The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz News

Input sought on Sunset/U.S. 41 improvements

By

Hillsborough County wants to hear the public’s thoughts on a proposed improvement at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane, in Lutz.

The county is conducting a two-week public comment period, through a virtual engagement process, according to a county news release.

The feedback runs until Aug. 2.

The proposed improvements at U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane would add a turn lane and updated traffic signals.

The $1.6 million project is expected to begin in the summer of 2022 and be complete in the summer of 2023.

The project also calls for pedestrian and bicycle safety enhancements, including sidewalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, otherwise known as ADA.

Residents and commercial property owners can review the proposed changes and are invited to give feedback.

To learn more and share your thoughts, visit HCFLGov.net/HCEngage at any time through Aug. 2.

Published July 28, 2021

Gas station rezoning requested delayed in Lutz

By

A rezoning request that would clear the way for a gas station, car wash and convenience store in Lutz has been delayed — again.

The issue was set to be heard on June 14, but has been pushed back until Aug. 16 to allow the applicant to make a correction on the site plan for the project.

Cami Corbett, with the law firm of Hill Ward Henderson, represents the applicant RKM Development.

“We realized late last week that we had an error on our site plan, with respect to screening along U.S. 41 and that is a change that by code must be made prior to the site plan deadline,” Corbett said.

The applicant failed to meet the deadline, necessitating a continuance, she explained.

“We are also hoping to have an opportunity to meet with some of the members of the community who have filed letters of opposition in the last couple of weeks. They came in sort of in the last two weeks and we haven’t had time to meet with them, so we’re hoping we can utilize this time to meet with them,” Corbett said.

Lutz resident Michelle Parks wanted to know the likelihood of the request actually being heard on Aug. 16, given the fact it has been repeatedly continued in the past.

She also asked how the applicant plans to get in touch with interested members of the community.

A zoning official said there is a time limit regarding continuances, but he wasn’t able to immediately identify when that would expire, if for some reason the hearing is continued beyond Aug. 16.

Corbett said: “We will be sending out a notice, not only to our notice list and the HOAs (homeowner associations) on our notice list, but also to anyone who has registered an objection into the record.”

She said anyone who is not yet part of the record but who wants to be contacted, can ask the county staff for her information and contact her directly.

“We would be happy to meet with anyone who wants to meet,” Corbett said.

The new hearing date is set for Aug. 16 at 6 p.m., in the Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., in Tampa.

The applicant is seeking to rezone the 2.6-acre parcel at 18601 U.S. 41, to allow a 4,650-square-foot convenience store and 16 gas pumps, as well as a car wash.

The parcel is adjacent to an existing Walgreens store.

The land, owned by Lutz Realty and Investment LLC, currently is zoned for agricultural and single-family conventional use. The request calls for rezoning the site to become a planned development zoning.

The request has attracted opposition, with opponents voicing objections in emails, which are included in the application’s case file.

The request also was discussed during a community meeting on June 2 at the Lutz Train Depot.

Opponents claim that the request is contrary to the Lutz Community Plan.

They also cite concerns about increasing traffic at the intersection of Sunset Lane and U.S. 41, which they said already poses dangers for motorists.

Concerns also were expressed about potential water contamination, negative impacts on property values, noise and possible negative impacts to the environment.

Those objecting also say another gas station isn’t needed, and some said they won’t patronage the business, if it is built.

While opponents are calling for denial of the request, planners from Hillsborough County’s Planning Commission have found the request to be consistent with the county’s long-range plan.

“Overall, Planning Commission staff finds this proposed use and intensity to be compatible with the surrounding area,” according to a report by Planning Commission planner David Hey.

“The proposed development also fulfills the intent of the Lutz Community Plan,” Hey added to the report that’s included in the application case file.

After the zoning hearing master considers the request, the hearing master’s recommendation will go to the Hillsborough County Commission, which has final jurisdiction over land use and zoning issues.

Published June 30, 2021

Change would allow 11 more homes in subdivision

By

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change that would allow 11 more single-family homes in the Orange State Grove, north of County Line Road, west of Livingston Road, in Lutz.

The request also received a recommendation of approval from county planners and no one spoke for or against the request at the Pasco County Planning Commission’s May 6 meeting.

