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Pasco board sends Saddlebrook request to state for review

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A request to redevelop Saddlebrook Resort has cleared the first step in a lengthy county review process required before any redevelopment can occur.

The Pasco County Commission voted 4-1 to send a request by Miami-based Mast Capital to the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity and other state agencies for review. Commission Chairman Jack Mariano voted no.

The vote came after hours of discussion at the April 4 public hearing, where speakers offered testimony both for and against Mast’s proposed redevelopment of Saddlebrook.

During its prime, Saddlebrook was known internationally for excellence in its golf facilities, with its two Arnold Palmer-designed courses and for its tennis facilities and programs. But the resort, which opened in 1981, has fallen into disrepair and plans for redeveloping it have sparked debate. (File)

Saddlebrook, which opened in 1981, is situated off State Road 54, east of Interstate 75, in Wesley Chapel. It has been the training grounds of professional golf and tennis stars and was once widely known as a world-class resort.

But, by virtually all accounts, the resort has fallen into disrepair over the years and will need a significant infusion of capital to restore it to its glory days.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she’s pleased that Mast has stepped forward because other developers have looked at Saddlebrook and couldn’t get the numbers to work.

In broad strokes, Mast’s redevelopment plan has four parts: two areas are within Saddlebrook’s gated community and two are outside, flanking State Road 54.

Area 1 and Area 2 are outside of the gated community.

The plans for Area 1 call for 75,000 square feet of commercial retail/office, 465 multifamily units and 35 townhomes.

The plans for  Area 2 call for 25,000 square feet of commercial retail/office and 120 townhomes.

Area 3 and Area 4 are within the existing resort community.

Plans for Area 3 call for the preservation of the tennis courts and renovation of the clubhouse and resort area.

Plans for Area 4 call for the redesigned golf courses and relocation of the driving range, which currently fronts State Road 54.

Under Mast’s plans, development along State Road 54 would include a mixture of commercial and residential uses in a walkable area featuring neighborhood parks, patio seating, a wide boulevard and other amenities, according to the proposal.

Plans also call for dual left-hand turning lanes leading out of the resort’s main entrance. Plus, an additional right-in/right-out access would serve the new development along State Road 54.

The developer also has committed to extend Vision Road H, to provide another connection into Saddlebrook.

Those speaking in favor of Mast’s request said the company’s investment is needed to save Saddlebrook, and they praised the company for seeking to make Saddlebrook a competitive resort.

They also praised Mast for agreeing to a private deed restriction that guarantees the golf course land will be protected. 

Those speaking against the plan questioned its compatibility with the existing community’s character. They raised concerns about the disruption of the quiet nature of the resort community.

They predicted that increased traffic within the community will pose hazards to people who are walking, biking or using golf carts on the area’s roads.

They also criticized Mast’s plan for lacking a specific timeline for the resort’s renovation.

Some also spoke out against Mast’s plans to replace the two 18-hole golf courses with three nine-hole courses. They said there would be too much distance between holes on the redesigned courses.

They disagreed with Mast’s assessment that a complete overhaul is needed to create a course that will attract today’s golfers.

Despite the disagreements, it appeared that Mast is making progress in building support for its plan.

More speakers stepped forward to support Mast’s plan than had done so at previous public hearings.

The transmittal of Mast’s request for state review is a preliminary step in the process.

Before Mast can proceed with the proposed redevelopment, it needs to secure approval of its requested comprehensive land use change and approval of a companion master-plan unit development (MPUD) zoning.

Each of those requests must go to a public hearing before the Pasco County Planning Commission and then come back to the county board for a final vote.

In voicing support for the transmittal at the April 4 hearing, Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman noted he would support the transmittal, but made it clear there are issues that need to be worked out.

Specifically, Weightman said he’s not “not overly enthusiastic” about the proposed multifamily units or the proposed density of Mast’s plan.

Published April 12, 2023

Rezoning will allow day care and restaurant in Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning to change residential zoning to commercial on 8.39 acres, on the south side of Catfish Lake Road, north of State Road 54.

The planned uses for the property are for a day care center and restaurant, according to the county board’s April 4 agenda packet.

