The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Annexations prompt changes to Pasco election precincts

By

The Pasco County Commission approved numerous changes to election precinct lines, as submitted by Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley, during its Nov. 14 meeting.

Here are the changes, as explained by Corley, in a letter to the county board, contained in the board’s agenda packet:

The following precincts have modifications:

  • Precinct 6 and Precinct 115: Precinct 69 previously was split by an annexation to the City of Zephyrhills. The portion of Precinct 69 that was subject to the annexation was combined into Precinct 6. However, due to contiguity issues, it will be combined with Precinct 115.
  • Precinct 114 and Precinct 74: Precinct 114 was split by an annexation to the City of St. Leo. The portion of Precinct 114 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 74.
  • Precinct 86 and Precinct 6: Precinct 86 was split by an annexation to the City of Zephyrhills. The portion of Precinct 86 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 6.
  • Precinct 63 and Precinct 19: Precinct 63 was split by an annexation to the City of Dade City. The portion of Precinct 63 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 19.
  • Precinct 54 and Precinct 23:  Precinct 54 was split by an annexation to the City of Port Richey. The portion of Precinct 54 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 23.
  • Precinct 63 and Precinct 19: Precinct 63 was split by an annexation to the City of Dade City. The portion of Precinct 63 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 19.
  • Precinct 69 and Precinct 6: Precinct 69 was split by annexations to the City of Zephyrhills. The portion of Precinct 69 that was subject to the annexations will be combined into Precinct 6. 
  • Precinct 6 and Precinct 64: Precinct 6 was split by a contraction from the City of Zephyrhills. The portion of Precinct 6 that was subject to the contraction will be combined into Precinct 64.
  • Precinct 113 and Precinct 36: Precinct 36 was modified to accommodate a portion of 113 that was not affiliated with its respective Community Development District.

On another item, the county board passed a resolution declaring November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and commended Gulfside Healthcare Services for its outstanding service to Pasco County and its residents.

In other action, the board approved:

  • Approved a rezoning to permit the Hamilton Oaks master-planned unit development, which calls for 240 detached single-family dwellings on 61.04 acres at Billmar Road, about 1,750 feet east of the terminus of Zephyrhills Bypass
  • A task order in the amount not to exceed $551,042 with CPH Consulting LLC, to perform architectural, engineering and related services for the design of the Utilities Environmental Lab, located at 19434 Central Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, and for related construction administrative services following the design
  • An interlocal agreement to enable Pasco County Fire/Rescue and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for a SWAT Medic program dedicated to heightened safety measures during critical incidents where the safety of first responders may otherwise be in jeopardy
  • Approved a multi-year contract with Crosscreek Environmental Inc., in the amount not to exceed a total of $720,000 for as-needed aquatic weed control. The contract covers fiscal years 2024 through 2026, with optional one-year renewals at $240,000 a year for fiscal year 2027 and 2028. The approval is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2023.
  • Approved a task order with SiteOne Landscape Supply LLC for ongoing and as-needed topdressing sand for athletic fields. The contract is a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000, which covers $50,000 a year for fiscal years 2024 through 2026.
  • Approved a task order with Freese and Nichols Inc., for a potable water master plan update project in an amount not-to-exceed $498,700 for fiscal year 2024, which includes an allowance of $30,000, if needed. The update will provide a 20-year plan for the Pasco County Potable Water System, with planning periods of five years, 10 years and 20 years.
  • Authorized and instructed the retained legal counsel to not opt out of the settlement of litigation involving aqueous film forming products liability, and authorized the county attorney and county administrator to take all necessary steps for Pasco County to participate in the claims process associated with the settlements.

Published November 29, 2023

’Tis the season for sawing

By

For 37 years, Tony and Debbie Harris have told people to ‘get real’ and come out to their property where, every year, they grow and sell live trees to locals and even those from nearby areas such as Polk and Hernando counties. The Harrises will sell Christmas trees that can be picked out and sawed down until Christmas Eve or when they run out, which is usually about a week before Dec. 25. For more information or updates, visit ErgleTrees.com the farm’s Facebook page.