The applicant is seeking a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment to change the land use designation from three dwellings per acre to nine dwellings per acre, on approximately 2.32 developable acres.

The existing Orange State master-planned development permitted 206 residential units. However, with the additional 11 single-family residential units, a land use change is needed to support the additional density.

Planners say the amendment will allow five more units than the existing density would permit.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

Published May 19, 2021

Montessori education uses a sensorial approach to learning

By

The Lutz Montessori School, which officially opens on June 1, will provide a sensorial-based approach to education for children ages 2 through 6.

Initially, the school will offer a series of weeklong summer camps, each featuring a different theme that combines learning and fun.

Anisha and Pratik Patel are owners of the new Lutz Montessori School. The couple also owns Montessori at Trinity Oaks. (B.C. Manion)

The school will begin its academic year in the fall, following the Montessori method of education.

“We are a school, not a day care,” said Pratik Patel, who owns the school along with his wife, Anisha.

Anisha explained the school’s mission: “Our whole goal is to inspire a love for learning. We feel that kids, at this young age, if they love learning by using these Montessori materials, they’ll take that love of learning into their academic years — elementary school, middle school, high school and onward.

“I think the most unique thing about us is that we’re a sensorial-based curriculum.

“Everything is hands-on. That’s how little kids explore and learn,” she said.

Crystal Sithong is the director of the new Lutz Montessori School, at 5604 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road. She is holding a fish that has removable pieces, which is used to help the children learn about different parts of the fish’s body.

Crystal Sithong, the school’s director, explained that Montessori uses a teaching approach that combines children in age groups for learning.

It also is self-paced learning, allowing children who are learning at a faster rate to move ahead, while granting others more time to learn, if needed.

“If they’re ready for the next set of work, we’re going to advance them at their pace,” Anisha said.

Children also are given choices in which instructional materials they use to learn particular lessons.

“So, if we say we’re going to work on a science puzzle, we don’t say, ‘You have to work on the horse,’ and give them no choice.

“They have the freedom to go over to the science puzzle section and pick which science puzzle they’d like to work on,” Anisha said.

The exterior of the Lutz Montessori School.

Different teaching and learning approaches are used, too.

Instructional materials are used to help children visualize abstract concepts.

For example, bead chains are used to teach mathematics.

“If they’re learning the number 16, they’ll take a 10-bead chain and a six-bead chain and put it together, so that makes 16. It makes it more concrete — what 16 is,” Anisha said.

Children also have freedom of movement: They don’t have to sit in the same chair all day.

They have rugs they use to sit on the floor or lay down, while doing their work.

In addition to the Lutz Montessori School, the Patels also operate another — The Montessori at Trinity Oaks.

To find out more about Lutz Montessori School, call the school for a tour (813-475-6030), visit its website (LutzMontessori.com), or attend the open house on May 15.

Lutz Montessori School Open House
Details: Learn about the Montessori method of education that is now being offered at a new school geared for children ages 2 through 6.
Where: 5604 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz
When: May 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Who: All are welcome
Info: Call 813-475-6030, or visit LutzMontessori.com.

Published May 12, 2021

Local company is expanding with 100,000-square-foot building

By

A new 100,000-square-foot building, representing an $8 million investment in Pasco County, is being built in Compark 75 — just off Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The expansion was celebrated in an April 9 groundbreaking ceremony, with Jerry Flatt, CEO of The Soule Co., offering remarks about the company’s expansion. He also expressed appreciation for the role that the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., the Pasco County Commission and Pasco County government have played in helping the company to thrive and grow.

Pasco County Commissioners Mike Moore and Kathryn Starkey joined representatives from the Pasco County Economic Development Council Inc., Pasco County government and The Soule Co., to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony last month. A new 100,000-square-foot building is being constructed by The Soule Co. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.)

The company — which manufactures packaging materials and also medical foam cushioning — is located at 4322 Pet Lane, in Lutz. That facility will continue operations and will be joined by the new 100,000-square-foot building that is being constructed nearby.

The Soule Co., has two divisions: One fabricates packaging products made to customer specifications; the other fabricates disposable foam positioning products for the medical community.