The applicant has volunteered to record a deed restriction to prohibit these uses: car washes, gas stations, vehicle service stations, repair garages, stand-alone drive-thru restaurants and self-storage facilities and free-standing recreational vehicle and boat storage.

A 5-foot sidewalk along the northern property boundary also must be installed before the final building inspection of the first building, according to deed restriction.

Reima Investments LLC/Apple Enterprises Trust are listed as the applicants on this zoning.

In another agenda item, the county board approved a task order with Trias Construction to construct a new Pasco Fire/Rescue logistics building next to Fire Rescue Station No. 15, at 2036 Chesapeake Drive, in Odessa.

The project has been added to the 2015 Penny for Pasco Project List and the approved task order is in the amount of $744,840.

The task order covers the construction of a 60-foot by 80-foot metal building and concrete foundation. It also provides for the installation of metal pallet racks that will help organize the storage area, according to the county board’s April 4 agenda packet.

The county board approved the list of 2015 Penny for Pasco Projects on July 10, 2012, but additional funds were available and Fire/Rescue requested to add this logistics building.

The projected time of completion is 120 days from the notice to proceed. 

In other action, the county board:

  • Accepted the donation of a solar-powered public Wi-Fi hotspot with full installation, worth approximately $6,000, for Stanley Park, at 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Lacoochee. The donation was made by the Florida Engineering Leadership Institute Class of 2021, through its charitable program, “Connecting Communities.”
  • Approved Downs & St. Germain Research Inc. for the Visitor Profile and Economic Impact Study for Florida’s Sports Coast in the annual Not to Exceed (NTE) amount of $29,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023; $73,000 for FY 2024; $58,000, for FY 2025; $73,000 for FY 2026; and $58,000 for FY 2027, for a cumulative total NTE amount of $291,000. The agreement is for a one-year contract term, with four automatic one-year renewal terms, unless canceled in accordance with the solicitation documents.

Published April 12, 2023

Students get plugged into EVs

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They’re trying to change climate change, one electric vehicle at a time.

Sixth-graders in Environmental Science class at Learning Gate Community School in Lutz recently took seven broken mini EVs and rebuilt them.

It was an ambitious undertaking, led by the school’s Environment Science teacher, Steven Warrener.

He wanted his students to see what sustainable transportation looks like, how electric vehicles are made, and to experience, firsthand, how the vehicles can be fixed easily and cheaply.

Learning Gate Community School in Lutz and its sixth-graders took seven broken mini electric vehicles (EVs) — in this case, scooters — and rebuilt them as part of a project in Environmental Science Teacher Steven Warrener’s class. The goal was to show the kids what sustainable transportation looks like, how electric vehicles are made, and see firsthand how the vehicles can be fixed easily and cheaply. (Courtesy of Steve Warrener)

“It ended up being pretty fun,” Warrener said. “I wanted the kids to learn the ins and outs of sustainable transportation.

“We basically got seven broken mini EVs and rebuilt them — and I thought it was pretty a fun project in part because I ride some of them around school whenever I have an excuse and I hear the younger kids say, ‘I can’t wait to get to sixth grade’ and that is a big part of why I do it.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ​greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation account for about 27% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor. Between 1990 and 2020, GHG emissions in the transportation sector increased more in absolute terms than any other sector.

With that in mind, it was easy for the students to see how important it was to find alternatives to combustible-engine vehicles and implement EVs more into daily use.

As Teresa Gallegos put it, “(EVs are) a form of sustainable transportation that is very much needed,” while Cam Kirouac added about the project, “Hopefully, we can be one step closer to stopping climate change.”

Warrener said he “trolled Facebook Marketplace and local pawn shops and negotiated for very cheap — and occasionally free — used and broken electric scooters, trikes and motorcycles” and ended up with four scooters, two motorcycles and a drift trike.

Learning Gate Community School Environmental Science Teacher Steven Warrener sits on one of the seven mini EVs he and his students saved and rebuilt.

After pairing students in groups, Warrener had the kids research and experiment with their group’s vehicle to figure out what was broken and repair it. Through a multi-week process, they learned how electricity and motors work, how to test voltage and identify problems, and then made the repairs themselves with parts Warrener had purchased.

The students were allowed to customize the paint job and clean up the EVs for their second life.

