent to Terra Bella that are available for commercial development. These smaller commercial projects are benefiting from proximity to shopping malls such as The Grove in Wesley Chapel, The Shops at Wiregrass and the soon-to-open Tampa Premium Outlets, Bennett said.

“Between those three projects…you’re getting outward growth,” he said. “It’s natural for commercial development like this, with interested companies like Dairy Queen.”

The fast-food restaurant will seat about 75 people and have a drive-through window. Bennett owns additional commercial parcels adjacent to the Dairy Queen site.

Once that project is complete, he said, “We’ll look to see what we choose to do with the balance.”

Southeast Commercial also is marketing commercial outparcels fronting State Road 54 at Terra Bella.

Behind the Dairy Queen site, along Venezia Avenue, construction also is under way on Alta Terra Bella, an apartment complex of 311 garden apartments in 14 three-story buildings.

The North Carolina-based Wood Partners is building the complex as the final residential phase of Terra Bella, a community of more than 250 single-family homes.

A groundbreaking was held late in 2014. Construction is expected to finish by May 2016, but leasing could begin as early as September of this year, according to a press release from Wood Partners.

The project is projected to generate $24.5 million in local income, $2.5 million in taxes and other revenues for local governments, and nearly 380 jobs. The data provided by Wood Partners in its press release is based on a formula used by the National Association of Home Builders.

Published May 13,2015

Pasco merges county departments

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Pasco County will merge its parks and recreation department and its environmental lands program and create a new division – the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department.

The Pasco Commission approved the merger at its May 5 meeting.

Pasco County is preparing to implement a 10-year master plan to improve existing parks and add new ones. The plan was crafted with public input. (File Photo)
Pasco County is preparing to implement a 10-year master plan to improve existing parks and add new ones. The plan was crafted with public input.
(File Photo)

The restructuring comes as the county prepares to implement a master plan for county parks. The focus is on improving efficiency, better customer service and keeping up with the growth from new development.

“It all comes down to funding really,” said Cathy Pearson, assistant county administrator for public services.

The restructured department would have three managers for natural resources, fiscal and support services, and parks and recreation, who would report to a director of parks, recreation and natural resources.

“We’re going through the budget now,” Pearson said. “It’s been a challenge.”

The parks department has struggled since 2009 through lean times with budget cuts and job layoffs. To fill in financial gaps, the county began charging user fees four years ago at 11 of its parks, including $2 parking fees. Youth league teams, co-sponsored by the county, including the Central Pasco Soccer Club, the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association and the Dade City Little League, also have been charged fees.

Some commissioners would like to see an end to the parking and athletic participation fees.

“We’re taxing things that we’re trying to encourage,” said Commissioner Jack Mariano.

But losing revenues means more tough budget decisions.

Parks and recreation employees have done a “tremendous” job keeping up with services, but Pearson said, “We’re really struggling. Hopefully we’ll come up with some creative ideas.”

Revenues since 2009 have increased from about $840,000 to about $1.5 million currently. But the department’s overall budget in that same time dropped from about $10 million to about $8.9 million.

The loss of parking and athletic fees would mean about $440,000 in lost revenues, Pearson said.

During public comment at the May 5 meeting, Jeff Olsen of the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association made a plea for commissioners to restore the parks and recreation’s budget to a level more in line with budgets prior to the recession.

“A lot of money has been siphoned away from some important needs,” Olsen said.

A job description for the newly created position of natural resources manager will be advertised in the next week or so.

Along with the reorganization, Rick Buckman, the county’s current parks and recreation director, will take on a new role as park supervisor for Moon Lake Park, Robert Strickland and Robert Rees Memorial parks.

He also will provide support during the transition, said Pearson, adding that finding a natural resources manager could take months.

Another newly created position of program coordinator will not be filled until the manager is on board and can decide if the position is needed, Pearson said.

The county has budgeted $160,700 for salaries and benefits for the two positions. The manager’s salary would be in the range of $70,000 to $85,000.

The decision to step away from the director’s job was one that Buckman made on his own, said Pearson.

“It was a surprise to me,” she said.

Buckman’s new job as parks supervisor became available as the result of another employee’s retirement.