The professional packaging division distributes a full line of packaging and shipping supplies, including corrugated boxes, poly bags, strapping, stretch films, and tapes, among others.

The medical division works closely with medical entities to design, develop, manufacture and distribute products that assist in patient care, recovery and healing.

The Pasco County Commission approved an economic incentive package worth $177,172 in August 2020, to support the company’s plans.

The incentive package includes $50,000 for creating 25 new jobs; a five-year reimbursement of tangible taxes, which totals $107,171; and, an employee training grant of $20,000 for Pasco-based employees.

The project is expected to generate $4.69 million annually in gross county product, county officials have estimated.

Flatt gave the crowd a brief overview of the company’s history, during the groundbreaking celebration that was recorded and can be viewed on the Pasco EDC’s Facebook Page.

This is what the new 100,000-square-foot building, now under construction by The Soule Co., will look like at completion. The company expects to add at least 25 new jobs.

When the company was established in 1957, it originally produced insulation and decorative foam, such as the type used by florists, the company executive said.

Shortly before 1980, Soule shifted to the packaging industry, he said.

“Then, in about 1986, we began our medical division, and right now, the packaging division and the medical division are working under the same roof, at the facility that’s right around the corner here on Pet Lane,” Flatt said.

He told those gathered at the ceremony: “It’s an exciting time for Soule company, with the expansion of our operation.”

The foam products produced by the company’s medical division is used to position patients and keep them safe during surgeries, he said.

“That part of our business is growing very rapidly,” he said, adding that’s because “we’re able to sell that product all over the country.”

He continued: “We typically have agreements with group purchasing organizations and under those organizations, they have a great number of hospitals. They do the purchasing and get the best deals for those hospitals.

“So that’s where the expansion is needed right now,” Flatt said.

The company has many agreements in place, but needs to hold back on them a little while, until it is able to take on the additional business.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said he’s pleased to see additional jobs being created in Pasco.

County leaders want to create employment opportunities locally, so workers won’t have to leave their communities to drive for work in Hillsborough or Pinellas counties, Moore said.

Mike Bishop, director of stakeholder engagement for Pasco EDC, said “the expansion work with the Soule company is one of the most important things that we do at the EDC.”

The economic development agency seeks to help companies get started, become established and expand, Bishop said.

Published May 05, 2021

New Lutz hospital specializes in rehabilitation services

By

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of North Tampa — a 50-bed hospital specializing in helping people recover from illnesses and accidents — opened earlier this month at 3840 Atmore Grove Road in Lutz.

“We are an inpatient rehab hospital,” said Chris Ballish, area business development director for the hospital, which is located in the general vicinity of Idlewild Baptist Church.

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of North Tampa opened on April 6. It offers a variety of rehabilitation services. (B.C. Manion)

The facility provides a hospital level of care for acute rehabilitation, Ballish said, noting patients must meet specific criteria to be admitted.

For instance, they must require medical supervision by a physician and must be able to manage the recommended therapy.

They also must require around-the-clock nursing availability, Ballish said.

In general, the facility serves stroke patients, orthopedic patients, spinal cord patients, amputees, and patients with neurological disorders, he said.

Encompass Health is a national company, with 139 locations.

It has facilities in Spring Hill, Ocala and Altamonte Springs— but this is the company’s first new facility during the past five years in Florida, Ballish said.

When the facility is operating at its full capacity, it is expected to have more than 200 employees, he added.

Ballish said the company chose the Lutz location because of a need for its services, particularly in the rapidly growing area.

There’s a need for this level of care, he explained. “It’s about serving patients that need our services.

“Our mission is to get patients as independent as possible, and get them back into the community,” Ballish said. The average length of stay for this type of care is 10 days to 14 days, he said.

Patients are engaged in high-level therapy, undergoing therapy sessions, and receiving care from nurses and physicians.

“Our doctors that are attending are rehab doctors, rehab specialists.

“And then we have all of the consultants available. We have cardiology, pulmonology, neurology. All of the specialties are available,” Ballish added.

The 52,000-square-foot facility has 50 private rooms for patients.

The 52,000-square-foot facility also has the highest level of technology available to support the efforts of therapists, as they work with patients, he said.

“It’s astounding the type of technology that’s available,” Ballish said.