“We were successful with six of the vehicles,” Warrener added. “Two we put in an auction fundraiser, two will be giveaways and one will stay for next year’s class.

The remaining motorcycle is a work in progress, as efforts are made to see if a record can be set for the fastest Razor MX350, Warrener said.

They will attempt this by taking the motor from the electric go-kart built earlier this school year. That will produce about eight times the power of the original motor, in hopes to top the unofficial speed record of 34 mph, the teacher said.

Because of the project, students were able to easily grasp the important lessons Warrener set out to teach.

“I learned that EVs can help the world because they don’t require gasoline,” Elijah Bossio said. “That’s really important right now.” 

Added Alexander Bailey, “I learned how to make an electric vehicle and you can buy a broken thing for a cheap price and fix it for a profit. I think more people should do that.”

Warrener agrees.

“EVs are really just a motor, throttle, controller and battery,” he said. “There are so few pieces and they are so simple (that) gas cars really have no chance of competing in the future.”

Published April 12, 2023

Connerton to add apartments, office space

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This sign indicates the zoning meeting that was coming up on a request for a new mixed-use development within Connerton, a master-planned community in Land O’ Lakes.

The Pasco County Commission unanimously has approved a request that will allow 10,000 square feet of office and retail uses, along with 56 multi-family units on a 2.4-acre site, south of Pleasant Plains Parkway, about 550 feet east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, in Connerton.

Connerton is adding a mixed-use office, retail and multi-family project on a 2.4-acre site, south of Pleasant Plains Parkway, east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. (Mike Camunas)

The development site is behind the nearby Publix Super Market.

In approving the proposed change to Connerton’s master-planned unit development (MPUD), the county board also agreed to reduce the required parkland to .24-acre because of the site’s small size.

Staff recommended approving that request because the applicant, DR Reddy Commerce Center LLC, has agreed to increase the amenities within the park by adding three park elements and constructing a sidewalk extension on Pleasant Plains Parkway to connect to the existing multi-use trail, according to materials in the board’s April 4 agenda packet.‬

Because the site is small, the project will be a mixed-use, vertically integrated development.

The owner of the multi-family and residential site will be in charge of maintenance.

County staff identified 19,644 square feet of commercial entitlements within Connerton Village I MPUD, of which 10,000 square feet will be used for this project.

Published April 12, 2023

Getting medieval in Dade City

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Huzzah!

Tennille McKinney, from South Carolina, walks around with her steampunk wings at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival that was held for more than a month in Dade City. (Mike Camunas)

The lively cheer of nearly 100,000 attendees and patrons to the 45th Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City could be heard for miles, as the annual, vibrant, extravagant and outlandishly fun event finished out its celebration with a bang on April 2.

Gates opened to welcome visitors to join the Villagers of Fittleworth, a magical 16th Century European village, in seeing exciting live-action entertainment, such as jousting, magicians, jugglers, jesters and mimes. Plus, a majority of visitors adorned full fantasy-eccentric costumes as they strolled through booths and attractions set up on the fields just outside Withlacoochee River Park.

Set in 1524, the seven-weeks long festival also has reenactments of King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine Parr, who even have nearly authentic English accents.

It was the third year the festival was held in Dade City, a move that happened in 2021 after decades of being at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), near the University of South Florida.

Starting on Feb. 18, patrons were able to come out to the festivals on the weekends, each with a different theme. The final weekend was the swashbuckling adventures of pirates, but there were still several festival goers that stuck with a medieval theme, from knights to wenches. There were plenty of other costumes, as well, from Norwegian vikings, to witches and wizards, to fairies and pixies. There were plenty of cultural references, such as Game of Thrones and the Knights of Templar, too.

For more information on the festival throughout the year, visit BayAreaRenFest.com.