Kimberly Kirsop, left, and Kat Ableman, both of Lakeland, put in the work to finish sawing off their Christmas tree at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, 3331 Treiman Blvd., in Dade City. (Mike Camunas)
Janie Firzsell, back, and Isabella Aguilar, both of Auburndale, weave through rows of trees, trying to find the perfect one to take home from their outing to Ergle Christmas Tree Farm.
Debbie Harris, left, co-owner of Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, and employee Tracy Sanderson go over some of the holiday items available for purchase at the longstanding farm and market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From left: Aaron, Oaklee and Jessica Elliot, of Melbourne, seek to find the perfect tree to saw down and take home for the holidays.
Land O’ Lakes resident Mary Burke finds a perfect Christmas tree ornament in the shop at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City.
Lakeland resident Ron Myers has a good laugh as he and his family try to find the perfect tree to cut down and bring home from at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City, attracts local residents and those from a distance to find the perfect tree to chop down and bring home for the holidays.
Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City has been selling holiday trees for 37 years. Customers pick out the tree they desire, chop it down and take it home to decorate.
Tony Harris, co-owner of Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, drives a tractor on his property in Dade City. The farm has been selling holiday trees to those willing to chop them down themselves for almost four decades.

 

 

Conserving water through the holidays

By

Katherine Munson, lead communications coordinator for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, compiled tips to help conserve water through the holidays. They are especially timely this year, as the region experienced its driest rainy season in 26 years. (Courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management Disrtrict)

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently declared a Modified Phase 1 Water Shortage for several local jurisdictions, including Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.

To reduce water use, the Water Management District has placed limitations on lawn watering.

Even before the water shortage was declared, the Water Management District had prepared a number of tips to help residents reduce water use during the holidays.

Here’s a condensed version of those pointers, prepared by Katherine Munson, lead communications coordinator for the Water Management District:

  • Defrosting frozen foods: Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave instead of running hot water over them. Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or pan filled with water instead of under running water. This water can then be reused to water houseplants. A running faucet can use approximately 2 gallons of water per minute.
  • Washing dishes by hand: When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water and fill the rinsing sink one-third to one-half full. Avoid letting the water run continuously in the rinsing sink.

Scrape food scraps into the garbage can or a composting bin, rather than rinsing them into the sink’s garbage disposal. A garbage disposal uses approximately 2 gallons of water per minute.

  • Using the dishwasher: Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load. Standard dishwashers can use 5 gallons of water or more per load.
  • When cooking: Select the proper size pans. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
  • Prepping your house to be away: Check for indoor and outdoor leaks before you head out. If you have a permanent in-ground irrigation system, make sure your controller is set to follow local water restrictions or turned to the “off” position if your lawn and landscape are not in need of additional water. Also, confirm that you have a functioning rain shut-off device for your irrigation system to account for natural rainfall that might occur while you’re away.
  • Shopping for water-saving gifts: Look for WaterSense or ENERGY STAR labeled products to help friends and family save water and money on utility bills long after the holidays are over. A WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water a year.
  • Find more water conservation tips? Visit the Water Management District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Water101.

Published November 29, 2023 

A Sense of Place

By

If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo, where he or she lives and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

Tree Studying
Tampa resident Leslie Farrell took some photos walking through University Area Community Park on 22nd Street near the University of South Florida. The park also includes the community center where the New Tampa Players meet and hold performances.
Sunset on the River
The Laker/Lutz News Editorial Assistant Mary Rathman captured this sunset one evening. ‘One of my favorite pastimes is dining near the water and the added benefit of watching the sunset on the Alafia River provides a complete sense of calm.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Lowe’s Down Rainbow
Land O’ Lakes resident Mike Camunas Sr., was able to grab a shot of a full rainbow at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Lutz, near the corner of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, on Nov. 15.
Keep on truckin’
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas snapped this photo of an aging truck in Lutz, parked in front of Steiger Site Preparation. The longtime local company occasionally decorates the truck for certain holidays, such as Christmas time with a tree made of lights.

Igniting a fire of learning in these students

By

Don’t expect these students to burn out.

They’re high-schoolers enrolled at the Fire Science Academy — a direct career path to prepare them for a future in firefighting. During this three-year program at Fivay High in Hudson, they’ll live, eat and breathe like any recruit entering the traditional fire academy.

