The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Lutz teen volunteer has been putting in the hours — for a decade

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Alyssa Hayman never expected any of this.

She didn’t expect to volunteer so much, or to be recognized, at such a young age.

Alyssa Hayman, a 15-year-old sophomore at Steinbrenner High School, has been volunteering for more than a decade. In the beginning, she helped out because her mom ‘made her do it.’ But over time, the benevolent teen has become immersed in volunteer work, putting in hundreds and hundreds of hours with several organizations, including starting a group around National Junior Honor Society and student government students back in middle school. The teenager will be celebrated at a special recognition ceremony in November, hosted by Hope Children’s Home in Citrus Park. (Mike Camunas)

But now, after more than a decade of giving back to her community, the 15-year-old Steinbrenner High sophomore can’t picture her life any other way.

“My mom made me do it,” she said without hesitation. “She introduced me to Hope Children’s Home (in Citrus Park). I think I was about 5 years old, and we gave a lot of stuff away and had fun, too. Then, I was like, ‘I think I should keep doing this — it was fun!’”

But why would a teenager spend all her time volunteering, so much so that Hope Children’s Home is honoring her for her decade’s worth of service?

“Because the community needs it,” Hayman said with confidence. “I’ve been doing it since I was so young, so, why stop now?”

In just 10 years, Hayman has helped countless people.

She volunteers with both Feeding Tampa Bay and the Salvation Army, and has spent a decade helping scores of children at Hope Children’s Home — a live-in campus school that helps children without families to get through high school and onto college.

Hayman is being recognized on Nov. 10 by the children’s home for her service in a special ceremony. They are honoring the work she has done to arrange snack donations to be gathered regularly from hundreds of middle and high school students, and for her leadership on an annual donation drive for home goods needed to make sure children have a comfortable and secure place to stay.

The ceremony also will recognize her Warriors – Your Bright Futures Group, which she created back in elementary school, but has followed her to Steinbrenner.

It’s a group of like-minded peers and students who also take the time to volunteer in their community, specifically the Lutz and North Tampa areas, and to obtain service/volunteer hours for the Florida Bright Futures program.

The group, which began with just a handful of students, is now more than 400 strong.

“It’s anyone who is willing to come out and help,” Hayman said.

Alyssa Hayman, right, and Hope Children’s Home staff member Stephanie Gradys carry boxes of supplies into the Home’s Donation Barn in Citrus Park.

“(Being recognized by Hope Children’s Home is) very special to me because that’s never happened to me before and I never expected it,” she added. “It’s all very humbling. All I did was volunteer and have fun doing it.

“(Volunteering is) fun, because you get to help the communities, you get to help people and you get to see them smile. It’s rewarding, but it’s not always about that. It’s fun, but the community needs it.”

Hayman is also consistently involved in other projects and initiatives.

She’s a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, during the holidays, in front of the Publix Super Market at Lutz Lake Crossing. She also makes about 800 Christmas cards each year — for the elderly at Angels Senior Living at Idlewild and Brighton Gardens of Tampa.

Plus, she and her mom, Ann, participate in the annual Cheval Cares 5K, which raised more than $40,000 for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation in September.

“She’s very humble,” her mom said. “I like to brag about her, but she likes to keep it on the down low — ‘Oh, it’s no big deal. I’m just helping the community. I don’t like to make a big deal about it.’ And I know you don’t, but I do because the contagiousness about what you do, it gets to people.

“She doesn’t say anything about it on social media, but I do because I’m a proud mom and it gets other kids to want to help, as well.”

Alyssa Hayman has spent 10 years helping out and volunteering at Hope Children’s Home in Citrus Park.

Ann admits she made Alyssa volunteer when she was 5 years old, but since then Alyssa’s desire to volunteer kept growing. When she was little, she could only do so much, but took on more roles as she got older.

She was involved in Safety Patrol in elementary school and student government in middle school. She began her student volunteer group at McKitrick Elementary, and took it with her to Martinez Middle and Steinbrenner High.