Published April 12, 2023

Brianna Vorbeck, of Oldsmar, sits upon the Iron Throne — er, Throne of Swords — at the 45th Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City on April 2 as her husband, Travis, snaps a picture. The yearly festival, which runs from mid-February to early April brought the magical 16th Century European Village of Fittleworth to the wooded fields off Auton Road, just outside Withlacoochee River Park. (Mike Camunas)
Brooksville resident Aaron Dykstra gets the ‘full Viking’ hairdo from Tralynn Manning on the last day of the 45th Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City.
Full-contact, armored live jousting was one of the many entertainment attractions at the 45th Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venice residents Andrea Meythalier, left, and Joe Monach walk around the 45th Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City in full costume while enjoying an adult beverage from the magical 16th Century European Village of Fittleworth.
Dozens of spectators watch in amazement as a Bay Area Renaissance Festival performer braved the Wheel of Death in Dade City on April 2.
Bella the Bard performs at the 45th Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City on April 2.

 

Urban garden possibilities grow

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Urban gardening — think of rooftop container gardens, vertical plant walls, communal veggie plots — is growing in popularity.

Vertical plant walls are gaining popularity as a way for residents to grow an urban garden.

It turns out that Tampa is one of the top cities in the country for urban gardening, according to LawnStarter.

The organization compared the 200 largest U.S. cities based on four categories, broken down into 12 metrics, looking for cities with easy access to gardening space and supplies, an ideal climate, and a big gardening community, according to a news release.

According to the key stats, the top 10 cities best for urban gardening, ranked from first to 10th, are: New York, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; Tampa; Seattle, Washington; Miami; Austin, Texas; Pasadena, California; and Orlando.

New York boasts the most community gardens with 775. By comparison, Atlanta, the second-highest, had 120.

To view rankings on community gardens, growing seasons, yard square footages, nurseries and gardening supply stores, and gardening clubs, visit https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-urban-gardening/#rankings. 

Only two states, Florida and Illinois, have “Right to Garden” laws on their books, the release said.

Residents should check local ordinances or homeowners association rules to see if there are any restrictions for on-property gardening.

Published April 12, 2023

A closer look at the cost of eggs

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Eggs, peanut butter and beans traditionally have been an affordable source of protein.

They are high in nutrition and low in price, so families have relied on these as a protein option that’s more affordable than meat.

But egg prices have been in the news lately — with volatility in prices that’s been noticeable at the grocery store. 

In early March, I noticed quite a price range at Aldi.  

Egg dishes, such as egg fried rice, offer a tasty menu choice for households. The price of eggs has been volatile, largely due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Looking forward, though, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects egg prices to drop this year. Even at $4 a dozen, eggs offer an affordable source of protein. (Courtesy of Shari Bresin)

One weekend, a dozen was $2.31 — cue the excitement that the price was finally coming down. Then, the following weekend, it was $4.91 a dozen — cue the disappointment.

Now that we’re in April, I thought I would ask my coworker, who works in livestock and agriculture, what exactly happened and what we can expect going forward.

She shared these insights.

Egg prices have created quite a bit of sticker shock at the grocery store during the past year.

Egg prices in 2022 were up 138% for the year. 

Agricultural economists explain that it’s a supply and demand issue.

Egg production has been reduced, with the avian influenza (HPAI – highly pathogenic avian influenza) cited as the major source for the reduction.

This highly contagious disease is carried by wild birds from place to place. 

Wild birds often show no signs of the disease; domesticated birds, such as commercial turkeys and chickens, are highly affected. 

The best practice for commercial poultry producers is to follow very strict biosecurity protocols. 

This includes disinfection of shoes and equipment coming into poultry houses; no visitors in barns; and securing barns and feed storage areas to prevent wild animals from having access.

More than 50 million birds were lost in 2022 due to the disease — which requires flocks to be depopulated (slaughtered) to prevent further spread of the virus. 

There was a “perfect storm” over the holidays — a large drop in egg supply due to significant farm depopulation in the fall matched with larger demand during the holiday baking season.

Inflation also impacts production costs for farmers. 

Egg producers are faced with higher feed costs, while at the same time they’re paying more for fuel to transport eggs and operate their farms.

There may be some bright news in sight, however.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects that wholesale egg prices will decline this year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the food index for eggs fell 6.7% in February. 

The drop in egg prices will depend on how much flock depopulation occurs and how quickly farms can recover. 

It requires a little more than 20 weeks for hens to lay eggs from the day they are hatched, so it takes a bit of time for egg supply to stabilize.  

Meanwhile, chicken for meat consumption hasn’t seen such price hikes.  