Senior Damen Bouchard, center, and junior Jacob Iovino listen to Fire Science Academy instructor Lou Staggs, left, during a practice drill on an apparatus that can simulate blocked doors firefighters might encounter on the scene of a blaze. Staggs, a former firefighter, leads the academy at Fivay High in Hudson, as the classes prepare students for a career pathway in firefighter and as emergency medical responders (EMRs). (Mike Camunas)

They’ll do it as teenagers, as part of elective courses in addition to their core high school classes. When they graduate, they’ll be several steps ahead of other fire academy recruits and even capable of becoming a firefighter before they turn 20.

And, that’s all because they chose to be part of this program — to be firefighters.

“I never thought I’d be in a firefighter program in high school,” said Isaiah Ferrell, a junior. “It’s amazing that it’s offered because I’ve wanted to be a firefighter my whole life. My mom would take me to the fire stations, look at the fire trucks and stuff, but when I saw this when getting ready for high school, I thought it was perfect and I just fell in love with it in the first year.

“It’s great they have a program like this.”

Students will learn through classroom and work-based learning experience about fire vehicles, equipment, fire behavior, fire streams, fundamentals of extinguishment, ventilation, rescue, water supplies, medical techniques and more.

Fire Science Academy instructor and former firefighter Lou Staggs speaks to his students as they work on a drill that demonstrates the proper technique to wedge in and bust open a stuck door that might be on site during an emergency call.

They get hands-on experience, in the school’s “firehouse,” with live hose work, ladder rescues and navigating a smoke-filled maze. The academy even can even have prop fires to practice extinguisher work. It also has a stuck-door apparatus that allows for different scenarios to give trainees the experience of using an ax or wedge tool to bust down the door.

The program is led by Lou Staggs, a 20-year, retired lieutenant with the Dunedin Fire Department. He’s been training new firefighter recruits for most of his career, but is now preparing both young men and women in a feeder system into the Pasco Fire Rescue Department.

“They’re not certified, though since (most are) under age of 18, and part of (certification training) is live firefighting in an environment that is hazardous to life and death, they miss out on that portion,” Staggs said. “But after three years in this program, they have about five steps up on any other recruit going to the fire academy because they’re learning all the materials with hands-on experience more than someone walking in brand new.

John Randazzo, left, and Ja’heim Ellenwood work on a drill to open a stuck-door apparatus at the Fire Science Academy’s ‘firehouse.’

“Pasco County Fire Rescue comes out once a month and does some hands-on training and drills with them,” he added. “That’s kind of the direction I try to steer them, so we are a feeder system for Pasco County. They’re expanding the department and getting ready to hire hundreds of people, but thanks to this program, they can be a firefighter by the time they are 19.”

The academy, however, isn’t just hand-on training while wearing firefighting gear donated by Pasco Fire Rescue. It’s classwork — it’s testing and studying, too.

The academy’s students do that in a nearby classroom that also features the back end of an ambulance designed to teach them basic first aid and even get Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) certified.

Staggs, in his first year as academy instructor, loves this job. Academy students chose to be there, chose to set in motion a career toward firefighter or EMR.

When they show up to class or the “firehouse” or even need to do physical training, they’re ready and motivated.

“I personally feel that I’m blessed with the students I have because they chose this path and (were) not stuck with this class,” Stags said. “They still have their core classes, but this is an elective, like art or culinary, which we have and is fantastic. But these kids chose Fire Science Academy.

“Students absolutely love it, and they want to be here.”

Ferrell agrees.

While searching through some heavy, fabricated smoke, Fire Science Academy senior Damen Bouchard looks for a door apparatus during a drill in the academy’s ‘firehouse’ at Fivay High in Hudson.

“Everything you do in Firefighting I, you do here, stretched out over 2-3 years. You learn responsibility and stuff like that, too, because you have to be on the lookout for the other guys because you’re part of a team, you’re a family. You learn teamwork.

“All the knowledge I’m learning, it’ll make me a firefighter after I graduate.”

Fire Science Academy

Where: Fivay High, 12115 Chicago Ave., in Hudson

Details: Fire Science Academy is a career pathway to prepare students for a future in firefighting. Students in the academy learn what it takes for careers in firefighting and as emergency medical responders through classroom instruction and hands-on lessons. The experience includes learning about fire vehicles, apparatus and equipment; fire behavior; fire streams; fundamentals of extinguishment; ventilation; rescue; water supplies; medical techniques, and more. The program is open to students throughout Pasco County, but those interested  must apply to attend by utilizing the Pasco Pathways School Choice Application.