“As a teacher who taught middle school for 17 years,” said Lisa Quinn, Alyssa’s previous National Junior Honor Society advisor, “it is very impressive to see someone like Alyssa so willing to give her time to others through volunteering. … It is inspiring to see a young woman like Alyssa choose to spend her time helping others. There’s nothing wrong with typical middle school pursuits, such as hanging out with friends, but she has made it a priority to reach past that and make room in her life for service to others.”

Her mom adds: “It makes me very proud of her because she wants to do so much for so many in the community. She really didn’t know what she really wanted to do, but she took the initiative when she was really young and now just wants to help other children and people.”

So just how does Alyssa handle all the volunteer work? 

With maturity no one expects.

“Sometimes it can feel overwhelming, but it never really does,” she said. “Mostly in my free time, I do homework, watch movies and hang with friends, so it’s a nice balance. … If there is ever an opportunity to help out more, I will.

“I just want to help, wherever I can.”

Published October 18, 2023

Choices abound for living a thriving life in North Tampa Bay 

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Newcomers to the area, and those who have been here for ages, have something in common: They’re in a place that encourages them to thrive.

There’s no age limit on living a life here that offers a chance to stay fit, to learn, to enjoy diversions, to dine on good meals and to give back to others through service.

Besides being able to take advantage of myriad shopping and dining options, those living in North Tampa Bay can dip into history. One way would be to check out the new Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour. The 1909 Historic Pasco County Courthouse is the first stop among 82 places of interest. (File)

The North Tampa Bay area really does have it all.

So, how do you thrive at 55 and above? By taking advantage of the area’s many offerings, that’s how.

Explosive growth within The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area has created a buzz — and that has greatly expanded the options available for residents.

Pasco County has been having record years, in terms of construction permits, the property tax has expanded and the county’s population continues to grow at a fast clip.

The local economy has attracted large businesses to locate in Pasco and has spurred new business startups.

The population and job increases have resulted in new restaurants, more shopping options, additional housing choices and increased recreational offerings.

Hot spots for shopping and dining can be found near the interchange of Interstate 75 and State Road 54, and at I-75 and State Road 56.

Some of North Tampa Bay’s major shopping options include:

  • The Grove at Wesley Chapel, west of the I-75/State Road 54 interchange, offers shopping, restaurants and special events. The center, at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., also is home to KRATE, a collection of unique shops and restaurants.
  • Cypress Creek Town Center: This development, which flanks State Road 56/State Road 54, west of I-75, offers a wide variety of restaurants, shops and stores, as well as Tampa Premium Outlets, an outlet center which attracts customers from across the region.
  • The Shops at Wiregrass: This pedestrian-friendly shopping mall offers a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as comfortable places for people to rest and relax. It also is the venue for various community events.
Tampa Premium Outlets attracts shoppers from across the region, with its name-brand goods at bargain prices. It has a Key West vibe and is in the midst of all sorts of shops and restaurants at Cypress Creek Town Center, west of Interstate 75, on the south side of State Road 56.

The I-75/State Road 52 interchange also is poised to become a major job generator and will have housing, office and retail components.

On top of all that, the county has the deeply rooted areas of downtown Dade City and downtown Zephyrhills, which offer their own unique appeal.

The region also is expected to play a larger role in the world of research, as Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco campus, known as Speros, develops over time.

When the project gained initial approval, then County Administrator Dan Biles described it as a “generational” type of project, which will have ripple effects for decades.

He and others have said it’s hard for people to fathom the profound impacts Moffitt will have on the area, over time.

For one thing, the cancer center is expected to attract researchers from around the world, as well as enticing global life science companies to locate here. It also is expected to generate high-paying jobs, yield enormous opportunities and open the door for myriad collaborations with local partners.

This rendering depicts what Moffitt Cancer’s Speros FL campus is expected to look like, as the development takes shape. (Courtesy of Moffitt Cancer Center)

Pasco County Schools and Moffitt already are working on plans to create learning experiences for students at Angeline Academy of Innovation, a new magnet high school that opened in August, in the community of Angeline, an emerging “new city” in Land O’ Lakes.