These chickens, called broilers, don’t have as long of a life cycle (only about 5.5 weeks to 9 weeks, versus 2 years to 3 years for egg producers).  

This shorter life span gives the virus less time to spread.  

Plus, broilers are of a different breed, which happens to be less susceptible to the virus.  

There were some impacts, and price fluctuations, caused by the avian flu, but to a lesser extent.

At the end of the day, if eggs cost $4 per dozen, each egg costs 33 cents. 

So, eggs are still a bargain for a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, including protein, vitamin B12, biotin, iodine, selenium, choline, riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) all 9 essential amino acids, and more.  

As for the cholesterol? Yes, you will find cholesterol in eggs. 

But recent research has found that dietary cholesterol (such as from egg yolks) doesn’t have much influence on total blood cholesterol; instead, it’s the saturated fat and trans fat that has more influence.  

Most cholesterol comes from our liver, not from our diet.

Saturated fat in the diet can cause your liver to make excess cholesterol, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

It’s still a good idea, though, to practice moderation. The average healthy person can have up to seven eggs per week without any harmful effects, but of course, keep in mind your overall diet and how much saturated fat you consume. 

Those with heart disease should limit egg consumption to just a few per week.

There are various ways to prepare eggs, of course and they can make a good ingredient in various dishes — such as fried rice, for example. Here’s a recipe for you to try, from MyPlate.gov.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County. Pasco County Extension Laura Bennett, Livestock Agent for Pasco County Extension contributed to this column.

RECIPE

Egg Fried Rice

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 3 1/2 cups brown rice, cooked (or white rice)
  • 1 cup chicken breast, ham or pork, cooked (and chopped)
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables, cooked (and chopped)
  • 2 green onion (sliced)
  • soy sauce or hot sauce (optional, to taste)

Directions

  • Wash hands with soap and water.
  • Heat pan. Add 1 teaspoon of oil. Add eggs and scramble.
  • Remove cooked eggs and set aside.
  • Add the rest of oil (2 teaspoons) to the pan. Stir-fry (cooked) rice, breaking up lumps by pressing rice against the pan.
  • Add cooked meat and/or vegetables. Stir-fry until heated.
  • Add green onions, reserved eggs and sauce to taste. Serve hot.
  • Cover and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Published April 12, 2023

Prospect of new state law prompted avalanche of case filings

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In the days leading up to HB 837 becoming law, the number of civil case filings surged in Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Avlarez-Sowles’ office.

During the month of March of 2022, the clerk’s office received 911 civil case filings, compared to 3,572 during March of this year, according to clerk office figures. That represents a 292% increase.

“I don’t think anyone could have anticipated that law firms had so many cases pending that weren’t filed yet,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

She doesn’t think anyone — the legislators, the governor, the clerks or judiciary — would have expected that “there would have been such an influx of cases” in anticipation of the legislation becoming law.

“The numbers are astronomical,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles said a flurry of civil case filings is likely to create delays, until a solution can be found to address the unexpected backlog.

A legislative analysis of HB 837 describes it as tort reform, which will have impacts in numerous areas. Those impacts include: Reducing the statute of limitations for negligence actions from four years to two years; providing for distribution of proceeds where two or more third-party claims arise out of a single claim, exceeding policy limits; limiting applicability of provisions relating to attorney fees in certain actions against insurers; and, other changes.

The avalanche of filings occurred, as attorneys took actions to preserve rights that were enshrined in the previous law.

Even after the initial surge, delays are expected as the new cases generate pleadings and result in an uptick in trials, the clerk said.

Processing these cases as they work their way through the system is expected to create too much work for existing staff to handle.

She’s already tapped into her overtime budget and there’s a limit to how much is available, she said.

“With a circuit civil case, the lifespan is usually two to five years. So, this amount of cases coming in, in a brief period of time, is going to impact not just my office, but also the judicial system,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

“Once the case is created and the case moves on, there’s going to be a lot of pleadings that are going to be filed in that case. That’s going to create additional work, as the case moves through, to conclusion. So that workload is going to last for the next two to five years.”

“It’s a lot larger of a workload than we typically see,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

On average, her office typically gets about 12 circuit civil filings a day. But during the recent surge, on one day alone, there were 828 filings.