Info: Visit tinyurl.com/36m9usve.

Published November 22, 2023

Junior Isaiah Ferrell, left, goes over his helmet at the Fire Science Academy with fellow junior Jacob Iovino.
Junior Jacob Iovino, a student at the Fire Science Academy at Fivay High in Hudson, uses an ax to pound in a wedge tool during a drill in the academy’s ‘firehouse,’ wherestudents practice skills needed to become a firefighter.
Fire Science Academy junior Aaron Roxberry uses a wedge tool on an apparatus that simulates a blocked door during a fire. The instructor, Lou Staggs, has a smoke machine to make the environment more realistic.

Federal funds will help address sewage treatment upgrade in Dade City

By

The city of Dade City has received $1.75 million in federal funds to help relocate and upgrade its current wastewater treatment plant.

The funds are coming through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and were secured by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, according to a news release from Bilirakis’ office.

The city of Dade City has received $1.75 million in federal funds to help relocate and upgrade its current wastewater treatment plant. (Mike Camunas)

The project is one of 483 water infrastructure projects funded in communities across the country, according to the release.

Bilirakis favors reining in federal spending, but at the same time supports giving local communities their fair share, the release notes.

“I am proud to have secured this funding for a project Dade City and the residents of Mickens-Harper have hoped for since 2011, and I’ll keep working to address water quality issues throughout Florida’s 12th Congressional District,” Bilirakis said, in the release.

This relocation project will provide significant environmental benefits to the area, given that the current site is adjacent to the Green Swamp, where the Withlacoochee River meets the Hillsborough River watersheds, the release says.

The relocation will better protect adjacent waterways due to the use of a three-stage biological nutrient removal process, the release adds.

At the same time, it will improve conditions for the Mickens-Harper neighborhood, the release adds, noting such benefits as reduced noise, traffic and odors, while creating more open space and improving aesthetics, the release continues.

The city also has asserted the project will provide economic benefits and create 150 new jobs during the construction process.   

“The City of Dade City is grateful for our partnership with Congressman Bilirakis and his advocacy in securing funding to upgrade and relocate the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant,”  City Manager Leslie Porter said, in the release.

“The funding makes it possible to fast-track this important project. The current plant, constructed in the 1950s, was built in the Historic Mickens-Harper neighborhood. As Dade City continues moving in a forward direction, relocating the plant will address that environmental injustice.

“The city is committed to providing our residents in this community a better quality of life.  As our existing plant nears capacity, the new facility will accommodate growth while protecting our watershed and water bodies.  This benefits us all,” Porter said.

Published November 22, 2023

Pasco road improvements outlined in tentative five-year plan

By

Road widenings, resurfacing projects and sidewalk construction are all part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) five-year tentative work program in Pasco County.

Brian Hunter, a planning manager for FDOT’s District 7 office gave members of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization an overview of what’s in the plan, and he also talked about some shifts in priorities.

The Pasco MPO is the lead transportation planning agency for Pasco and its board is made up of elected leaders from Pasco County, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey.

Hunter explained that the tentative work program essentially lays out the work that FDOT plans to do in Pasco County — and includes the work it plans to do with partners, such as GoPasco and the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Timing for improvements to the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 remain uncertain. The Florida Department of Transportation’s tentative five-year work plan calls for delaying right of way acquisition until 2028 to make sure that FDOT has the clearance it needs to acquire the land. (Mike Camunas)

“It includes all of the phases, from planning, to design/right of way/construction and maintenance on some of those facilities,” Hunter said.

The state transportation department is wrapping up the five-year plan that ends in fiscal year 2028 and will be adding fiscal year 2029.

The FDOT also receives comments from the public and the MPO, then makes any adjustments necessary before submitting the tentative work plan to the Legislature, Hunter said. The deadline for comments from the MPO was Nov. 20.

Once the Legislature approves a plan and it gets signed by the governor, the plan takes effect on July 1, 2024, becoming the adopted 2025 through 2029 work program, Hunter said.

He explained how FDOT determines its priorities.

“Our first priority is to always preserve our existing projects. If something has a cost change, our first priority is to add funds to that; or, if there’s a scope change, our first priority is to add funds to it, to make sure that project is whole.”

“The second is, we move on to the next phase of a project.