But it’s not all work and no play in North Tampa Bay.

There are plenty of ways to have fun.

People who enjoy outdoor concerts and outdoor events can check out the offerings at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park; at Starkey Ranch Theatre Library and Cultural Center; at the Grove at Wesley Chapel; at The Shops at Wiregrass; and at the county’s many parks, trails and wilderness areas.

Those who enjoy immersing themselves in history can find historic places to explore in the communities of Dade City, St. Leo, San Antonio and Zephyrhills.

Visitors can roam those areas to experience some of Old Florida’s beauty and charm. Those who enjoy an active lifestyle can embrace the challenge of riding San Antonio’s rolling hills, sign up for adult recreation leagues and run 5Ks and other races at local events hosted around the county.

Plus, there are loads of health and wellness classes offered by area health care providers, private gyms and elsewhere.

So, if you’re ready to go for the gusto — you simply have no excuse not to do just that.

Go ahead, get started. The path to living a thriving life awaits you.

Published October 18, 2023

 

Getting away from life’s routine

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There are plenty of adventures awaiting you around the North Tampa Bay region.

For instance, you can swing through the trees at Tree Hoppers, at 27839 Saint Joe Road, in Dade City. You’ll find rope nets to climb, rope bridges to scale and zip lines to glide at what has been described as Central Florida’s largest aerial adventure park. 

Treehoppers is an aerial adventure park, at 27839 St. Joe Road, in Dade City, which offers rope courses and obstacles — up in the trees. (File)

Maybe you’ve always wondered how it feels to jump out of an airplane. You can satisfy that curiosity, too.

Skydive City, at 4241 Sky Dive Lane in Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, is the legendary place that has attracted enthusiasts of skydiving from throughout the world.

The center trains skydivers at all levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans and offers all types of skydiving activity, including tandem jumps, group jumps and water landings.

Of course, some would prefer a diversion closer to the ground.

Those options are available, too.

The Tampa Bay Curling Club has competitive leagues at AdventHealth Center Ice, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel. The club also offers lessons for people interested in the sport. (To find out more, call Tampa Bay Curling at 813-758-2279)

Maybe you’d enjoy a diversion that’s somewhere that’s less slippery.

Again, plenty of choices await.

One option involves testing your golfing skills.

There are regulation golf courses, of course, but there’s also PopStroke Tampa, at 25297 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz.

It offers two 18-hole putting courses designed by Tiger Woods. The synthetic grass, bunkers, rolling hills and undulated greens are designed to challenge golfers of all ages. The putt-putt golfing destination also offers a dining area, with a full menu and craft beer, wine and signature cocktails. It has an ice cream parlor, outdoor game area and a playground, too.

So, next time you’re looking for a break from life’s daily grind, don’t just click on the remote to watch your favorite streaming series, go out and add a few new episodes to the story of your life.

Published October 18, 2023

One big project gets a green light; another begins construction

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Some sizable projects are heading to Pasco County.

One of the developments — known as Abbey Crossings — is a master-planned unit development (MPUD) that includes 800,000 square feet of light industrial, 400,000 square feet of office, 400,000 square feet of commercial and 1,000 multi-family dwellings.

A rendering of a future view of the massive DoubleBranch development, planned on 965 acres at Interstate 75 and State Road 52. (Courtesy of Dona Loncar/via Pasco Economic Development Council)

The Pasco County Commission cleared the way for the project by approving a rezoning request on 245.24 acres on the south side of County Road 52, intersecting with McKendree Road.

The land had been zoned for agricultural and commercial uses, until the county board changed the designation during its Oct. 10 meeting.

The project is within the boundaries of Connected City, specifically within its business core.

The Connected City corridor consists of about 7,800 acres in a state-approved development district meant to foster residential communities and employment centers that are the wave of the future. Its borders are roughly Interstate 75, State Road 52 and Curley and Overpass roads.

The area is meant to feature cutting-edge technology, including gigabit Internet speeds and innovation, and it is supposed to be easy to get around for pedestrians, cyclists, golf carts and vehicles.