Therapy services outlined in a hospital brochure include:

  • Occupational therapy, which includes self-care skills for activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating and preparing foods. Therapists address cognitive (thought) and perceptual (visual) deficits.
  • Physical therapy: Focuses on such things as helping patients to walk; teaching wheelchair transfer techniques; and providing orthotic/prosthetic device evaluation and training
  • Respiratory therapy: Helping patients with respiratory muscle weaknesses or a susceptibility to respiratory difficulties
  • Speech/language pathology: Improves communications skills through basic cognitive retraining, increasing functional independence with decision-making, reasoning, memory and swallowing retraining.

The hospital also has a gym, with all sorts of equipment, to help patients in their rehabilitation. And, it has a room set up to mimic a patient’s home — providing them a chance to practice returning to the tasks of daily life, such as getting out of bed, using appliances, bathing and so on.

The North Tampa hospital serves a large market generally stretching from Wesley Chapel down to Riverview, over to Brandon and out to North Tampa, Ballish said.

As the facility ramps up to full capacity, the hospital intends to get involved with area chambers of commerce and to create partnerships with programs that prepare health care workers, Ballish said.

It also intends to offer a variety of support groups, such as stroke support groups, brain injury support groups and amputee support groups, he said.

Since opening, the hospital has enjoyed a warm reception, Ballish said.

“We’re very pleased and overwhelmed by the response of the community, so far,” he said.

Published April 21, 2021

Pasco board delays decision on land use change

By

The Pasco County Commission has delayed a decision regarding a controversial request that would clear the way to consider commercial uses at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Estates.

The request is being vigorously contested by residents in Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines subdivision, in Lutz.

Opponents object to allowing a change in the land use designation that would open the door to a rezoning request that would allow a litany of commercial uses.

Kiddie Campus University Inc., the land owner and applicant, is represented by attorney Barbara Wilhite.

Two previous efforts to gain approvals for a day care at the site were denied.

The current effort is to first obtain a land use change to allow commercial uses, and then to get a zoning change for the 1.67-acre site.

It is not unusual for the sale of property to be contingent on the successful acquisition of land use or zoning change.

Sharon Hunnewell-Johnson, of 17300 Riverstone Drive, told commissioners she’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.

“I do know firsthand, I was called by the person that I believe Barbara (Wilhite) represents, and I was told this was going to be a gas station/car wash. We cannot have a gas station/car wash within our neighborhood,” Hunnewell-Johnson said.

Speakers told commissioners that they worry that contaminants from a gas station could seep into their groundwater supply. They said the neighborhoods rely on well water for drinking water, as well as watering their fruit trees.

The neighborhoods were represented by Todd Pressman, a private consultant, Patricia Ortiz, a private planning consultant and attorney Luke Lirot, in opposing the request.

Numerous neighbors — sporting red T-shirts in a sign of solidarity — appeared via a remote feed at the March 23 public hearing to voice their objections. A number of letters of opposition also were read into the record.

Ortiz said the request represents a commercial intrusion into an established residential neighborhood.

Neighbors told commissioners that they don’t oppose use of the site, but want the use to be less intense.

Pressman also presented petitions signed by more than 140 people opposed to the request.

Lirot said that neighbors oppose potential uses that could affect their property values and their quality of life.

“If it’s a doctor’s office, or something else that wouldn’t be open deep into the evening, with noise and smoke and fumes, and things of that nature — if it’s a professional type of development — there’s no problem whatsoever.

“Nobody wants to deny the property owner of the use and benefit of that particular property,” Lirot said.

He asked the county board to consider a restriction that will limit the options available only to uses that would not have an adverse effect on the neighborhood.

Wilhite told commissioners that the proposed use is in keeping with the county’s long-range land plan.

The location fronts on State Road 54, which is a six-lane arterial highway. The site also is at a signalized intersection, which is ¾-miles east of the Suncoast Parkway.

She cited a policy in the county’s land use plan that specifically directs where the board wants commercial land uses to occur, and this location meets that criteria.

Commissioners said they want to ensure that buffering is adequate to protect the neighboring properties.

Commissioner Mike Moore asked: “Any chance counsel on both sides could maybe get together, put their heads together a little bit, and come up with a compromise between the two and bring this back?