“Rick Buckman has been a tremendous asset for the county, building a tremendous team, ” said Land O’ Lakes resident Sandy Graves.

Chairman Ted Schrader also had praise for Buckman.

“I think we all realize the work Mr. Buckman has done through trying times,” he said. “You never complained. You managed to get your job done.”

Published May 13, 2015

State loan may help widen State Road 56

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The Pasco Commission agreed that a low-interest state loan to fund the widening of additional lanes on State Road 56 is worth exploring, if developers take responsibility for paying it back.

Commissioners voted unanimously to direct county administrators and staff members to gather details about the loan and prepare a letter of interest to be sent to the State Infrastructure Bank. The letter must be submitted by May 29 for state officials to consider granting a loan in its 2016 cycle.

‘I do have some reservations. People here believe growth should pay for itself.’ – Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader
‘I do have some reservations. People here believe growth should pay for itself.’ – Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader

The infrastructure bank provides loans and other assistance to public or private entities for projects that qualify for aid under federal and state law.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the matter at their May 19 meeting.

“There’s a lot of details that need to be worked out on this,” said Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein.

Goldstein and Richard Gehring, the county’s planning and development administrator, sought permission at the commissioners’ May 5 meeting to pursue the loan option.

A lot of staff time will be needed, Goldstein told commissioners.

“I think this is a regional road, not a local road, and will be a benefit for the entire county,” said Commissioner Mike Moore. “There may be options, many ways the loan can be packaged.”

But commissioners also had concerns about potential costs and who would be held accountable for repaying the loan.

“I do have some reservations,” said Chairman Ted Schrader. “People here believe growth should pay for itself.”

Gehring said the county would be the lead applicant for the loan but would collect repayment funds from developers through mobility surcharge fees and potentially special property assessments.

County officials hope the city of Zephyrhills will agree to pay 10 percent of the annual loan payments not covered by developers’ contributions.

The Zephyrhills City Council was expected to discuss the matter at its May 11 meeting.

The state loan option arose out of a February town hall meeting to discuss transportation issues. Since then county officials, State Sen. John Legg, State Rep. Danny Burgess and state highway officials have had additional meetings on the loan plan.

Current plans are to extend State Road 56 from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wiregrass Ranch to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills, as a two-lane road.

Zephyrhills’ residents and city officials have pushed for the additional lanes as a boost to the area’s economy. They also have said it would be less costly to build four lanes now rather than later.

Gehring said the agreement might be crafted along the lines of a similar one that paid for roadwork for the Villages of Pasadena Hills. In that instance, the Florida Department of Transportation and developers each paid for two of the four lanes built to accommodate increased traffic generated by the development project.

If needed, other funding sources could be tax increment financing and gasoline taxes.

However, Gehring cautioned commissioners that if these funds were used, the county might have to defer other road projects.

Commissioners said developers should bear the burden of repaying debt from the project.

“Other developers have already been paying,” said Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Published May 13, 2015

 

Business Digest 05-13-15

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Honoring small businesses
The Pasco Commission recently approved a resolution to recognize May 4 through May 8 as Small Business Week.

Commissioners also recognized the Pasco Economic Development Council, the SMARTstart Business incubators and the chambers of commerce throughout the county.

Small business makes up 99 percent of all employers in Pasco and 80 percent of the county’s private work force. More than 8,700 small businesses in the county produce more than $2.7 billion in payroll and have helped lower the county’s unemployment rate to 6.2 percent, about half the unemployment rate of five years ago, according to data provided by John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

Commissioners also approved a resolution recognizing May as Pasco County World Trade Month. Pasco has about 80 companies whose exports contribute $53 million to Pasco’s economy.

Tourism grows
The “VisitPasco” Tourism Office is headed toward a record year in tourism as Pasco County and the state of Florida enjoy increased travel to the Sunshine State. Tourism provides about 12,000 full-time jobs in Pasco, according to Tourism Manager Ed Caum. About 500,000 visitors have come to Pasco with travel spending topping $465 million annually.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is making its contribution through events such as the Kumquat Festival and other events. The annual kumquat celebration generated 400 to 500 “room nights” this year, according to John Moors, the chamber’s executive director.