The county board’s Abbey Crossings vote came just days after some commissioners joined in a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 5, hosted by Columnar Land to celebrate the beginning of DoubleBranch, on a site formerly known as Pasco Town Center.

Mike Wolf is senior vice president of Columnar/DoubleBranch. He was one of the speakers at the Oct. 4 groundbreaking ceremony.

Columnar has invested more than $60 million to date and is providing another $75 million in Phase I infrastructure, according to a news release issued by the Pasco Economic Development, Inc. (Pasco EDC).

“DoubleBranch has been anticipated in Pasco County for nearly two decades,” Daniel Traylor, managing principal of Columnar/DoubleBranch, said in the news release. “Today marks the beginning of the first phase of development for a project that will have a tremendous impact on generations of Pasco County residents.”

The project will feature 4 million square feet of industrial development, 725,000 square feet of offices, 400,000 square feet of retail, 3,500 housing units and 300 hotel beds on a 965-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Interstate 75 and State Road 52, the release says.

At its completion, DoubleBranch is expected to have more than $600 million in long-term economic impact on an estimated $2 billion buildout for the surrounding area. Over time, the development is anticipated to be home to 6,000 jobs including many in the logistics, life sciences and healthcare target industry sectors, the release adds.

These are just some of the people who have played a role in making the idea of DoubleBranch a reality.

“Our team is proud and excited to get this project started,” Mike Wolf, senior vice president of Columnar/DoubleBranch, said in the release. 

“Since purchasing the land in 2021, we set out to intentionally create a desirable town center development where Pasco gathers to work, live and entertain while creating jobs and economic development for the county,” Wolf added.

Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC, also weighed in.

“Pasco County leadership is very cognizant of creating opportunities for smart, strategic development,” Cronin said, in the release. “This is one of the largest master planned development projects we have had here, and it has taken tremendous effort by Columnar, county officials, and stakeholders alike to make sure it is done right. I was honored to be a part of the celebration yesterday.”

David Engel, economic growth director for Pasco County, provided additional perspective on the project’s importance and impacts.

“The DoubleBranch project is an excellent example of the benefits of a public-private partnership,” Engel said, in the release. “The developer is installing over $70 million in on- and off-site primary roads and utility connections to complete core infrastructure for the entire Connected City Employment Center area. Pasco is providing an Ad Valorem Equivalency Grant to fund a portion of the infrastructure cost, and when this project is complete, over $9.5 million in ad valorem taxes will come into the county each year.”

Stomping out suicide, a trail run at a time

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They stomped through the woods — for a great cause.

More than a couple hundred runners and bystanders came out on Oct. 7 to the third annual Stomp Out Suicide Trail Run, hosted by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department, at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City.

Iren Taylor, left, and Sarah Gruber, share a laugh while running on the trail at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City during the third annual Stomp Out Suicide Trail Run, hosted by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department. The run — that included a 10K, 5K, a fun run and a dog run — is part of the department’s ‘RECreate Your Mind’ initiative, which hosts events to bring attention to suicide prevention. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 24. (Mike Camunas)

The event is held to raise awareness to suicide prevention and related mental health issues.

The run was started three years ago as part of the department’s “RECreate Your Mind” initiative, which hosts events to shed light on this taboo and often stigmatized topic.

Department officials and event organizers said the event was created after three suicides in a short span that affected the department and provided more than enough motivation to create the trail run, as well as other events.

Suicide is a national health problem and the second leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 24.

The event included a 10K, 5K and mile fun run, all through the trails near the Withlacoochee River.

Each runner received a finisher medal and T-shirt.

Participants also could do a “Double Stomp” of the 5K and mile run or do a 5K Dog Run. Nearly 10 participants brought their furry companion.

Additionally, race officials encouraged participants to take a blank bib and write down a person and/or reason for why they were out at the event.

Many participants proudly displayed their reasons for being there during the early-morning run.