“Just a thought, a suggestion. I don’t know if both sides are willing to have those discussions,” Moore said.

Moore said he has concerns for the house that’s across the street and for the house that abuts the property. He also questioned if there is sufficient room to meet buffering requirements.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also raised concerns about protecting nearby properties.

Starkey said “the devil is in the details” and noted there are plenty of examples of commercial uses adjacent to residential neighborhoods around the county.

Moore asked Wilhite if she was willing to meet with the other side.

She responded: “Commissioner Moore, you know I will always have conversations. I’m happy to have conversations.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed with Moore’s suggestion to ask the two sides to meet, to see if they can work something out.

Mariano told Pressman: “Mr. Pressman, I strongly recommend, take the opportunity to meet with them, otherwise, we vote on it now. We don’t know where it’s going to go yet.”

Pressman replied: “I hear you commissioner, and with that, I don’t think we have a choice but to meet and talk. But I’m going to say again, you’re putting the onus on the applicant for site plan and buffering. You need to put the onus on use.”

Starkey told Pressman: “I disagree.”

After both sides agreed to meet, the board voted to continue the land use request until April 20. The companion rezoning request also has been delayed. It is now set for May 18.

Published March 31, 2021

Lutz neighbors oppose commercial rezoning

By

Residents of the Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines subdivision, in Lutz, are banding together to fight a proposed commercial rezoning at the entrance of their communities.

Kiddie Campus University Inc., is seeking to change residential zoning to general commercial on a 1.67-acre site, on the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Drive.

Area residents who oppose the change were represented by Todd Pressman, a private consultant, during a March 4 meeting of the Pasco County Planning Commission.

Pressman cited a report by a private planner, commissioned to review the request. The planner raised issues with the compatibility of a commercial use — in an area characterized by residential development.

“A request came through for this property for a day care and preschool in January ’11. That was denied 7-0, by this board. The same request came through one year later, for preschool, and that was denied,” Pressman said.

“This request would allow a gas station operating on this property. That would be nothing less than devastating for this community,” said Pressman, who presented petitions signed by 140 people against the request.

Residents from Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines voiced objections, too.

They said a driveway from the proposed commercial site would have access onto Meadowbrook Drive —  a street they claim is too narrow to handle the traffic a commercial project would generate.

One opponent also raised concerns about the potential long-term environmental damage — from droplets of gasoline that seep into the ground — if a gas station is allowed to locate at the site.

The communities rely on private wells for drinking water.

Other residents pointed out the problem of delivery trucks having a hard time getting out of the neighborhood, if they make a wrong turn, because the streets are so narrow.

Despite those objections, county planners have recommended approval of both a land use change and a rezoning. Both changes are needed to clear the way for a commercial use.

If the land use change is approved, the applicant will have to meet buffering requirements that exceed those normally required by the land use code, county planners said.

Barbara Wilhite, an attorney representing the applicant, noted that the site is at a signalized  intersection, on a six-lane arterial highway, three-quarters miles east of the Suncoast Parkway.

“I think the neighbors are clear that they will object to any use other than residential,” Wilhite said, but given the site’s location at the intersection, on a six-lane arterial highway, she added, “this is absolutely not the place for a residential use.”

Wilhite also noted that the county board has adopted a comprehensive plan that specifically directs where it wants commercial land uses.

“This application strictly complies with that direction,” Wilhite said.

Charles Grey, planning commission chairman, said “I try to always put myself in the position of both property owners. The residents and the person who wants to develop the property. It’s always a balance of property rights.”

“I’m a strong proponent of property rights.

“I do think we need to provide some type of protection for the residents who live in that area. They are very, very close to this property.

“I certainly wouldn’t want people walking back and forth, from a 7-Eleven, for example, to my home, walk across my property. I know how that gets. I deal with that all of the time,” Grey said.

Planning commissioner Peter Hanzel said he would prefer to see a less intense commercial use.

“When you go to a C2 (general commercial), you open a large variety of facilities that can go there. Perhaps that’s what the residents are concerned about, going to a C2. Is there a possibility that it could go to a C1,” he said, which would limit the potential list of uses.

Wilhite responded: “My answer to that is that they opposed the day care. They clearly said today that they want it to remain a residential use. This is not a place to underutilize property.”