“These results are indicative of the hard work and community spirit it takes to make a successful tourism destination,” Moors wrote in an email. “Congratulations to all, and a special thanks to our community.”

Dual mixer
Enjoy a dual mixer with the Pasco-Hernando Hispanic and the Central Pasco chambers of commerce on May 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Pilot Bank, 17635 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Tampa.

For information, call (813) 435-1499 or (813) 909-2722.

Business seminar
The Pasco-Hernando State College will host BizGROW2.0 on May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. The half-day conference is for entrepreneurs, start-up business owners and established business owners, and will include panel discussions, advice and inspiration on growing your business and lots of networking.

The cost is $35 per person. Registration is required.

For information, visit PascoEdc.com/events.

Free seminars
Pasco-Hernando SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) hosts free weekly business seminars. Upcoming events include “Using the Internet in Your Business” on May 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Regency Park Branch Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey. We will demystify much of the gobbledygook and walk you through an eight-step process of key activities needed to allow you to quickly leverage this technology in almost any business.

On May 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., SCORE will host “How to Really Start Your Own Business” at New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills. You will learn how to structure your business, develop a business plan and understand how to manage cash flow.

For information, contact SCORE at (727) 842-4638, or email .

Ribbon cutting
Wee Care Clinic will host a ribbon cutting on May 15 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and a grand opening on May 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 38184 Medical Center Ave., in Zephyrhills. The facility is a pediatric urgent care clinic.

For information, contact .

Luncheon
The Pasco-Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon on May 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 20735 Leonard Road in Lutz.

The cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 435-1499.

Library is all-in for robotics

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Edgar is a show-off.

He flips a large exercise ball into the air with a thumping, quick-action lever.

But the roving robot – a compact collection of digitized metal, plastic and wires – would be nothing without his human creators – the Edgar Allan Ohms Robotics Team.

The little guy- all 15 pounds or so – couldn’t even whir and zip across the floor without a human programming a computer and toggling a joystick.

Edgar the robot rests quietly after demonstrating his throwing skills to Regan Kubus, left, Lego club mother Audrey Pease, Bryce Kubus, Felix Nguyen, Maaz Khan, Danny Urbonas, Dylan Pease, Corey Drexler and library administrator Sean McGarvey. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Edgar the robot rests quietly after demonstrating his throwing skills to Regan Kubus, left, Lego club mother Audrey Pease, Bryce Kubus, Felix Nguyen, Maaz Khan, Danny Urbonas, Dylan Pease, Corey Drexler and library administrator Sean McGarvey.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

The human operators are impressed at what robots can do at their commands.

“They can do whatever you want them to,” said 15-year-old Logan Boudreau. “The way each component works with other components to complete a task is fascinating.”

Boudreau is among about 25 members of Edgar Allan Ohms, a nearly two-year-old robotics team that is sponsored by the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library.

The library’s sponsorship is unique and possibly the only one of its kind in the nation, the robotics team’s website says. So far no one has found a similar team at any state or regional competitions where most teams are based at area middle and high schools.

Library officials are taking another step forward in their commitment to robotics by creating FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League teams for youngsters who could be the next generation of engineers for the robotics team.

With help from NASA grants, the goal is to have seven teams that can compete in FIRST Lego League competitions.

Grants from NASA and the county, each for $5,000, helped seed the Edgar Allan Ohms team in 2014. Business sponsorships and about $3,000 from fundraising also paid initial costs.

“The one thing you know is there are a lot of very nice people in the community,” said Joel Croteau, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer and lead mentor for the robotics team.

Library officials kicked off the Lego efforts last month at area libraries.

“We’re trying to get a feel for how we can get this to work for us and for them,” said Alicia Haney, youth services librarian at the Land O’ Lakes branch. “We want kids to have an opportunity to get interested.”

The Danish-invented brand – Lego – is a titan among children’s games, almost a rite of passage for youngsters who love piecing together its interlocking building blocks.

Their creations can be as basic as a house or as complex as a movie-themed action figure.

Lego’s “Mindstorms” game takes imagination to the next level with creations that are programmable and mobile.