RECreate Your Mind
Details: The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department hosts events that bring awareness to suicide prevention. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 24. The department holds the event with the hope of shedding light on this taboo and often stigmatized topic.
For more information on upcoming events hosted by the department, visit secure.rec1.com/FL/pasco-county-fl or the department’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PascoParksFL.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

Published October 18, 2023

Fran Garner, left, and Stephane Sorbel make their way down the trail at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City during the third annual Stomp Out Suicide Trail Run, hosted by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department, on Oct. 7.
Sharaya Hairston writes on a blank bib prior to the third annual Stomp Out Suicide Trail Run on Oct. 7. Runners were encouraged to write why they were running the 10K or 5K at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City. The event is held to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
A couple hundred runners, of all ages, participated in the third annual Stomp Out Suicide Trail Run, hosted by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department on Oct. 7.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alise Minichino, who finished second in the 5K with a 23:52, tries to catch her breath as she receives her finisher medal from Dade City Mayor Pro Tem Normita Woodard.
Gamora, and her owner, Jessica Sohngen, finish up the Stomp Out Suicide Trail Run 10K in 54:16 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City on Oct. 7.
Each participant received one of these medals for completing either the Stomp Out Suicide 10K or 5K or both trail runs at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City.

Zephyrhills Police receives law enforcement accreditation

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The Zephyrhills Police Department achieved accreditation from the Commission of Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) on Oct. 5, according to a city news release.

The police department underwent a voluntary three-day assessment in August by a team of assessors from the CFA.

They examined all aspects of the agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.

The Zephyrhills Police Department received accreditation from the Commission of Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) on Oct. 5, after the department underwent a voluntary three-day assessment examining all aspects of the agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. (Mike Camunas)

The police department must comply with numerous standards — many of which are critical to life, health, safety and best practices to receive accredited status, the release stated.

The milestone reflects the department’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and excellence in law enforcement. It has demonstrated its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of law enforcement professionalism and adherence to best practices, the news release says..

Chief Derek Brewer expressed his gratitude for the teamwork and dedication displayed by the department’s officers and staff throughout the accreditation process. 

“Achieving accreditation from the Commission of Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation is a significant milestone for our department,” Chief Brewer said in the release. “It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to excellence in law enforcement and our dedication to providing the highest level of service to the Zephyrhills community.”

Homelessness ordinance passes
The City of Zephyrhills has passed a new ordinance aimed at addressing the issue of homelessness throughout the town.

The new ordinance makes it unlawful to sleep or camp in public and certain private places.

Ordinance No. 1471-2, which passed 4-0, was written by Chief Brewer, in the hopes of “giving officers another tool in the toolbox” to “make contact” with individuals who may be trying to sleep and camp on “any roadway, street, alley, access road, median or embankment” and “public parks, grounds or facilities.”

The City Council welcomed this ordinance, as it tries to firmly, but compassionately, address the homelessness issue in Zephyrhills. Brewer reiterated to the council that the ordinance wasn’t about “writing violations to those without addresses” but instead as a way to speak with the individuals and “provide them with (homelessness) resources they might not even be aware of.”

Published October 18, 2023

Dade City approves 2023-2024 budget

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The City of Dade City approved a budget of more than $40 million for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The budget was approved at the Sept. 26 City Commission meeting.

The City of Dade City finalized its budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024 at $40,008,600, a decrease of $985,750 or 2.4% from the previous budget. (Mike Camunas)

The new spending plan represents a decrease of $985,750 or 2.4% from the previous budget.

This deviates from the 2022-2023 budget, which had a 64% increase (nearly $25 million), and included many of the ongoing projects throughout the city.

At the Sept. 12, 2023 City Commission meeting, the Commission voted to set the tentative millage rate at $7. The certified taxable value is $549,535,014 and at the millage rate, ad valorem tax revenues in the General Fund are anticipated to increase by $842,060.

Personnel costs are expected to be $9,038,125 or 22.59% of the total budget, an increase of $1,302,801 (16.84%) from the previous budget. This will create funding for nine new positions, the negotiation of a 3-year contract with the PBA (Police Benevolent Association), increased health care premiums, salary increases and associated retirement costs.