Planning commission Chris Poole asked about what type of use was planned.

Wilhite said a gas station is one of the permitted uses in the requested zoning district.

Grey wanted to know if the planning commission could see the buffering plan before voting on the request.

Brad Tippin, the county’s development review manager, said buffering is typically determined during the site plan review process — after the use of the site is known and the orientation of the building, parking lot and other elements are known.

In this case, because of the land use requirement, a greater degree of buffering would be required, Tippin said.

But, Grey said he would like to see the actual plans.

Tippin said creating the buffering plan before sufficient details are known could result in a less-effective plan.

Poole suggested voting on the land use plan, but delaying the zoning request until more details are available on the buffering.

Wilhite said she would be happy to work with the county on a buffering plan, and could include language that would provide flexibility to adjust the plan, if necessary.

A board majority voted to recommend approval of the land use change. The board continued the rezoning request until April 1.

Published March 17, 2021

Celebrating one life, saving another

By

The day began with a festive feel.

Christine O’Connor, her husband Paul and their son Sean, of Lutz, had gone to an 80th birthday party for Christine’s mom.

Great care had been taken to ensure that Connie Kubiak’s milestone celebration on July 26 would be special.

A dozen people — mostly immediate family — were at the birthday gathering at Connie and Carl Kubiak’s home, in Tampa’s Dana Shores.

Paul O’Connor stands next to his brother-in-law, Chuck Kubiak. When Kubiak went into sudden cardiac arrest, O’Connor, an Eagle Scout, performed CPR — saving his brother-in-law’s life. (Courtesy of Christine O’ Connor)

The house was decked out with 80th birthday balloons, Christine and her sister-in-law Kelly Kubiak had catered the meal, and there were special cupcakes, too.

Christine had spent hours painstakingly putting together a power point presentation — showcasing her mom’s life —timed to a soundtrack of Jimmy Buffet tunes.

“That was really moving for my mom,” Christine said.

It had been a great day, and the party was wrapping up — with immediate family members saying their goodbyes.

Christine was chatting with her brother, Chuck Kubiak, when suddenly he said he felt lightheaded, and he fell into a recliner.

She thought he’d passed out. She tried to get a response, but couldn’t stir him.

“Then, all of a sudden, his color changed. I turned to Paul and I said, ‘He is not breathing.’”

When Paul heard that, he said, “I said to myself, ‘It’s go time.’

“I yelled over to my niece (Brooke Kubiak) to call 911,” Paul said.

He asked his nephew, Brian Kubiak, to go get his keychain. That’s where Paul always keeps a CPR face shield.

“I went to the other side of Chuck,” Paul said. ““I checked his carotid (artery) for a pulse. No pulse.”

Paul, Christine and her brother Craig Kubiak laid Chuck out on the floor.

“I started CPR on him, between CPR compressions and mouth-to-mouth, went back and forth about three times,” Paul said.

As he was doing mouth-to-mouth, he turned Chuck’s head and could hear gurgling.

“He started aspirating a little bit,” Paul said.

“I just flipped him up on the side. He was breathing, but it was very labored,” Paul said.

“Probably the whole scenario was around 5 minutes or so, 5-7 minutes,” Paul added, referring to when he began CPR and when emergency responders arrived.

Chuck was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital’s main campus in Tampa, where he received care and a defibrillator was installed in his chest. He was discharged nearly a week later.

Since then, Chuck has had visits with his cardiologist and had a return trip to the hospital because of blood clots. He remains on medication and said his prognosis is good.

Paul, who is an Eagle Scout, said his Scout training prepared him to do what needed to be done.

He recently received a Medal of Merit award from Boy Scouts of America.

“When it happens, it happens really, really quickly. You have to be prepared for it,” Paul said, in a video taken during the medal presentation in a Lutz Troop 12 ceremony.

“As that gurney went out the front door, he was breathing. I did my job,” Paul said.

“It’s an honor, but then again, I’m an Eagle Scout. I was doing what I was trained to do,” Paul added, after receiving the award from Troop 12 Scoutmaster Paul Evans.

Paul and Christine are both leaders in Troop 12 and their son, Sean, is a Life Scout — preparing to seek the rank of Eagle Scout — in the same troop.