Haney said children learn the importance of precision, math and step-by-step logic.

“It’s the first step before you get to the robotics team,” she said. “It’s an eye-opening thing. They find out: This is how my game works. We’re also trying to keep it fun,” Haney said.

Lego fun piqued the interest of many on the robotics team. Miller Bacon, 15, and Boudreau remember Lego games from seventh grade.

“We’ve all had an interest in robots somewhat since we were little,” Bacon said.

Phoebe Mitchell, 15, didn’t have robotics on her radar when she went to a library-sponsored Rockus Maximus battle of the bands. But a robot got her attention. “I was allowed to drive it a couple of minutes,” she said. “I decided to try it. It’s fun.”

In 2014, the rookie team placed 43rd among 62 competitors at the FIRST Robotics Competition Orlando Regional. The theme was “Aerial Assist.” The Pasco County Commission honored the team with a resolution.

FIRST was founded by Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway.

The Edgar Allan Ohms team built a second, larger robot, dubbed 2chainz, for the 2015 competition with the theme of “Recycle Rush.”

Team robots picked up and stacked recyclable containers and totes to earn points for accomplished tasks. The Land O’ Lakes team landed in 45th spot against 66 regional and international competitors including teams from Florida, Georgia, Germany and Turkey.

“That was a good showing for a second-year team in a very competitive event,” said Croteau.

Team members attend Land O’ Lakes, Sunlake and Wiregrass Ranch high schools. Some members are home-schooled.

In April, the Land O’ Lakes library set up the county’s first “makerspace” in a former computer lab, providing 3-D printers, an auto-CAD (computer-assisted design) computer and 3-D virtual reality gaming glasses.

The robotics team is in keeping with the goal of encouraging technology and creative arts.

With the regional FIRST challenges under its belt, the team isn’t idle. After school, they tinker with Edgar and 2chainz to make them better.

Other competitions, including clashes between “battle bots,” are on the horizon. These robots are smaller, speedier and designed to flip and disable competitors.

“The thing about battle bots is to build the most destructive robot within the guidelines,” said Boudreau. “That’s the hope. The more destructive the better.”

On a recent afternoon the robotics team and the Land O’ Lakes Lego club shared space to work on their own projects.

Edgar got a brief work out, tossing the giant ball.

Lego club members took turns programming a “Mindstorms” Lego robot they had built from scratch.

“The program is real simple and easy,” said Sean McGarvey, library administrator. “If you have any experience on a computer, you can start right away. You can get really intricate.”

Dylan Pease, 11, sat at the computer tapping in instructions for the robot that would be “a little, little more complicated.”

His brother Matthew Pease is on the robotics team, and that is Dylan’s goal when he gets to the ninth grade.

Their mother Audrey Pease supports her sons’ passion for robotics.

“I hope they learn a bit about program management, time management, team work and gain leadership skills,” she said. “I watch and support, but I don’t mess with it.”

The focus was on getting the Lego robot to either pick up and stack an object, or roam across a game board in search of a brown dot.

“It’s kind of complicated, and I like it,” said 10-year-old Regan Kubus who is home-schooled with her 11-year-old brother Bryce Kubus. “Sometimes you get to build them, and that’s really cool.”

Bryce Kubus busied himself drawing a banner for the team and waiting a turn at driving the robot. “I like putting it together,” he said.

Team member Corey Drexler, 11, said he really liked programming the robots. “Basically it’s controlling the robot, like mind control.”

McGarvey said robotics is one more way libraries are expanding their knowledge base and keeping children interested in learning.

The library helps kids develop talents they didn’t know they had, McGarvey said.

“It’s a very good program. Kids learn a lot,” he said.

Published May 6, 2015

Aldi grocery store set to open on U.S. 301

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A busy section of U.S. 301 will get even busier as developers move forward with plans to build a small shopping plaza with an Aldi grocery store at the intersection of Pretty Pond Road.

Demolition crews began razing Rainbow Court and Brightside Manor mobile home parks in March. MQ Pretty Ponds LLC, a subsidiary of MQ Partners of Dallas, bought the two parcels in 2014, and gave notice to residents they would need to relocate to make way for the plaza.