Beyond having her employees work overtime, the clerk said she’s also looking at the possibility of redeploying staff within her office.

“We can utilize and move teammates from our criminal department and from our records department and train them on the civil processes to docket subsequent pleadings, and that’s something that we are talking about as a team, in my office,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

But that, too, has its limits.

“That has a domino effect,” she explained, noting care must be taken to avoid creating backlogs elsewhere.

Clerks across the state, as well as the judiciary, are facing the same problem, she said.

She said she understands the chief judges have met to talk through the situation.

“They won’t feel it just yet, because my office is the one creating the case, but they’re going to feel it really soon.

“We only have a certain number of civil judges and those cases will be divided amongst those judges, and their workload will probably be too much for each one to manage, until those cases run their course, in our system,” she said.

She said the judiciary and clerks are going to need to work together to determine what the influx of cases means throughout the system, and how it can be addressed.

“It’s kind of too early to tell, just yet, what the impact is on all of our offices. “We’ve got to do a little legwork (to do) on our end, first,” she said.

The clerks and judiciary faced a similar situation when there was a flurry of filings during the foreclosure crisis, Alvarez-Sowles said.

“When we had the foreclosures, they brought in senior judges — which are judges who are retired — and they brought them in to process some of those foreclosure cases.

“We may need to seek appropriations from the state — (for) maybe hiring some temporary employees to help us process these cases through the system,” she added.

The judiciary may need extra funding, too.

She expects the clerks and judiciary to work together to seek a solution.

“We’ll be able to show what it is that we’re going to need, and I think the legislators and the governor are going to be very supportive of that,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

Alvarez-Sowles said she’s not sure what to expect next because the new law also reduced the statute of limitations in these civil cases from four years to two years.

It’s too early to know how that change will affect the volume of cases, she said.

The Pasco clerk said her primary message is a request to the public to be patient, as efforts are made to resolve this issue.

“We’re working through it,” Alvarez-Sowles said. “But delays are going to be inevitable, at least until we can get a handle on everything.”

Published April 05, 2023

Dade City to add splash pad in budding park

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A new amenity is on its way to Dade City.

The Dade City Commission on March 28 approved the designs for a splash pad that will be featured at the start of the Hardy Trail, next to the town’s visitor center.

City Manager Leslie Porter told The Laker/Lutz News construction will begin in mid-April for the fun and family friendly splash pad, which is expected to be completed by next January.

The Dade City Commission voted on March 28 to approve the final design for the splash pad (rendering shown here) that will be built next to The Spoke Visitor Center at 37800 Church Ave. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

“I am thrilled to see the splash pad moving forward,” Porter said. “This is a great opportunity to provide a family friendly activity. It’s vital the city provides avenues for children to engage with each other and have fun in a safe environment.

“Currently, there are limited opportunities in Dade City for youth to expend their energy,” she added. “The community looks to neighboring areas for similar amenities and soon this will be right next door.”

The splash pad will be located next to The Spoke, Dade City’s Market Place and Visitor City, which sits at the start of the Hardy Trail, at 37800 Church Ave.

The splash pad project is budgeted at $1.2 million, using American Rescue Plan Act funding.The projected cost of the splash pad is $800,000, while $557,720.16 has been earmarked to build the adjoining restroom/mechanical room.

The Hardy Trail is a paved, multi-use recreational trail in Dade City. The mile-long path is 12 feet wide. It follows the alignment where a portion of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad line ran through Dade City. (Mike Camunas)

At roughly 2,500 square feet, the project will be built by Borregard Construction and include such water features as Aqua Dumping Bucket, Aqua Water Castle, aqua features such as jellyfish, a crab and butterfly and even an Aqua Kumquat Tree, as a nod to the city’s fruit — celebrated in its annual festival.

Prior to a final design, the City Commission asked residents to vote on water features.  

“We placed display boards in the lobby of City Hall for voting,” Porter said. “Over one hundred second graders from Pasco Elementary voted as part of a field trip. The overwhelming favorite features are the dump bucket and the crab.”

Porter said she expects the splash pad to get a more formal name — and possibly a sponsorship.

She said care was taken in choosing where the splash pad should go.