“If we had design funding and we need to add right of way funding to it, and it’s the appropriate time to do so, we move those projects forward — with the hopeful goal of moving to construction on those.

“The third priority is to add those new projects.”

The priorities are based on the MPO priorities, regional priorities and FDOT priorities.

“If there was a project that was in the previous work program presentation that I don’t mention today, that doesn’t mean that it has been removed or anything like that. It just means that there was no significant change,” Hunter told the Pasco MPO board, noting there are about 500 projects in District 7.

One project that has been of major interest in Pasco County involves the improvement of the State Road 54/U.S. 41 interchange, in Land O’ Lakes.

“We deferred the right of way to fiscal year 2028 on that,” Hunter said.

The department did that because it needs to have the appropriate documents to purchase right of way for the project and, until it does, it made sense to delay the funding into the year it would actually be used, Hunter said.

But a discussion during the board’s meeting may spur FDOT to consider early acquisition of a portion of the necessary right of way, to ensure that it’s not used for a different use before the intersection improvement project can move forward.

That issue is expected to be discussed again at the Pasco MPO board’s meeting in January.

Hunter also noted that Collector/Distributor roads previously in the five-year plan for the I-75/I-275 also have been shifted out of the five-year plan because of changing priorities.

Plans that are being recommended include:

  • Widening U.S. 301. The tentative work program calls for right of way acquisition for that project in 2029
  • Widening of Old Pasco Road. Right of way was added in fiscal year 2026 and construction was added in fiscal year 2028. Pasco County will be delivering that project, with some assistance from FDOT.

The plan also includes a number of resurfacing projects, some pedestrian/bicycle improvements and improvements at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Other items of note include $5 million for enhancements at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport and $54 million for GoPasco.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano also raised an issue relating to the design for pedestrian/bicycle overpasses.

Traffic frequently backs up at U.S. 41 and State Road 54. It’s the intersection where much of the traffic heading east and west through Pasco County meets up with much of the taffic moving north and south.

Two overpasses are planned in Pasco — one at the Suncoast Expressway and State Road 52, and another at the Suncoast Expressway at State Road 54.

Mariano asked if the state could look into a simpler design, which might enable the projects to be done more quickly and at a lower cost. If that happens, he said, funding might be available for more projects.

He pointed to a specific overpass in the Kissimmee area as an example.

“We can take a look at this,” Hunter said.

Mariano also noted that U.S. 41 runs from Miami to Detroit and there’s only one section of the road that’s two lanes.

“That section runs from State Road 52 all of the way up to (Hernando) County Line Road,” Mariano said.

Mariano said a study was done years ago, taking a look at that section.

He said he’d like for the FDOT team to take a look at it again.

Hunter replied: “We’ve heard a lot recently about the (U.S.) 41 and the two-lane section.

“We can take a look at it, see if there’s any way we can move that project forward.

“It’s the same problem we have with every project, it’s all funding constraints. But we can see if there’s any way to kind of piece it together and make it work,” Hunter said.

Major Pasco County projects

These are some of the projects in the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7’s tentative work program, Fiscal Year 2025 through Fiscal Year 2029:

  • Add lanes and reconstruct State Road 52, from east of U.S. 41 to Ehren Cutoff
  • Add lanes and reconstruct U.S. 301, from south of State Road 56 to south of State Road 39
  • Design work to address sidewalk gaps and construction of sidewalks at various locations
  • Add lanes and reconstruct U.S. 301, from State Road 39 to County Road 54
  • Add lanes and rehabilitate pavement on Old Pasco Road, from County Road 54/Wesley Chapel Boulevard to north of Sonny Drive
  • Resurface State Road 56, from Bruce B. Downs to Meadow Pointe Boulevard
  • Sidewalk at (Pasco Elementary) on Fort King Road, from Hester to north of Coleman
  • Bike/path trail on Perrine Ranch Road, from east of Grand Boulevard to Mountain Ash Way
  • Transportation planning for Pasco County, for fiscal year 2029-2030
  • U.S. 19 pedestrian crossings at various locations
  • Interstate 75 landscaping, from State Road 54 to south end of Overpass Road, southbound on ramp
  • Resurfacing of U.S. 41, from Washington Lane to County Line Road
  • Resurfacing of Interstate 275/Interstate 75, from the Hillsborough County line to County Road 54.
  • Resurfacing of U.S. 41, from Bell Lake Road to east of Ehren Cutoff
  • Resurfacing of Alternate U.S. 19, from Pinellas County line to U.S. 19
  • Resurfacing State Road 54, from Bruce B. Downs Boulevard to east of Curley Road
  • Resurfacing of U.S. 98/U.S. 301, from north Long Avenue to south of U.S. 98
  • Signage/pavement markers for wrong way drivers at various interstate ramps
  • Traffic management system, U.S. 41 from Hillsborough County line to Hernando County line
  • Aviation capacity project, Zephyrhills Municipal Airport