No construction date has been announced.

This Aldi store is in a shopping plaza off of U.S. 41 and Bearss Avenue. A new store is planned for Zephyrhills. Company officials have said they want to open 650 new stores in America by the end of 2018. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
This Aldi store is in a shopping plaza off of U.S. 41 and Bearss Avenue. A new store is planned for Zephyrhills. Company officials have said they want to open 650 new stores in America by the end of 2018.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

For the moment, city officials and developers are grappling with how to get approval for a new traffic signal at Pretty Pond.

A traffic signal currently operates at the Townview and Merchant’s Square Shopping centers, directing traffic flow into and out of their parking lots on opposite sides of U.S. 301. But Florida Department of Transportation officials say a light at Pretty Pond can only be considered if the existing signal comes down. Two traffic signals so close together don’t meet national highway standards for safe road design, state road officials say.

Commercial and residential growth justifies installing a traffic signal at Pretty Pond to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic volume, said Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina.

Zephyr Commons, a shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store, is in the same area as the proposed Aldi. And, about 230 new apartments are due for construction, Spina said.

“Its (traffic) all got to come out somehow,” Spina said. “We have to come up with something,”

Spina said he intends to meet with owners of the shopping center to discuss options.

Aldi is a leading international retailer in the discount grocery market. Shoppers bag their own groceries and are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags. Stores are stocked with about 1,400 quick-selling food items including fresh produce, meat, dairy, wine and beer. In contrast, a typical grocer might stock as many as 30,000 items. The goal is low overhead expenses, which Aldi representatives say translates into major savings for its shoppers.

The company was founded in the mid-1940s in Germany and today operates more than 9,000 stores in 18 countries. The United States division is headquartered in Illinois.

In a news release issued this year, Aldi announced the goal of opening 650 new stores in America by the end of 2018. That represents more than a $3 billion investment in land, facilities and equipment.

Aldi was named the nation’s top discount grocery store for four consecutive years, and also one of the top three favorite grocery store chains in America, based on consumer surveys by Market Force Information Inc.

Published May 6, 2015

Bexley Ranch divided in two

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The Land O’ Lakes property will be developed as Bexley North and Bexley South

 

The Pasco Commission has made it official.

The sprawling Bexley Ranch property, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, has been split into rezoned tracts known as Bexley North and Bexley South.

Interior roads are being constructed for the development of Bexley South, a Land O’ Lakes community being developed by Newland Communities. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Interior roads are being constructed for the development of Bexley South, a Land O’ Lakes community being developed by Newland Communities.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Commissioners voted April 21 to allow the developer to do away with the original 2006 development agreement in favor of the two redrawn subdivisions.

Bexley South is under ownership and control of Newland Communities that is developing a master-planned community, similar in scale to the company’s Fishhawk Ranch and Westchase communities in Hillsborough County.

The Newland property is about 1,733 acres and includes the acquired properties of Ashley Glen and Suncoast Commercial on the north side of State Road 54, east of the Suncoast Parkway, and on north and south sides of Tower Road.

The Bexley family will retain ownership of Bexley North, which contains about 5,400 acres. The property is on the north and south of Tower Road, extending east to Suncoast and the CSX rail corridor. The planned subdivision is allowed about 11,000 single-family homes, 1,000 apartments and townhomes, about 295,000 square feet of commercial and retail, and about 537,000 square feet of offices.

Meanwhile, development preparation work continues in Bexley South.

“Newland (Communities) which has begun developing the southern portion is very excited to be in Pasco County,” said attorney Andrea Zelman, who represented both Newland and the Bexley family at the April 21 public hearing.

Site preparation and construction on the main entrance into the mixed use, residential and commercial community of Bexley South began last summer.

No buildings have yet been constructed. The community will be built in phases over 20 years.

The project includes construction of elementary, middle and high schools, an 80-acre district park and the option of an 18-hole golf course.

Bexley South’s master plan sharply reduces office space from a one-time high of about 2 million square feet to about 562,000 square feet. However, the county would allow up to 1.8 million square feet of offices, if needed.