Operating costs are expected to be $5,878,185 or 14.69% of the total budget, an increase of $735,825 (14.31%) from the previous budget. The insurance crisis, inflation, and supply chain delays continue to impact operating costs.

Capital outlay and debt service, representing 62.72% of the budget, is anticipated to total $25,092,290, which is a decrease of $3,024,377. 

Major capital projects include the Morningside Drive Extension, design of the wastewater treatment plant, wastewater force main and lift station projects, splash pad, amphitheater, playground equipment and sidewalk/road improvements. This amount includes $3,371,785 collected from impact fees and system development charges that are held in reserve for qualifying capital projects.

City amends rental fees
The City Commission passed Resolution 2023-27, which amended rental fees for the exclusive use of parks and recreational facilities that was established in January 2008.

Commissioners held a series of workshops to discuss amendments, however, rental fees for parks and facilities usage are not increasing. Fees for the use of electricity will increase from $5 to $15 per hour for use of pavilions and from $16 to $25 per two-hour block for the use of ballfield lights.

Monies collected under this resolution will provide a revenue source to the General Fund.

Published October 18, 2023

Hay, now — Dade City’s painted bales are back

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One sign it’s time for fall in Dade City — painted hay bales have returned.

The hay bale at Agnes Lame Park, 14200 Ninth St., in Dade City, honors the true and tested fall tradition of pumpkin spice latte. It was painted by Patty Reese, Delanie Reese, Alissa Ross and Cassidy Welch for the Fourth Annual Dade City Hale Bale Painting Project. Six hay bales are stationed throughout Historic Downtown Dade City and will be on display through Nov. 12. (Mike Camunas)

The Dade City Center for the Arts announced the kickoff of its fourth annual Dade City Hale Bale Painting Project, which features six painted hay bales displayed at various parks and locations throughout the city until Nov. 12.

This is the fourth consecutive year that painted hay bales have been on display and the third year the center was able to provide sponsorships for them.

Sponsors include Florida Cracker Lunch on Limoges, Badcock Home Furniture, Dade City, Karatinos Law, PLLC, RX Care Pharmacy, and Lynch, Cotton & Associates.

Joey Wubbena, of Sumner Knoll Farms, donated the bales.

Local artists demonstrate their creativity through their designs on the bales. Most have a fall theme, but Kevin Taggerty’s bale maintained his American flag theme from previous years.

Lucy Avila, vice president of the Dade City Center for the Arts, said she and the center are glad this has become a staple in Dade City, as residents and visitors alike enjoy seeing the new designs each year.

Fourth Annual Dade City Hale Bale Painting Project
Details: Six painted hay bales are on display at varying parks and locations throughout the city and will be available for viewing through Nov. 12.

Artists/Locations:
Patty Reese, Delanie Reese, Alissa Ross and Cassidy Welch — Agnes Lamb Park, 14200 Ninth St.
Ryah Taggerty — Dade City Woman’s Club, 37922 Palm Ave.
Kevin Taggerty — Hardy Trail at Church Avenue, in front of 37800 Church Ave.
Diego Grant — Naomi Jones Park, 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Joey Wubbena — Price Park, 37415 Magnolia Ave.
Zoe Roland – Watson Park, next to the Community Garden, at North Avenue and Main Street, in Dade City
Info: Visit DadeCityArts.com.

Published October 18, 2023

The decorated hay bale at Price Park, 37415 Magnolia Ave., in Dade City, was designed and painted by Joey Wubbena, of Sumner Knoll Farms, who also donated the six bales that will on display throughout the city through Nov. 12.
Kevin Taggerty’s hay bale on the Hardy Trail at Church Avenue is a salute to America and patriotism and will be on display until Nov. 12

Regional MPO study gets green light from Pasco MPO

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has approved a memorandum of understanding involving  a study to examine a potential merger of individual county MPOs to create a regional transportation planning board for Tampa Bay.

Currently, Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties each have a transportation planning body, which sets priorities for transportation projects within their counties.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey thinks Tampa Bay would be better served by a regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, rather than three independent county MPOs.
A study will be done to study the benefits and disadvantages of merging the independent boards.