Source: Florida Department of Transportation, District 7

Published November 22, 2023

Land O’ Lakes Boulevard undergoing repaving

By

The Florida Department of Transportation began the 3 ¼-mile repaving of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard/U.S. 41, beginning at Bell Lake Road in Land O’ Lakes and heading south to County Line Road/Willow Bend Parkway on Nov. 13. FDOT also will repave a quarter mile of State Road 54, heading west from U.S. 41 until Knight Road. (Mike Camunas)

The Florida Department of Transportation recently announced two projects have been combined to be built under one construction contract, with the new project beginning Nov. 13.

FDOT began construction on repaving both directions of 3.25 miles of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard/U.S. 41, beginning at Bell Lake Road in Land O’ Lakes and heading south, ending at County Line Road/Willow Bend Parkway.

Additionally, FDOT also will repave both directions of a quarter-mile stretch of State Road 54, heading west and ending at Knight Road.

(Courtesy of FDOT)

The improvements in this project include milling and resurfacing, pavement reconstruction, pavement markings, drainage improvements, pedestrian/bicyclist enhancements, signage and sidewalk repairs.

According to FDOT, over the construction duration, drivers can expect many nights of lane closures between 7:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. There also will be a few areas with around-the-clock lane closures, but the same number of travel lanes are planned to be maintained by constructing temporary pavement and shifting traffic.

No timeline was provided for completion of the $13 million project,

For weekly scheduled closures, drivers are encouraged to visit the project webpage at https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/759/441659-1-52-01-441658-1-52-01 and sign up to receive free project email alerts.

Published November 22, 2023

Neighbor complaints force delay on proposed commercial rezoning

By

A request that initially had received a recommendation for approval by county planners drew considerable controversy at a public hearing and has been continued until Dec. 7.

Neighbors raised objections to a proposed rezoning that would convert a property currently zoned for neighborhood commercial and residential uses to a general commercial site, which allows a more expansive list of potential commercial uses.

Testimony during the Pasco County Commission’s Nov. 2 public hearing on the request also prompted a county code compliance officer to order an investigation to determine whether code violations have occurred on the property.

A proposed rezoning at the southeast corner of State Road 54 and Shaw Drive in Zephyrhills drew controversy at a Nov. 2 public hearing. (Mike Camunas)

The request was filed in the name of Dawood Hany and Neamataud Nermeen. It involves about 0.86 acres at the southeast corner of State Road 54 and Shaw Drive, in Zephyrhills.

The item had been part of the planning board’s consent agenda — meaning it was not considered to be controversial and would have been approved, along with other requests in a single vote, without public testimony.

But as soon as planners became aware there was opposition, the item was pulled from the consent agenda.

The opponents made it clear that they don’t want the applicants to receive permission to move forward with their plans for a 5,000-square-foot maintenance shop for auto repairs.

Jimmy Nelson, who owns the property immediately behind the proposed rezoning, told the planning board: “I think most of the residents who are here do object to them changing this into a commercial district.

“There’s more cars and concrete. The roads are not done. My road floods already as it is when it rains. My yard gets so flooded, it’s unreal. This is something that me and my wife don’t want.”

His wife, Christina, then proceeded to give the planning board an earful about activities that she said already have occurred on the site.

A home on the site already has been demolished and trees were cut down.

She reported the tree removal, and the property owner was fined, she said.

“There’s two homes over here. I’m guessing that’s what he wants to demolish and use it as a mechanic shop,” she said.

Towing activities have occurred there, too, she said.

“We all work. We’re all blue-collar workers, and there’s children.

“I’m opposed to it. This is not OK. We were a nice quiet neighborhood,” she said.

Her husband showed the planning board a photo on his phone that appears to be a building under construction on the site.