Christine’s family is both deeply impressed and enormously grateful for Paul’s actions.

“It was very surreal, very surreal,” Christine said.

Chuck, who lives in Wesley Chapel, was at the party with his 20-year-old twins, Spencer and Mackenzie. His wife, Lavon, couldn’t attend because the family’s dog was not doing well.

Paul O’Connor, left, stands with Troop 12 Scoutmaster Paul Evans, after an awards ceremony where O’Connor was honored for using CPR skills he learned in scouting to save the life of his brother-in-law, Chuck Kubiak.

Chuck knows how lucky he is to be alive.

“I had what’s called a sudden cardiac arrest. It’s 95% fatal, from what I understand,” he said.

“I was fortunate to be in the right place, at the right time, when it happened, that’s for sure,” Chuck added, because Paul was there and knew what to do.

“It’s important that people not only know CPR, but that they do it correctly, because it makes a big difference, I think, in the outcome,” said Chuck, who learned his cardiac arrest was caused by an enlarged heart, possibly the result of a virus.

In the right place, at the right time
After nearly dying, Chuck said, he’s more aware of the fragile nature of life.

“It just shows you how quick life can come and go,” Chuck said. “Once I went down, it was like the off-switch was hit.”

The experience has made him reflect about how he spends time.

“Life goes by so fast — try to slow down a little,” Chuck said, noting that his brush with death has served to remind him “not be so driven to just work, work, work.”

Christine said she’s happy that they were still at the party when Chuck needed help.

“Why did it happen that way? There’s a reason for everything.

“We could have been gone. We typically leave early on Sunday nights. And we could have left already. Or, Chuck could have been in the car with the kids.

“I’m just grateful that everybody was in the right place at the right moment, and my brother is here with us today,” Christine said.

For his part, Paul hopes more people will receive training to become certified in CPR.

“I’ve been through CPR training a number of times,” Paul said.

“Now, I’m a big proponent for the troop. Even the folks that I work with.

“It can really hit close to home,” Paul said.

Published February 17, 2021

400 apartments proposed on Wesley Chapel Boulevard

By

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change to the county’s comprehensive plan that would allow consideration of up to 400 apartments to be developed on 28.2 acres, at the intersection of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Hay Road.

Planning commissioners recommended approval, despite objections from commissioners Peter Hanzel and Roberto Saez.

The proposed change of the comprehensive plan is the first step in the process to permit the proposed development. A zoning change would be required, too.

The Pasco County Commission has final jurisdiction over land use and zoning changes.

The current land use designations on the property allow up to six dwellings per acre, and also light industrial uses. The proposed change would allow up to 24 dwellings per acre.

County planners recommended approval of the request, which they say will yield about 13 dwellings per acre on the land because it has a significant amount of wetlands.

The county’s comprehensive plan does not have a category between RES-12, which allows up to 12 units per acre, and RES-24, which allows 24 units per acre.

In this case, the applicant has agreed to cap the density at 400 units, as a condition in its  planned request for a master-planned unit development rezoning.

In the agenda background materials, county planners said the request is supported by the comprehensive plan as “an appropriate transitional land use between the single-family residential development to the north and zoned multifamily district to the west.”

They also noted that a proposed employment center use abuts the property, and that generally encourages higher densities to support that type of use.

Joel Tew, an attorney representing the applicant, said “this site is entirely appropriate for multifamily development.”

Hanzel objected.

“We have an overabundance of apartments in that area. There is no need for another apartment complex out there,” Hanzel said.

He voiced concerns about the county having an oversaturation of apartments, creating the prospect for problems down the road, when “huge apartment complexes will begin to deteriorate.”

Planning Commissioner Michael Cox said: “I personally think there are plenty of apartments right now.”

But, he added: “The fact is that this request is consistent with the comp plan. Ultimately, a decision to deny would have to be defensible in court.”

Planning Commission Charles Grey agreed: “When we deny something like this, we need a leg to stand on.”

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore frequently has pressed for less apartment development in the county, contending that Pasco already has more than enough.

Cox said if the county wants less apartment development, it needs to change its comprehensive plan to reflect that.

Published January 13, 2021