In addition Bexley South is approved for 1,200 single-family homes, 520 apartments and townhomes, and more than 94,000 square feet of commercial and retail.

The vision also includes triggers for design and construction of roadway improvements based on housing volume and traffic analyses for both Bexley North and South. Among the developer’s obligations would be phased extensions of Tower Road and Sunlake Boulevard, linkage of Bexley Village Drive from State Road 54 to Mentmore Boulevard, a roundabout at Mentmore and Bexley Village, and construction of the intersection at Tower and Ballantrae Road.

The master plan anticipates neighborhood centers and pedestrian-friendly amenities including common areas, green spaces and trails.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey made a plea that developers design trails that “meander” and don’t merely follow a roadway, such as Tower Road, in a straight line.

Put it far enough from the curb that it is safe for families, she said.

“When a trail meanders,” Starkey said, “it’s a much better experience.”

Published May 6, 2015

Kohl’s and Culver’s submit site plans for Cypress Creek Town Center

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Kohl’s is the latest retailer to schedule a sit-down with Pasco planners as a future tenant at the Cypress Creek Town Center at State Road 56 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The store’s conceptual plan on file with the county shows a 55,000- square-foot building at the same intersection where construction crews are hard at work on the 1.1 million square-foot Tampa Premium Outlets.

Cypress Creek Town Center at the interchange of Interstate 75 and State Road 56 is getting tenant interest from Kohl’s department store, Chick-fil-A, Cheddar’s Casual Café and Culver’s. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Cypress Creek Town Center at the interchange of Interstate 75 and State Road 56 is getting tenant interest from Kohl’s department store, Chick-fil-A, Cheddar’s Casual Café and Culver’s.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

According to county records, representatives of the national department store chain were expected to attend a pre-application meeting scheduled for April 28.

No official announcement on Kohl’s presence at the proposed outdoor mall has been made. Kohl’s has stores in Brandon, Lutz and New Port Richey.

A Kohl’s representative wasn’t available for comment.

Other tenants who have indicated intentions to open at the mall are Costco, Chick-fi-A, Cheddar’s Casual Café and Culver’s.

Chick-fil-A plans a 4,791-square-foot fast-food restaurant at Cypress Creek with 132 seats. And Cheddar’s Casual Café is proposing an 8,066-square-foot restaurant with its signature fresh, made-from-scratch menu items including croissants, salmon filets and hamburgers.

Costco Wholesale Inc., filed its plans in December for a 153,000-square-foot discount membership warehouse club. The retail giant was second behind Walmart in 2013 among the top 10 of 250 global retailers.

Culver’s likely will have a mid-June groundbreaking and a fall opening timed with the opening of the outlet mall.

This will be a second location for franchise owner Marty Roeske, who opened his first restaurant in Wisconsin nearly 15 years ago. He and his wife are moving to Wesley Chapel, while their son operates the Wisconsin restaurant.

“When I dream of a location, I’m thinking about access, population and incomes,” Roeske said. “I can’t think of any characteristic that isn’t there.”

The employment base, with area high schools nearby, also is strong, said Roeske, who has searched for more than two years for a Florida location.

Tampa was on the radar, but Wesley Chapel won out.

“We warmed up to Wesley Chapel quickly,” he said. “It’s so new and has so much energy. It’s only going to go up.”

He is proposing a 4,235-square-foot restaurant at Cypress Creek with 110 seats. A bicycle rack and a covered patio also are part of the plans.

The fast-food chain offers its signatures “Butterburgers,” fried chicken, sandwiches and salads.

In addition to this location, a different Culver’s franchise owner also has submitted plans for a 4,242-square-foot restaurant at The Shoppes at Trinity Lakes. A pre-application meeting took place on April 6, according to county records.

Currently Culver’s has 541 restaurants in 22 states. The Wisconsin-based chain is expanding its operations in Florida. In the past two years, 11 franchised locations have opened in the state. The first was in Naples; two are in Tampa.

“It’s a hot bed,” said Paul Pitas, Culver’s spokesman. “We have a lot of folks who are transplants from the Midwest. They’ve moved there, or they are snowbirds, but they definitely know the brand.”