Addressing negative impacts

Neighbors claimed that the applicant’s site has been used for car storage and also for a towing business, which are not allowed under current zoning.

Planning board member Jon Moody asked: “Is there a towing business on the property?”

County planner Liam Devine responded: “No, there isn’t.”

Christina responded: “Yes, there is.”

Devine added: “It looks like there are cars there being stored, when I did a drive-by survey of the property. But I didn’t see towing.”

Moody added: “Is his storage operation in compliance?”

Devine responded: “That would not be.”

Richard Kujawa, who lives on Shaw Drive, told the planning board: “He has been using the property for AAA services, though he says he hasn’t. The gates are still open. He’s got the trucks in there.

“There’s been significant damage done to the road, from him coming in and out,” he said.

Another opponent, who has property on Huron Street, told the planning board:  “When I bought the property, there were two houses on the lower end of his property. And then he fenced it in, took the houses down, so that made it all commercial. Took down all of the trees.

“He doesn’t pay attention to the rules.

“It says no trucks on either street, he takes down the signs.

“He’ll do what he wants. We’re just bringing it to your attention,” the Huron Street property owner said.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, asked the neighbors if the applicant agreed to put up a fence on the south side of the property and prohibit access onto Waverly, if that would address their concerns.

Planning board members discussed a number of ways to address potential impacts — by using deed restrictions or requiring the applicant to bring the final site plan back for the board’s review.

Christina said she would still object because of the noise that would be caused by an auto mechanics shop.

Planning Commission Chairman Grey told his colleagues: “I’d be very reluctant to approve this under the circumstances that have been presented here, mainly because this particular applicant evidently has done a lot of things under the radar. I don’t want the residents to have to come back here every time there’s a violation and report it and then to wait for somebody to deal with it. You know, we don’t need those kinds of activities.

“It’s a matter of trust,” Grey said.

Attorney Shelly Johnson, representing the applicant, suggested delaying the issue until Dec. 7.

She said she wasn’t aware of any issues raised by the neighbors before she came to the meeting. The delay would allow time to meet with neighbors and her client, she said.

“We’re a little flat-footed on it right now,” she said.

The planning board granted her request for continuance, which also will provide time for them to get a report from the county’s code compliance office, regarding the alleged code violations.

Published November 22, 2023

Pasco eyeing expansion of Villages of Pasadena Hills

By

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended expansion of the Villages of Pasadena Hills.

The proposal also calls for shifting entitlements from one village in VOPH to another.

The proposed changes, which would be made to the county’s comprehensive plan, also call for improvements to enhance the area’s road network.

The planning board held a public hearing on the item, which now goes to the Pasco County Commission for final action.

The inclusion of additional parcels will help facilitate the construction of essential vision roads of the VOPH Master Roadway Plan, according to background materials in the planning board’s agenda packet.

The additional parcels would be along the current alignment of the Zephyrhills Bypass.

A related action, recommended for approval by the planning board and county planners, calls for a future master-planned unit development, called Hamilton Oaks, to construct a portion of the road for mobility fee credits. 

Additionally, the proposal calls for shifting the boundaries in VOPH’s Village B and Village F to enable Prospect Road to be extended by a developer and to create a connection to the existing Curley Road.

The proposed Hamilton Oaks MPUD allows for up to 240 single-family residences. That application also requests for the development to be included within the boundaries of VOPH.

In other action at its Nov. 2 meeting, the planning board:

  • Recommended approval of a change to the county’s comprehensive plan that would increase allowable residential development on 28.23 acres at the southeast intersection of Ashton Oaks Boulevard and State Road 54. The current land use designation calls for three dwellings per acre. The new designation would allow six units per acre. The applicant is proposing 140 platted townhomes at the site.
  • Recommended approval of a zoning change that would change the zoning on about 19.82 acres of industrial land at the southwest corner of State Road 52 and Ehren Cutoff from general industrial to light industrial. The change would allow light industrial uses on the portion of the site fronting State Road 52, while preserving general industrial uses on another portion of the property. In essence, the intensity of uses would decrease.
  • Approved a request for the Cherry Hills West master-planned unit development that will rezone land now zoned for agricultural residential to a designation that would allow a maximum of 160 single-family detached residences on 34.07 acres on the east side of VFW Road, south of County Road 52.

Published November 22, 2023