But the Florida Legislature has mandated a study outlining what would be the benefits and drawbacks of shifting to a single regional MPO.

On one hand, creating a regional MPO would harness the political power of a region of more than 3.5 million people, and expectations to grow by 1 million more over the next 20 years.

On the other hand, representatives of areas with fewer people are worried priorities for their communities could be lost in a big regional shuffle because they would not have a big enough voice to be heard.

The issue has been debated on and off for months, but the deadline for complying with the legislature’s mandate is approaching, so members of the Pasco MPO agreed to support a memorandum brought before them at their Oct. 12 meeting.

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

Pinellas and Hillsborough counties also have transportation planning boards.

Historically, there have been issues in getting all three boards to agree on how to resolve regional transportation issues.However, not everyone is sure combining the three into a regional board is the best approach, either.

The Pasco MPO technical advisory committee raised concerns about language in the memo of understanding. They said verbiage within the memorandum creates the impression all of the MPOs are on the same page regarding the need for a regional MPO.

The committee said it would prefer more neutral language.

Some Pasco MPO board members also wondered if the language should be changed.

But David Goldstein, Pasco’s senior assistant county attorney, said the memo is not legally binding. 

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, a proponent for a regional approach to transportation planning, said acting as a region would create a much better opportunity to attract federal funding for regional transportation needs.

Starkey said she understands small communities may worry about not being represented, but she believes David Gwynn, secretary for the District 7 region of the Florida Department of Transportation, would make sure no one is overlooked.

Pasco Commissioner Ron Oakley, who has argued for and against the regional approach during previous discussions of the issue, said he believes creating the regional MPO will bring more to the area to address transportation issues.

He’s also confident funding will continue to come into individual counties for projects. Banding together, however, will give the region a much stronger position to compete for federal funds, Oakley said.

Dade City Commissioner Scott Black said he understands the concept of strength in numbers, but said it’s important to ask questions before merging the MPOs.

Starkey said she’s sure there will be considerable discussion before a final action occurs.

Published October 18, 2023

Compromise approved for house in Lake Padgett Estates East

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At one point it wasn’t clear what was going to happen to the house at 4537 Victoria Road, in Land O’ Lakes.

The home was built with improper setbacks, which sparked neighborhood disputes, led to lengthy public hearings and made the house impossible to sell without securing a variance from county requirements.

The Pasco County Commission has overturned the county planning board’s decision to reject a variance request for the house at 4537 Victoria Road, in Land O’ Lakes. The approval requires the applicant to take some additional steps to improve the property’s drainage and landscaping. (Mike Camunas)

SoHo Builders sought a variance from county standards, but that request was denied on a split vote by the Pasco County Commission.

The applicant then appealed the planning board’s action to the Pasco County Commission.

The county board took up the issue on Sept. 5, but delayed the request until its Oct. 10 meeting, to give SoHo Builders a chance to work out issues with a neighbor, make some improvements to its plan and seek approval from the Lake Padgett Estates East Property Owners’ Association before bringing it back to commissioners.

Those actions were taken, and the county board overturned the planning board’s denial of the variance.

Under the approved variance, the house can have a 20-foot front yard setback — instead of 25 feet — and it can have 8.5-foot side yard setbacks, instead of 10 feet.

The board’s action also requires the applicant to:

  • Provide gutters/downspouts to direct the water to the front culverts to correct drainage flow and install an underground advanced drainage system
  • Install a culvert
  • Plant two additional trees, bringing the total number of trees to three

SoHo Builders also has agreed with the homeowner’s association to complete an improvement project at the community playground, but that is a private agreement and the county cannot enforce private agreements.

During the Sept. 5 public hearing, Patrick Plummer, representing SoHo Builders, also mentioned he had worked out an agreement with a neighboring property owner.

For its part, the property owners’ association did not require any added architectural features or a reduction in the size of the garage, according to the backup materials in the county board’s Oct. 10 agenda packet.

Published October 18, 2023