Published May 6, 2015

Business Digest 05-06-15

By

New law partner
Rogers Towers, one of Florida’s oldest full-service commercial law firms, is expanding its Tampa Bay office to include attorney and shareholder J. Scott Slater. He joins L. Gavan Grant, the firm’s resident shareholder and manager, and shareholder Gregory F. Lunny.

The law office, at 29152 Chapel Park Drive in Wesley Chapel, opened in 2014. Slater practices in litigation and civil trial work.

Rogers Tower was founded in 1905 and has eight Florida locations including in Jacksonville, Orlando and St. Augustine.

For information, call the law office at (813) 995-6444.

Spanish dining
100 Montaditos Wiregrass is serving up a taste of Spain at The Shops at Wiregrass. The restaurant recreates the 19th century feel of a Spanish tavern, serving its signature Montaditos – a crunchy Spanish roll filled with traditional ingredients such as Serrano ham, tortillas and chorizo sauce. The company was founded in 2000 and has locations in Miami, West Palm Beach and Orlando.

100 Montaditos is located at 2000 Piazza Ave., at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

For information, visit us.100montaditos.com.

New business
Campus Gear will be hosting a grand opening and ribbon cutting on May 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 32745 State Road 52 in San Antonio. The new business will offer Saint Leo University Official products along with other collegiate items. The ribbon cutting is set for 5:45 p.m.

For information, call Campus Gear at (813) 783-4364.

Lennar promotion
Lennar has promoted building executive Jeffrey A. Morin to vice president of sales for its Tampa division. Morin will develop strategies for achieving sales goals and manage the sales teams in Lennar’s Pasco County communities.

Morin has more than 17 years of business management experience, with 12 years in the homebuilding industry. He has had key positions at Lennar for more than five years in marketing, purchasing and most recently as planning manager creating a department that oversaw land development and grand openings in more than 50 new communities in central Florida.

Lennar’s Tampa division, which builds new single-family and townhomes priced from the $100,000 to the $400,000, is currently building in 39 communities in the Tampa Bay market.

Chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on May 7 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd. Zephyrhills Economic Development Council is the sponsor.

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

Open house
Oasis Pregnancy Center Wesley Chapel will have an open house on May 11 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., to celebrate the center’s second anniversary. There will be tours, food, fun and friends. Bring business cards for special drawings.

Oasis is located at 5854 Argerian Drive, Suite 103, Wesley Chapel.

For information, call the center at (813) 618-5037.

Dade City Optimist
The Optimist Club of Dade City will meet on May 12 at 6 p.m., at the First National of Pasco, 13315 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

For information, call (352) 206-9370, or email to .

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet May 12 at Rose’s Café at 38426 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.

Kurt Browning, Pasco County’s school superintendent, is the guest speaker.

For information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491, or email him at .

Business tips
Anyone looking for tips to improve their business is invited to Business Link on May 13 at 7:30 a.m., at Quality Inn & Suites, 6815 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills. The gathering offers tools, tips and networking to strengthen your business. A complimentary breakfast will be provided.

For information, contact Rebecca at (352) 588-1356, or email .

Business seminar
The Pasco-Hernando State College will host BizGROW2.0 on May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass. The half-day conference is for entrepreneurs, start up business owners and established business owners, and will include panel discussions, advice and inspiration on growing your business and lots of networking.

The cost is $30 per person, or $35 per person after May 12. Registration is required. For information, visit PascoEdc.com/events.

Breakfast meeting
Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host its Wednesday Morning Networking on May 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The cost is $7 and includes breakfast.

There will be a short networking presentation followed by an opportunity for each attendee to do a “30- second commercial.”

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

Taste of Boston relocates
Taste of Boston plans to relocate from 1944 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Wiregrass area, to a shopping plaza at 1930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz. The seafood restaurant will close its location on Bruce B. Downs on May 31, according to manager Ashley Walker.

By mid-June, Taste of Boston will reopen on Land O’ Lakes with more space, an outdoor patio and live music on weekends.

Wesley Chapel networking group
Networking for Your Success meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Country Club, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost is $5, and annual membership to the group is $79.