“This location was chosen because of its proximity to downtown and the Hardy Trail,” Porter said. “The park is large enough to accommodate the splash pad, inclusive playground, amphitheater and more.

“The splash pad will be the first of several new amenities the city plans to build in the new park in the future to create an active community space,” she added.

“But the splash pad has been an anticipated amenity for many years here in Dade City and we are very excited to see it finally come to be.”

Published 05, 2023

Taking a deeper look at causes of traffic deaths in Pasco

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When the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization discussed new performance standards for safety in February, they asked staff to bring back a more detailed look at traffic-related fatalities.

That’s exactly what happened at the board’s meeting in March.

Tina Russo, active transportation planner for the Pasco MPO, detailed causes for crashes in Pasco County, based on information gleaned from long-form crash reports completed by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and local police departments.

Lane departures, distracted drivers, drowsy drivers, speeding, lack of seatbelts and other factors contribute to the number of serious injuries and deaths that arise from traffic crashes in Pasco County, according to statistics gathered by Tina Russo, who works for the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Collisions also frequently occur at intersections. (File)

The idea was to take a closer look at who is being killed on Pasco County roads, who is using the roads and what can be done to prevent crashes, Russo said.

The analysis also took a close look at crash types.

It’s important to know how the crashes are happening, to help prevent them from occurring, she explained.

Russo refuses to call the collisions “accidents,” instead referring to them as crashes.

Increased vigilance and changes in behavior are needed to reduce the death toll on Pasco roads, she said.

The data reveals that Pasco’s crash rate is higher per capita than the state average and higher per capita than in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, too, Russo said.

Pasco County’s population in 2020 was 561,000 in 2020 — nearly 100,000 more than it was a decade before, Russo noted. “Of course, we’re higher than that (now),” she added.

The crash reports show that most of the collisions are occurring on major roads — such U.S. 19, U.S. 301, U.S. 98 and Interstate 75.

“Little (Road) is becoming very similar to (U.S.) 19, unfortunately,” Russo said.

Pasco County Commissioner Gary Bradford cited an inherent problem with information contained on the long-form crash reports.

“There are five law enforcement agencies in the county. Do they all get the same training in filling out these forms? Yes.

“Would I absolutely 100% trust these forms? Absolutely not,” Bradford said. “You have to look at them, sometimes, with a jaundiced eye.”

Russo told the MPO board that while FHP and the local police departments fill out the long-form crash reports, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office does not.

She also detailed the types of behaviors that are killing motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists in the county.

The largest number of crashes in 2022 occurred at intersections, according to the report. There were 4,486 wrecks at intersections, resulting in 308 serious injuries and 33 deaths.

Lane departures are a significant cause of crashes, Russo said. The report shows 3,246 crashes involving lane departures, resulting in 236 serious injuries and 45 fatalities.

“Half of that number is someone driving off the road, with no seatbelt on, hitting a fixed object,” Russo said.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman said he’d like to see data involving the safety of roundabouts.

A memorial has been created on State Road 52 near Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

Russo offered this observation: “We do know there are less fatalities and serious injuries at roundabouts because of lower speeds. There may be more crashes, but they’re at much lower speeds.

“As a cyclist, I love roundabouts,” she added.

The age of drivers also plays a big role in Pasco’s crashes.

It may not be all that surprising that teenagers were involved in 1,504 crashes in Pasco in 2022, resulting in 104 serious injuries and 12 deaths, according to the Pasco MPO’s report.

But the numbers for aging drivers were even higher, with 2,624 crashes, resulting in 207 serious injuries and 23 deaths, the report shows.

Reducing traffic-related fatalities also involves changing behaviors, she said.

“It’s a scary trend to think that people aren’t wearing their seatbelts again,” Russo said.

Just two changes would result in far fewer deaths from traffic crashes, she added.

“If people wore seatbelts and helmets, our fatality rate would probably drop 50%,” Russo said.

Resolving traffic safety issues takes a collaborative commitment — involving traffic operations, project management, planning and public education, among other things, Russo said.

Improving safety also requires a shared effort by everyone who travels through the county — in vehicles, on bicycles, on motorcycles and by foot, she said.

“Our No. 1 goal is saving lives,” Russo said.

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

Published April 05, 2023